THE DUTCH DELTA — Joseph Turner & The Dudes of Hazard announce the release of their new single, “Backbone,” out September 4, 2026. A gritty, uplifting acoustic roots-rock song driven by acoustic guitar, foot stomps, handclaps, harmonica, and gang vocals, it sits somewhere between Americana, acoustic blues, and Southern roots rock — with a raw, earthy spirit reminiscent of Colter Wall and a simple message at its heart: keep digging, keep moving, and when the devil comes knocking, put him right back in his cage.
“Cuz I’ll keep diggin’ with ma backbone kickin’. Hell, they can’t put me down.”
That line pretty much sums up the spirit of the song.
⇒ Read our review for “Backbone” here.
“Backbone” starts quite literally from the ground up. The track opens with the sound of a shovel hitting the earth — which becomes part of the rhythm itself, giving the song its distinctive work-song pulse, before stomping feet, claps, bass, and acoustic guitar join the groove. From there it settles into a driving acoustic roots-rock feel that draws from blues, Americana, and old-fashioned work-song energy.
The shovel, it should be noted, is entirely real. During the initial recording Turner used necklaces to approximate the sound of digging — then went one step further and recorded an actual shovel, which became part of the final rhythm. The moment the beat and gang vocals came together was when the song truly came alive.
Lyrically, “Backbone” is about the kind of resilience that isn’t heroic or glamorous — the kind that simply means getting up every morning and keeping going. Digging through the dirt. Taking the hits. Laughing at the trouble when you can. Finding enough stubbornness to carry on when the road gets rough. The recurring gang vocals give the song a communal, almost front-porch quality — the whole crew joining in to keep the rhythm moving.
The arrangement keeps that sense of physicality throughout. Acoustic guitars provide the foundation while handclaps, foot stomps, and the shovel percussion give the track an almost homemade, live-in-the-room character. A harmonica solo and acoustic guitar solo add to its dusty Southern character before the song kicks into a double-time stomp-clap section that pushes the energy up and gives the final stretch a celebratory feel.
Despite its message of perseverance, “Backbone” doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s humour in the lyrics and a mischievous streak running through the performance, making it feel less like a motivational speech and more like a few friends standing around after a long day’s work, picking up their instruments and deciding they’re not done yet. A pick-me-up, not a sermon. A playful, hard-working anthem for anyone who needs a little grit and a reason to get back at it.
Joseph Turner & The Dudes of Hazard is a brand new indie and alternative outfit that your folks would call “pretty good actually” after a couple of beers.
Built around acoustic guitars, sharp songwriting, and a love for atmosphere, the project blends indie, dark Americana, and alternative influences into songs that feel both road-worn and alive. There’s dust in the air, endless roads ahead, and enough emotional trouble in the trunk to snap the suspension.
Turner writes from the Dutch delta and records much of the material himself, drawing on a background in rock bands while keeping one foot firmly planted in acoustic songwriting. The result is a sound that can feel fragile in one moment and raw in the next — balancing cinematic tension with a more grounded, natural side.
The Dudes of Hazard are a rotating group of friends and collaborators who show up when they’re needed, adding their own character to both the recordings and the live shows. That loose, open setup gives the project its personality: unpredictable, honest, a little reckless, but always ending up back on the road when the dust clears.
Glad you’re here. Buckle up, partner.
