Annie & The Caldwells

It is truly a remarkable story: in 1975, the US soul and gospel band The Staples Jr. Singers recorded their only album "When Do We Get Paid". Almost 40 years later, David Byrne (Talking Heads) discovered the record, which was described as "sacred music" by "Die Zeit", and re-released it. In the meantime, singer Annie Caldwell had retired to private life, started a family, opened a clothing store and finally formed a new band with her husband, sons and daughters: Annie & The Caldwells. The band's debut album was released in March 2025 on Byrne's label Luaka Bop and was immediately included in the Guardian's "Best Albums of 2025 so far" list. Their energetic mix of spiritually influenced gospel and powerful funk is considered an incomparable live experience. Oh yes: the Caldwells' clothing store is still open five days a week, at least when the family is not on tour. And all the band members still have regular jobs: as forklift drivers, beauticians, primary school teachers or ambulance drivers. You can't get more grounded than that.