A black-and-white photo of a four-piece band performing on stage, with a drummer, guitarist, and two other musicians, one of whom is wearing glasses and tattoos, under stage lights.

Their three-song debut EP, Cities of the Plain, was recorded with producer Steve Shirk at Shirk Studios and released in February 2025. The initial release (and accompanying music video) highlights TRI-COUNTY’s sound, featuring narrative songwriting, memorable guitar lines, and tight, rhythmic musicianship, mostly recorded live. Early shows include direct support for artists like Alejandro Escovedo, Lydia Loveless, and Reilly Downes.

Members have previously headlined or sold out venues throughout Chicago, toured nationally, and played festivals across the Midwest. With Martin Van Ruin, songwriter Derek Nelson earned comparisons to Bob Dylan and Neil Young by the Chicago Sun-Times, while American Songwriter Magazine named him one of “5 Chicago Songwriters You Need To Hear.”

——————————————————————-

TRI-COUNTY IS: Daniel Albert (bass, backing vocals), Derek Nelson (vocals, guitars), James Ratke (drums), and Shelby Pollard (lead guitars, backing vocals)

TRI-COUNTY is a new “middle-western” band made up of musicians with over 15 years in Chicago’s music scene, playing in groups like Martin Van Ruin, Company of Thieves, Minor Characters, and Great Moon. The band’s name honors guitarist Shelby Pollard’s grandmother, who rode with the Tri-County Suzuki Club, a motorcycle group in downstate Illinois.