Sometimes, the smallest moments unlock the deepest truths. For Americana artist Sundi Jo, it was an innocent question about her favorite cereal that sent her spiraling back to childhood. Her answer—Apple Jacks—brought back the smell of Saturday mornings, the sound of laughter, and the memory of her father before addiction took hold. Out of that flood of recollection came Before Whiskey, a song that doesn’t just revisit the past—it redeems it.
At its heart, Before Whiskey is a story of grace. Sundi Jo paints her memories with raw detail: yellowed walls, fishing trips, and cereal on the counter. These aren’t just nostalgic snapshots—they’re anchors in a story about love, loss, and the fragile moments that survive even the hardest seasons. “It’s about grace,” she shares, “learning to see the good again after years of only remembering the hurt.” That sentiment grounds the track, transforming it from a lament into a quiet act of forgiveness.
Produced by Brad Hacker in Colorado and featuring guitarist and harmonica player Kris Tiscareno in Oklahoma, Before Whiskey leans into a stripped-down, acoustic-driven sound that lets the story breathe. The production feels lived-in and intimate—every note serves the narrative. You can almost hear the silence between chords, that sacred space where reflection and release coexist. It’s a song that feels like sitting at a kitchen table long after midnight, where pain softens into peace.
One lyric stands at the center of it all: “He’d kiss my cheek with his milk mustache, for a moment we both lived free.” It’s simple, tender, and devastating—an entire life captured in a single line. That image defines Sundi Jo’s songwriting style: unflinching honesty delivered through the smallest human gestures. She doesn’t dramatize; she remembers. And in doing so, she gives her listeners permission to do the same.
Before Whiskey marks the beginning of Sundi Jo’s next chapter. The song has inspired a forthcoming concept album centered on redemption, due in 2026, and fuels her upcoming tour. It’s not just another release—it’s the foundation of a creative rebirth. For anyone who’s ever loved someone through the long shadow of struggle, Before Whiskey offers a simple but powerful truth: even in broken stories, there’s still goodness worth holding on to.
Stream Before Whiskey on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/0bqPVXSESv39ECrNlfJGya?si=996203338cc24e3d
