Every now and then, a song hits you out of nowhere and you find yourself thinking: How have I never heard of this band before? That’s how it feels stumbling into the catalogue of Durand Jones & The Indications, the American R&B/soul collective carrying the spirit of 70s vinyl into the 2020s with startling clarity.
Formed back in 2012 by singer Durand Jones, drummer/vocalist Aaron Frazer, and guitarist Blake Rhein, the band came together in Bloomington, Indiana, through their shared obsession with dusty 45s and the craft of classic songwriting. What started as a side project while studying quickly became something much bigger, and by the time their self-titled debut got reissued in 2018, they were at the centre of the modern soul revival.
Why they sound both familiar and fresh
At their core, The Indications are about vibe. Think smooth falsettos, lush strings, and basslines that feel like they’re cruising slowly down a sunlit street. But it’s not nostalgia cosplay. Across their catalogue, you can hear them weaving Motown shimmer, gospel grit, and disco sparkle into songs that feel timely, not just throwbacks.
Their second record, American Love Call (2019), was a widescreen statement: politically charged soul that nodded to Marvin Gaye while speaking to now. By the time Private Space dropped in 2021, they were stretching further, folding in disco grooves and modern production tricks that landed them on dancefloors as easily as old-school playlists.
And in June 2025, they released Flowers — proof they’re still pushing their sound forward.
Community roots, global reach
Part of their early cult following came from an unlikely place: California’s Chicano lowrider community, who began spinning and circulating their tracks around 2016. In tribute, the band released Cruisin’ to the Park, later re-recording it in Spanish as Cruisin’ to the Parque with Y La Bamba. It’s this kind of cross-cultural resonance that’s made The Indications feel bigger than genre.
Live, they’ve built their reputation city by city, sharing stages with acts like Amenra, Brutus, The Bamboos, and labelmates from Pelagic and Dead Oceans. Whether in small clubs or big festivals, their shows carry that same warmth: intimate, communal, almost spiritual.
Durand and Aaron: a double frontman dynamic
One of the band’s secret weapons is its dual vocal core. Durand Jones’ earthy, powerhouse delivery balances against Aaron Frazer’s falsetto sweetness, giving the songs texture and range. That interplay keeps them unpredictable: a political anthem can flip into a love song, a disco jam can melt into a gospel moment.
It’s no surprise Frazer has stepped into solo projects (working with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys), while Jones has released Wait Til I Get Over (2023), a record about his Louisiana hometown. But when they come back together with The Indications, it’s magic.
Where to start listening
If you’re just diving in:
- Morning in America (from American Love Call) — sweeping, cinematic, heartbreaking.
- Witchoo (from Private Space) — disco energy, pure joy.
- Cruisin’ to the Park — slow, soulful, perfect for late-night drives.
- Flowers (2025) — their latest chapter, more expansive but still deeply human.
Durand Jones & The Indications aren’t chasing trends. They’re building a catalogue rooted in empathy, groove, and timeless craftsmanship. In a music landscape where attention spans are short, they make records that demand you sit with them.
So if you’ve just stumbled across a track and thought, Where has this been all my life? — welcome. You’re not late. You’re right on time.
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