Photo by Jape Media
With heartfelt lyrics and undeniable chemistry, Sons of Habit has burst onto the music scene and shows no signs of slowing down. The Owensboro-based band has captured listeners’ hearts with their breakout single “Madeline,” a soulful anthem that embodies the group’s authenticity and creative spark.
The band was formed in May 2024, and its members described the genre as a blend of folk, rock, and blues to create an authentic sound.
The band features Mitchell Douglas (lead vocals and guitar), Hagan Edge (bass, harmonica, piano, and backup vocals), Dalton Daniels (lead guitar and backup vocals), and Jeffrey Parish (drums). Recently, they added Noah Patrick, a guitarist and banjo player from McLean County, to round out their sound.
Douglas, who played solo shows for several years, described how the band’s formation felt organic.
“I was feeling a little burned out playing solo,” Douglas said. “In May, I invited Hagan over for a jam session. The next week, we brought in Dalton, and within 30 minutes, we wrote ‘Madeline.’ It was such a powerful moment that set the tone for everything we’ve done since.”
Edge, a multi-instrumentalist and Owensboro Catholic High School graduate, described joining Sons of Habit as a return to his roots.
“I played with Ole 60 for a while and loved the group dynamic, but I couldn’t commit full-time,” Edge said. “I started missing being part of a band. When Mitchell and I finally got together, it just clicked. Writing ‘Madeline’ was special – he’d come up with a chord progression, and I just filled in the lyrics line by line with him. By the end of the session, we had something incredible.”
For Daniels, music has been a lifelong passion. The Owensboro native, whose mother was Douglas’s 2nd-grade teacher, has been playing guitar since he was 5 years old.
“My mom told me I could get a guitar if I took piano lessons, so I did, and I’ve been playing ever since,” Daniels said. “I grew up in bands, mostly playing with older musicians who taught me a lot. I come from a classic rock and blues background, so this folk-influenced style is new, but I love it. It’s great to expand my musical horizons.”
Daniels noted the unique chemistry within Sons of Habit.
“I’ve never felt anything like this before,” Daniels said. “I’ve been in bands my whole life, but these guys are on another level. Within 30 minutes of our first session together, we wrote ‘Madeline,’ and I knew this group was special.”
Drummer Jeffrey Parish’s journey is equally remarkable. Although he had some childhood experience with drums, he had been learning guitar when the band formed.
“I was living with Mitchell and watched their jam sessions,” Parish said. “At the time, we didn’t have a drummer, so I decided to pick the drums back up. It came pretty naturally, and I’ve been working hard to improve. Playing with these guys has been the best time of my life.”
Parish said the group’s fast-paced success has been surreal.
“It’s all happened so fast,” he said. “At first, it was overwhelming, but now it’s just exciting. Music is such a big part of life, and being able to do this full-time would be incredible.”
The band’s name, Sons of Habit, pays homage to its roots.
“We came up with the name after a lot of debate,” Douglas said. “I was living in a trailer in Habit, Kentucky, so that inspired it. Plus, the word ‘habit’ can mean so many things to different people – good or bad. It felt right.”
Since forming, the group has played several high-profile gigs, including The Burl in Lexington, a venue they had set as a goal for their careers.
“We thought it’d take a while to get to The Burl, but it ended up being our second live show,” Edge said. “It’s such an iconic place, and we’re honored to have played there.”
The band’s upcoming plans include a February tour out west, opening for Shane Smith and the Saints, and a performance at Bridgestone Arena for the Nashville Predators.
“Bridgestone is such a historic venue,” Douglas said. “It’s incredible to be invited to play there. We’re just trying to soak it all in.”
The group credits its rapid success to the support of the Owensboro community.
“We couldn’t have done this without the people of Owensboro,” Parish said. “The way they’ve embraced us has been incredible. We’re excited to keep making music and hope to make our hometown proud.”
As they prepare to take their sound on the road, the band plans to remain grounded, focused, and ready for what lies ahead. OL
