Photo courtesy of Shovels & Rope

Charleston country and folk duo Shovels & Rope have the kind of sound that could move a lot of records. Funneling tenacious energy through ragged guitar shambles, the husband-and-wife duo of Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent fall easily into the same mold as The Avett Brothers or Mumford & Sons. They’ll soon get their chance to cash in on that potential. Following up their self-titled 2008 debut, the band will release a new LP, entitled O’ Be Joyful, via the Nashville-based Dualtone imprint on July 31. It’s a step up and in the right direction for Shovels & Rope. Their gritty and catchy songs will sit perfectly next to acts like Drew Holcomb and The Lumineers, and the restless road warriors are ready for the new exposure that the Grammy-nominated label could provide.

Below you’ll find a tour montage featuring O’ Be Joyful‘s title track. The band has also released a digital single, entitled “Birmingham,” which you can purchase on iTunes. Both songs find the band injecting electric blues into their attack. With Hearst’s rich country pipes taking the fore, the rock element makes these cuts feel a lot like Lorretta Lynn’s Jack White collaboration, Van Lear Rose, an aesthetic that serves the duo well.

Shovels & Rope will be on the road for much of the summer. You can find their tour dates here.