I am in my last couple of weeks as an intern here at Rock the Joint Magazine, and this may well be the last of the bigger pieces I do. I’m connecting a little interview with a review this week for you, and my plan is to introduce you to Lavendine, the sister duo from Antlers, Oklahoma, who (their press tells me) blend heartfelt storytelling with a melodic pop-rock edge. Their upcoming single, “Who Cares If I’m Alone,” dropped on August 8 and delivers soaring vocals, gritty guitars, and emotionally honest lyrics that hit hard and stay with you. Produced and mixed by Grammy-nominated Mark Needham (The Killers, Stevie Nicks, Imagine Dragons), the track balances polished production with an authentic, energetic feel.
Sisters Jacy and Jana Ayers grew up singing in Oklahoma churches and have overcome major health battles that nearly derailed their music careers — but they turned those challenges into songs that have landed them multiple Top 25 Adult Contemporary hits and a growing fanbase who appreciate their honest, rock-tinged sound.
With that bit of background done, this is the little pre-review interview I did with the girls:
One of our great friends at the magazine is Shirley King (BB King’s daughter)—a truly wonderful lady in her seventies now, she has so many great stories! She always tells us that gospel music was behind the great singers, Elvis, Nina Simone, etc. I read that you both grew up singing in Oklahoma choirs; was gospel music part of your heritage too? And does gospel music continue to influence your music at all?
Jacy – Yes, our very first band was a traveling Christian group, and that foundation has never left us. Every step we take creatively is deeply rooted in our passion for God and the gift He’s given us to sing and write. We know without a doubt that our inspiration flows from our relationship with Him.
If you were recommending a track of yours for a new listener to hear first, what track would you be suggesting and why choose that one?
Jana – One of my favorite go-to songs of ours is “Who Cares If I’m Alone.” Being alone is one of the hardest things to face and overcome. We wrote this song for anyone who needs strength while walking through that season — a reminder that even in solitude, you’re not alone in the struggle.
That, of course is your new single. “Who Cares If I’m Alone?” has some nice layers of harmony, background melody and the switching vocals – can you tell me the story of this song?
Jacy – This song actually began as an upbeat melody paired with darker lyrics, but we quickly realized the mood needed to shift to truly reflect the message. With Mark Needham’s help, we pushed the track into a space that matched its emotional core. You can hear the struggle — and the breakthrough — woven into the melody and lyrics as the song unfolds.
I have always been a fan of the Wilson sisters (Heart). Did you two set out from early days to be a musical team, or were you in other bands and then drifted together?
Jana – Jacy and I feel the same. We absolutely love Heart. Creating together has always been at the core of what we do, but over the years, we’ve both explored collaborations with other musicians and writers—each in our own time.
Does the new single fit into a wider plan for releases (an EP/album in the future) or is it more a stand alone release?
Jacy – It’s one of several new singles from our upcoming EP, Deep Blue, set to release this October. We’re incredibly grateful and excited about these new songs and how everything has come together.
What plans for the rest of 2025 can you share with us?
Jana – We’re continuing to promote the album, and we’re always writing or co-producing new music. We’ve got several new tracks we’re currently working on.
Last of all, fun question – what was the last album you listened to, and did you enjoy it?
Jacy: We had “Heaven Helps the Man” by Kenny Loggins on repeat while driving through Nashville traffic on our way to the studio. That song gives us an instant jolt of energy every time! The whole “Footloose” soundtrack has become a road trip favorite for both of our families—it’s a classic we never get tired of!
And with that little dip in chat to the world of Lavendine, here is my review of the new single (and two other tracks of theirs that I recommend from their back catalogue).
My review:
“Who Cares If I’m Alone?” This is an atmospheric piece, a blend of haunting folk music with a drum sound and harmony singing. In the UK I would place this as Radio 2 friendly, a commercial sound with a touch of rock in the blend. The guitar break, for example, definitely kicks it and the girls have a polished pop/rock sound that I would happily drive along listening to happily on a Summers day.
“A Place on my own…somewhere you won’t be” – a song of sadness and melody.
“Rapture” is also absolutely worth a listen. This song is more of an older style of a rock/folk ballad that had me thinking of times past (like medieval) for some reason. It is an uplifting and strong track “like a thief in the night, though you don’t wanna be left behind…” I liked this one a lot and if you like a track that has different layers and is sung really well, then this one is for you!
“Waterless Cloud” I also found to be a strong listen. It has dual vocal and the tone is darker, the bass line strong and the beat is driving the car nicely. But there is also a lyrical video (I’ve placed it below) that is excellent in my humble opinion. It has this gothic, folk type of play. Give it a watch! (I’m a sucker for crows as well).
From Oklahoma roots to global airwaves, Lavendine’s “Who Cares If I’m Alone?” proves that raw emotion and polished pop-rock can walk hand in hand. If you’re looking for depth, harmony, and heart — this sister duo delivers. With their upcoming EP Deep Blue on the horizon, now’s the time to tune in.
And we hope you liked the feature, dear reader! If you did, please check out the other pages of the magazine; we have many great features, merchandise pages, shops, editorials and even a poetry page. Content is free here, but we work hard for you, and to support the magazine, please show your appreciation on the support button below and buy me a coffee!
Stream music from Lavendine here
By Tracy Nash
&
Benny (the Ball) Benson
a brief word about me! I am a new name here at Rock the Joint Magazine. I am a student taking journalism at University and I am doing an intern role here at the magazine over the Summer 2025 before starting properly at university. A thank you to Mark and Benny for giving me a chance to write full pieces and I look forward to doing some more up until September.
