Jamgrass Band The Steppers Release ‘The Lights Are Always On’ Today

OKLAHOMA CITY JAMGRASS OUTFIT
THE STEPPERS
RELEASE 11-TRACK ALBUM
THE LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON
TODAY, JUNE 26

NASHVILLE, TN (June 26, 2026) — Today, Oklahoma City jamgrass band The Steppers release their 11-track album The Lights Are Always On. A fast-picking, hard-driving psychedelic string trio, The Steppers fuse sharp songwriting with exploratory musicianship rooted in bluegrass tradition and shaped by the freewheeling energy of improvisational rock, funk, and folk, continuing to push beyond genre boundaries while sharpening their identity as dedicated pickers within the modern string-band scene.

Composed of Jake Tobey (guitar, vocals), Theran Lantz (mandolin, vocals), and Lawson Popejoy (bass, vocals), the band stretches its sound from tender to ferocious with adventurous musicianship that refuses to sit still. 

STREAM THE LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON HERE.

Previously released singles from the project include, “Top End” (June 3), “24-Hour America” (May 6) and “Told You” (April 2). The Lights Are Always On marks a pivotal step forward for The Steppers, capturing a band fully settling into its identity both musically and professionally. Written within a concentrated creative window, the album reflects a more deliberate approach to songwriting and arrangement, emphasizing the drive, punch, and precision the group has long showcased onstage. Balancing tight composition with exploratory jams, the record positions The Steppers firmly within the modern jamgrass conversation while continuing to push its boundaries.

After introducing their songwriting on the 2025 debut album Head Over Hills and further refining their sound on Extra Special Regular, The Steppers have continued to evolve through relentless touring and a growing catalog of original music. Now, with their third full-length album, The Lights Are Always On, the Oklahoma band arrives with a sharper focus, greater confidence, and a clear sense of artistic direction. 

The Lights Are Always On marks a defining moment for The Steppers, capturing a band stepping fully into its identity both musically and professionally. Written within a concentrated creative window, the album reflects a more intentional approach to songwriting and arrangement, emphasizing the drive, punch, and precision the group has long showcased onstage. The record extends outward, balancing tight composition with exploratory jams, establishing The Steppers as serious pickers while continuing to push the boundaries of the modern jamgrass sound.

After introducing their heartfelt songwriting on their 2025 debut album Head Over Hills, The Steppers steadily refined their identity through subsequent releases and touring. The Lights Are Always On sees them return with a renewed focus and intention.

“Our past albums sounded mostly like songwriters with a string band twist,” the band explains. “This time we wanted to show the drive and punch we can have, establishing ourselves as real pickers within the scene.” Inspired by artists who honor bluegrass tradition while pushing it forward, The Steppers expanded their sonic palette by recording as a full five-piece, bringing banjo, mandolin, guitar, bass, and fiddle together with greater precision and purpose. The result, in their words, is “fast, fun, and punchy.”

THE LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON TRACKLISTING:
“24-Hour America”
“Green Lights”
“Top End”
“Pituophis Paradise”
“Told You”
“Perpetual Tones”
“Off The Rails”
“Days Gone By”
“Union Pacific Payroll”
“Everyone’s A Criminal”
“Long Way From Home” 

The Steppers are defining the sound they’ve been building toward since their earliest jams with The Lights Are Always On. Years of relentless gigging — from bars and pizza parlors to festival appearances alongside Greensky Bluegrass, Railroad Earth, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Del McCoury — have forged a near-telepathic connection between the musicians. The stage remains their natural habitat, where improvisation and audience energy merge into a shared flow state. 

CATCH THE STEPPERS LIVE:

^Supporting Remedy Tree

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit The Steppers website.

Above: The Steppers; Credit: Laura Bardi
(L-R: Jake Tobey, Theran Lantz, and Lawson Popejoy)

THE STEPPERS ONLINE:
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