HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (TENNESSEE VALLEY LIVING) -On this edition of ‘Sounds of the Valley,’ Florence-based band Billy Allen + The Pollies is in the spotlight!
They didn’t plan to become a band. In fact, it all started nearly a decade ago when fate — and a bar — brought them together.
Jay Burgess, founding member of The Pollies (comprised of other bandmates including Spencer Duncan, Jon Davis & Clint Chandler), had already been making waves in the North Alabama music scene when he crossed paths with Billy Allen during a gig. What started as a chance encounter eventually turned into a musical spark that neither of them could ignore.
“I heard something, some kind of crazy vocal happening. And I walked around the top to see, like, who was singing. And it was Billy.”
— Jay Burgess, founding member of Billy Allen + The Pollies
That chance encounter eventually led to a pivotal night at the legendary Fame Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals. That session cemented the band’s identity and anchored their sound in a place rich with music history.
“I pulled the headphones out of my off of my head and I’m like ‘Oh my God, this is the sound I’ve been searching for this entire time.’ I walked into the booth. I said, ‘This is my band. This is my band’…”
— Billy Allen, founding member of Billy Allen + The Pollies
Billy Allen + The Pollies blend elements of Southern rock, soul, blues, gospel, and even psychedelic tones into a sound that’s uniquely their own. It’s raw. It’s rich. And it’s impossible to box into just one category.
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“…The main thing I think we’ve been known for is kind of more on the rock and indie-rock vein of things and getting with Billy, you know, I think all four of our minds were definitely thinking more in the soul area…”
— Jay Burgess
“…I’m like, let’s not play into the soul. The soul is going to come out. Anything I sing was rock country pop. It’s going to come out soulful because I can’t deny that church in me…”
— Billy Allen
The band began crafting that sound during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. With shows on hold and the world on pause, the group took the opportunity to write, reflect, and begin recording what would become their debut album.
After years of fine-tuning and growing their sound, “Black Noise” officially dropped Friday, June 27, 2025. The album is a culmination of hours of writing sessions, Muscle Shoals studio magic, and the band’s commitment to honoring the musical legacy of the region while carving out their own lane. They’re hoping that through their work, the lasting impact is that whoever is listening feels heard and understood, no matter what phase of life they may be going through.
“I want them to know that whatever’s going on, it’s OK. You can get through it; you can get past it. Your biggest problem is really not that big. If you stop and think about, it’s just a challenge that you can get over...”
— Billy Allen
Feel the raw emotion. Hear the story. Experience “Black Noise” — available now on Apple Music, Spotify, and other music streaming platforms.
The band kicked off a new tour that’ll hit several cities across the country in late June 2025, bringing their electrifying live show to both longtime fans and new listeners.
Follow Billy Allen + The Pollies on Instagram and Facebook for tour dates, exclusive behind-the-scenes looks, and more updates on their journey.
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