The Small-Town Teacher Toting a Big Country Sound

Keyland have spent the better part of the past year positioning themselves as the next big thing to break out of Oklahoma's ever-growing Red Dirt scene. This summer saw the release of "Knuckle Sandwich," the group's third studio album and their first full album since 2023. This high-energy album has been building a massive following in the state, thanks to their live performances and heartfelt lyrics.

Founded and fronted by Kyle Ross, Keyland have made a name for themselves as a staple in the Red Dirt scene. Ross, who is also an assistant high-school football coach and English teacher in Bixby, serves as the mastermind behind the group. Keyland has been building momentum over the past year, bolstered by opening slots for the likes of American Aquarium, the Droptines, and the Josh Abbott Band.

"It all kind of centers around decision-making, and indecision, and love looking more like a punch to the face sometimes," Ross said in an interview about the album's concept. "Sonically, it's fun and it touches on a lot of different areas between country and rock and Americana." This statement encapsulates the album's sound, blending the best elements of country, rock, and Americana.

"Knuckle Sandwich" was recorded at the Sonic Ranch, an analog studio just outside of El Paso, Texas. The studio has seen its fair share of notable acts, including Koe Wetzel, Vandoliers, Waxahatchee, and American Aquarium. Ross was effusive in his praise for the studio, saying it's a "legitimate, magical place down there."

Keyland has been building a strong following in Tulsa, particularly at the Mercury Lounge, a hotbed of Red Dirt in the city. Before the start of the football season, Ross and his band will be touring through Montana and Oklahoma, with stops in Colorado rock rooms the Belly Up Aspen and the Fox Theater in Boulder.

The "build it piece-by-piece" approach Ross has taken to his musical career so far marks an important milestone with "Knuckle Sandwich." His previous two studio albums, plus a series of EPs, were exclusively released to streaming platforms, whereas this full-length album comes with the added bonus of physical copies available at the merch table. Ross is thrilled at this development, saying, "I've put music out before, but this feels different. I've got real, tangible vinyl to sell. It's been fun to blue-collar, ma-and-pa them."