THE
UNITED
STATES
OF STRUGGLE
HEAR THE WHOLE ALBUM
BEFORE THE FIRST SINGLE DROPS
Be the first to get the new album from Brian Revels & the Heat Lightning
You can preorder the entire album directly from us and get all 11 songs as soon as the mastered tracks are ready, MONTHS before they start rolling out on streaming platforms and a few weeks before physical orders are shipped out.
AND your preorder helps pay for the record to get made in the first place.
Digital album, CD, cassette, vinyl, and limited Founding Supporter packages available.
What is the United States of Struggle?
First off: Hi, my name is Brian Revels. If you’re new here, the short version is I’m a Georgia-born, upstate New York-living, California-sober songwriter of the Americana variety. I’ve been crafting these songs of mine for almost 20 years.
I make music with my band, The Heat Lightning, and we’re deep into the making of our second album, The United States of Struggle.
This album is 11 songs inspired by my experience as an American and written to empower and commiserate with everyone out there who is struggling to make ends meet in an increasingly chaotic world.
There's a ton of great artists out there making their voices heard right now, and this is my .02, which, with inflation, is probably worth a buck or so.
ALBUM UPDATE #1We spent 5 days tracking the rhythm guitar, bass, and drums at Sampson Sound in Atlanta.
Kris Sampson, our talented sound engineer, is also responsible for all the photography on this page.
All pics by Kristopher Sampson of Sampson Sound.
Where my “Pure White Trash” people at?
There’s a song on this record called “Pure White Trash,” and there’s a decent chance that’s how you found us.
I’ve been posting clips of this song from our live sets, and apparently some of you want to hear the rest of it. If that’s you, I hope you’ll enjoy the full-length performance of it featured here, from our show at Wild Heaven Beer in Atlanta.
One clip of this song has racked up almost 80k views. Which is pretty fucking cool. But also creates a slight problem: I really gotta finish this record now. Whoops.
“Pure White Trash” is going on The United States of Struggle, along with 10 other songs. And I’m finishing the entire record before I release any singles.
So if you’re here for PWT, pre-order the album and you’ll get the whole thing directly from me when it’s finished while also helping me get it out there on those free streaming services faster.
What's NextNext up, we need to record the final vocals at my home studio, which requires replacing some equipment. After the vocals, we’ll be adding (and paying) the auxiliary players like lead guitar, keys, strings, etc. Each order gets us closer.
Help us make the record. Get it before everyone else.
When you preorder The United States of Struggle, you’re not just buying an album that will eventually show up on Spotify.
You’re helping us pay for the recording itself. And in return, you’ll get the finished album directly from me as soon as it’s done.
That could mean months before the singles begin rolling out. It could potentially mean a year or more before these songs reach the general public. I don’t know exactly how long it’s going to take.
That’s the honest answer.
I’m an independent musician with a family to take care of and I can’t throw unlimited money at a record. Without help this thing could take a very long time to finish. Frankly, it might not get finished at all. That’s where I’m at as I write this.
Your preorder helps change that.
Pick your format
Are you ready for a revolution and the soundtrack to it?
If so, we’re making a record for you. Be one of the first to own your own (signed) copy of our next album, The United States of Struggle. This collection of songs is meant to commiserate with and empower everyone who is sick and tired of being sick and tired here in the land of never-before-seen opulence, where you still have to “earn” your right to live with safety and dignity.
Every pre-sale order goes directly towards paying the talented musicians, engineers, and production folks involved in making this record. We’re tracking the songs in May of 2026 and are aiming to ship out the new vinyls within 6 months of finishing recording, so hopefully this will make for a great Christmas present.
The vinyl will be available way before all of the songs are out on streaming platforms, so get ‘em while they’re hot!
Get the new album, The United States of Struggle, on compact disc!
As a reminder:
All USS pre-orders will also come with the full digital album as soon as it’s ready
This is NOT THE FINAL art, just a placeholder—the final thing will be much cooler
We are still recording the record, hoping to have it finished by the holidays and delivered shortly into the new year (2027)
Get the new album, The United States of Struggle, on limited-edition classic cassette tape!
As a reminder:
All USS pre-orders will also come with the full digital album as soon as it’s ready
This is NOT THE FINAL art, just placeholder—the final thing will be much cooler
We are still recording the record, hoping to have it finished by the holidays and delivered shortly into the new year (2027)
This is what independent music looks like
Ain’t no record label behind this. Just some passionate people like me and you. I’ve been pouring my soul into songwriting for nearly 20 years. I don’t want to stop now. When you preorder this album, you’re helping me keep going. And for your support, you’ll get all the music long before anyone else and an exclusive look at how it was made. That’s a pretty good deal, I think. Thanks for supporting the struggle.
Become a founding citizen of
The United States of Struggle
11 songs. One album. You get it first.
Want to
start at the beginning?
Our first album, Jasper County Blues, was called “a collection of stories between the opening of saloon doors and the desperation of last call” by Immersive Atlanta. If you don’t want to wait for a pre-order, we have vinyls and CDs of JCB on hand, ready to be shipped out. Or, you can just stream it here.
