Content Guide

Blood Brothers

Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia are back with their second album as The Blood Brothers, and honestly, it feels like these two were meant to make music together. After their debut knocked everyone’s socks off last year, grabbing the top spot on the Billboard Blues Chart and snagging a Blues Music Award, “Help Yourself” drops September 19th and promises to be just as explosive.

The chemistry between these guys is something you don’t see every day in the blues world. Zito, the nine-time Blues Music Award winner from St. Louis, brings his raw honesty and recovery story to every note he plays. Castiglia, the New York born, Florida raised guitar slinger who learned his chops touring with Junior Wells, matches that intensity with his own brand of traditional blues fire. When they first teamed up in 2023, it wasn’t just another collaboration – it was two masters of their craft finding their perfect musical partner.

Recording in the heartland

This time around, they headed to Shock City Studios in St. Louis, Zito’s old stomping grounds, to capture their sound. The album includes tracks like “Help Yourself,” “Alive,” “Can’t Be a Prophet,” and “Soulard Serenade,” each one showcasing what makes this partnership work so well. The band features Scot Sutherland on bass, Lewis Stephens handling keys, and both Matt Johnson and Ray Hangen sharing drum duties.

The track “Alive” carries special meaning for Zito, written about his girlfriend Jackie after the devastating loss of his wife Laura to pancreatic cancer in 2023. It’s this kind of raw, personal storytelling that sets The Blood Brothers apart from other blues rock acts. These aren’t just songs – they’re pieces of their lives set to music.

Beyond the studio

What makes this whole thing even more interesting is their touring situation. The Blood Brothers are currently on the road with none other than Bill Murray, playing legendary venues like Red Rocks, Sony Hall, and The Ryman Auditorium. Yeah, you read that right – the comedy legend has been performing with the blues duo after meeting them through mutual connections. It’s the kind of unexpected collaboration that somehow makes perfect sense when you see it live.

Gulf Coast Records, which is actually Zito’s own label, has been crushing it lately. The independent Texas-based operation has become a powerhouse in the blues world, with multiple artists hitting the Billboard Blues Chart and the label’s collaborative approach creating some of the most exciting releases in recent memory. When your label owner is also one of your biggest stars, you know the focus stays on the music.

The real deal

Both Zito and Castiglia bring decades of experience to this partnership. Zito’s journey through recovery and personal tragedy has shaped him into one of the most authentic voices in blues today. His 16-plus solo albums and his work with Royal Southern Brotherhood established him as a major force long before The Blood Brothers came together. Castiglia’s story is equally compelling – from his early days backing Junior Wells to his recent discovery of a daughter he never knew existed, his music comes from a place of genuine life experience.

The current blues scene is thriving with artists who understand that authenticity beats flash every time. The Blood Brothers represent exactly what fans are looking for: real musicians with real stories, backed by the kind of chemistry that can’t be manufactured. Their debut album proved they weren’t just another collaboration – they were something special.

“Help Yourself” is available for pre-order now at www.officialgcrstore.com in digital, CD, and vinyl formats. If their first album was any indication, this one’s going to be another chart-topper. The Blood Brothers have found their groove, and the blues world is better for it.

Rising above the noise

In a music industry where manufactured partnerships are common, The Blood Brothers stand out as the real thing. Two established artists who didn’t need to collaborate but chose to because they found something magical when they played together. That’s the kind of authentic connection that blues fans can hear in every note.

The Blood Brothers aren’t just making music – they’re proving that when two masters of their craft join forces with genuine respect and shared vision, the results can be extraordinary. “Help Yourself” looks set to cement their place as one of the most exciting partnerships in modern blues rock.

Get the album here.