Presenting Thelma & James, the Americana duo transforming pain into melody and making waves in Nashville - Atwood Magazine.

      MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge engage in a discussion with Atwood Magazine about their new band, Thelma & James, how collaborating revitalized their creativity, and the sense that their debut EP is fated to happen.

      “Happy Ever After You” – Thelma & James

      MacKenzie Porter (as Thelma) and Jake Etheridge (as James) have been creating music separately in Nashville for a decade. Porter launched her first album, Nobody’s Born With A Broken Heart, in 2022, while Etheridge has been independently releasing EPs and writing for the band The Common Linnets. Their first single as a duo, “Happy Ever After You” (released in January through Big Loud Records), emerged from a night last December when Porter felt directionless in her music and career and asked Etheridge if they could create something together to reignite her creativity. They hadn’t collaborated in ten years, but as soon as they did, this song came pouring out.

      In their poignant breakup anthem, “Happy Ever After You,” they sing, “I got a hole in my heart damn near the size of Texas and I think you left it.” This heart-wrenching song blends folk, country, and Americana, brimming with raw emotion. Their verses recount the memories tied to a relationship that fell apart in their hands, leaving them holding onto its fragments. “I got them words you said still ringin’ out, ‘I love you babe, but it’s too late now.’” The vivid details in the verses paint a clear picture, much like snapshots displayed on a dusty coffee table; it's no coincidence that the song's artwork features a photograph of someone clutching another photo.

      There’s a sense of resignation in the lyrics, amplifying the sadness of the song. The harmonies between Porter and Etheridge in the chorus shift from resignation to longing, with Etheridge's voice expressing aching vulnerability as he sings the hook, followed by the subdued acknowledgment of “but I got no happy ever after you.”

      This is the track that thrust the duo into the limelight, earning them unexpected recognition from artists like John Mayer, Brandi Carlile, and Luke Combs for their genuine and heartfelt performance. The music video gained millions of views on TikTok in a short time, with an impromptu clip turning into a viral sensation and landing them a record deal with Nashville's Big Loud.

      Building on this momentum, Thelma & James released “First Love,” which can be seen as a reflection of a time before “Happy Ever After You,” when everything felt right, and they were in love. The verses remain specific, focusing on the nuances of being in love.

      The current single from the duo pivots away from the soft instrumentation to embrace swampy Americana and bluegrass. “Chainsmokin Memories,” released in early May, exudes a fiery sensuality. The instrumentation is robust, and Porter and Etheridge’s vocals intertwine, transitioning from husky softness to raw intensity. The tempo and rhythm draw a parallel to The Civil Wars’ hit, “Barton Hollow.”

      Atwood Magazine had the chance to chat with MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge of Thelma & James during their EP recording process while balancing their roles as parents. We discussed the formation of the band, their songwriting journey, and what listeners can anticipate from them in 2025. With heartfelt harmonies and passionate spirit, Thelma & James is just beginning their journey, and if these initial tracks are any indication, their narrative will only deepen.

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      :: listen or purchase Chainsmokin Memories here ::

      :: connect with Thelma & James here ::

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      A CHAT WITH THELMA & JAMES

      Atwood Magazine: How did you come up with the name Thelma & James?

      MacKenzie Porter: Thelma is my middle name, and James is Jake's legal name. Both are names from our families, so when brainstorming for the band name, we decided to use our real names.

      With your different musical tastes and independent releases, would you say Thelma & James combines your sounds, or is it something entirely unique?

      Porter: The sound of Thelma & James is an ideal fusion of both our styles. We didn't aim for a specific sound; we just started writing together, and it naturally developed into our unique sound. Jake definitely contributes the indie vibes, while I bring the country influence.

      What inspired you to start writing songs together again?

      Porter: We hadn’t collaborated on a song in over 10 years, and one night in December, I was feeling lost with my career and solo music. I asked Jake to write with me again because I needed to spark my creativity. Writing songs is therapeutic for me, and at that moment, I required some therapy. We shared that song online, and within the week, it led us to a record