Texas rock band Blacktop Mojo brings raw energy, explosive shows, and an old-school rock spirit that's turning heads from small-town bars to international stages.

When people think of Texas music, their minds may immediately go to the country genre. However, for rock band Blacktop Mojo, this couldn’t be further from the case.

 

Founded in 2012 by lead vocalist Matt James and drummer Nathan Gillis, Blacktop Mojo – a self-described “whiskey band” – is known for wrestling gators, firing shotguns, and blowing stuff up. The band’s origins stem from a meetup between James and Gillis at a local event, and after gathering bassist Matt Curtis, lead guitarist Ryan Kiefer, and rhythm guitarist Kenneth Irwin, the band would begin to work toward a Texas tour.

 

Blacktop Mojo found success in 2017 when they opened for Bon Jovi at the American Airlines Center after winning a contest the singer launched for local acts in each city of the tour. Blacktop Mojo then charted on Billboard and Mediabase Rock Charts in 2017, 2018, and 2019, with their songs ‘Where the Wind Blows’, ‘Dream On’, and ‘Can’t Sleep’.

 

Successes in the Charts

Blacktop Mojo’s success has culminated in a heavy touring schedule since 2017, as well as a UK Tour that’s occurring this March. With thousands of listeners on YouTube and Spotify, the band is quickly growing its presence across social media and in the rock circuit.

 

However, though their cover of Phil Collins’ ‘In The Air Tonight’ would help launch their careers, the band is more than happy to stay in their hometown of Palestine, Texas, though converting local country music listeners to their rock sound hasn’t exactly been easy. Lead vocalist Matt James has been especially forthcoming about drunk country fans “throwing things at [them]” during early shows.

 

Despite this, James has also admitted that they like to unwind to karaoke after shows, even going so far as to share that Celine Dion’s ‘It’s All Coming Back to Me Now’ is a classic they love to jam out to.

 

An Authentic Rock Experience

With a sound that is driven by the need to be authentic, Blacktop Mojo strives to create music that reminds old-school rock fans of the “glory days.”

 

“When you come see us,” says lead singer Matt James, “you’re seeing rock and roll the way it used to be. A group of people on stage playing their instruments right in front of your face. No laptops, no backing tracks. What you see is what you get.”

 

Inspiration for their songs also comes from historical figures, including Alexander the Great and the Spanish Conquistador Hernán Cortés.

 

As of 2024, the band has released five studio albums, which include I Am (2014), Burn the Ships (2017), Under the Sun (2019), Blacktop Mojo (2021), and Pollen (2024).

 

Catch Blacktop Mojo on Tour This March

For those who are craving a true rock experience this summer, Blacktop Mojo is touring across the United Kingdom. Show locations include venues in Glasgow Sheffield, Belfast, Dublin, and more. If you’re interested in catching one of their shows or purchasing their albums or merchandise, you can find more information about each venue on Blacktop Mojo’s official website.