Kevin Bronson on April 12th, 2018

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In the seven years since they blew like a desert breeze out of Arizona State University, Phoenix’s Jared & the Mill have traded in earnest, relatable rock ’n’ roll that’s a little bit country, a little bit folk, a little bit pop and, notably, virtually cynicism-free. They’re fond of the term “Western indie-rock” to describe their sound, and if they have a mantra, it’s this line from their bio: “Care about everybody. Like everybody everybody.” The quintet  — Jared Kolesar, Michael Carter, Larry Gast III, Chuck Morriss III and Josh Morin — has made three EPs and an album — a second full-length is in the oven — and made friends wherever they have toured. Which is just about everywhere, all the time.

It’s the latter part of being a musician that inspired the video for Jared & the Mill’s new single “Soul in Mind.” Cobbling together footage from the band’s time on and off stage, the video captures moments exhilarating and jubilant, funny and poignant. It’s perfect for a song that Kolesar wrote about a phone conversation he had with his mom, who filled him in on news from home. It was one of those talks that made the frontman realize how much he missed home and question whether the life of a touring musician was right for him.

The tune is from Jared & the Mill’s forthcoming sophomore album (coming later this year). The album was made in Joshua Tree with producer Ethan Allen (Ben Harper, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Gram Rabbit, The 88), with mixing by Ryan Hewitt and mastering by Dan Shike. And as feel-good songs go, you could hardly do better than Jared & the Mill’s heartfelt anthem that promises to “keep your soul in mind.”

||| Watch: The video for “Soul in Mind”