Interview by Paul Salfen
Photo by Jennifer Troche Walsh
In 2024, Atlanta-based rockers Collective Soul—Ed Roland (vocals/guitar), Dean Roland (rhythm guitar), Will Turpin (bass/background vocals), Jesse Triplett (lead guitar/background vocals), and Johnny Rabb (drums/background vocals)—celebrated their 30th anniversary with a whirlwind of milestones. From a critically acclaimed double album to their first-ever documentary, the band’s passion for music and camaraderie continues to fuel their journey into 2025. With their “Summer Unity Tour” alongside +LIVE+, Our Lady Peace, and Greylin James Rue hitting The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, TX, on August 13, Collective Soul shows no signs of slowing down.
A Milestone Year and a Historic Recording
Last year marked a triumphant chapter for Collective Soul with the release of their 12th studio album, HERE TO ETERNITY, a sprawling double-disc featuring 20 new tracks. Recorded at Elvis Presley’s Palm Springs estate—the only other music artist besides Elvis to record at this historic landmark—the album captures the band’s signature blend of heartfelt lyrics and soaring melodies. “It was super cool,” Dean Roland shared in a recent interview with AMFM Magazine’s Paul Salfen. “You can’t help but feel [Elvis’s] presence, especially those first few days. It was like stepping into a time warp.”
The album, released on May 17, 2024, via Fuzze-Flex Records, debuted impressively on the charts, hitting #14 on Billboard’s Top Current Album chart and securing top spots on Luminate’s Hard Music, Alternative, and Rock charts. Standout track “Mother’s Love,” featuring a guest appearance by Paul McCartney’s guitarist Brian Ray, showcases Ed Roland’s introspective songwriting with lyrics like, “Guess we’re all misunderstood / To what we can and what we should / Still I find above / All my strength from Mother’s Love.” The accompanying lyric video, directed by Adam Blank, includes a heartfelt cameo from Ed and Dean’s mother, Nette Roland.
Give Me A Word: A Documentary Legacy
Adding to the anniversary celebrations, Collective Soul released their first-ever documentary, Give Me A Word: The Collective Soul Story, on July 8, 2024, via Trinity Content Partners. Directed by Joseph Rubinstein and produced by Greg Richling and Jonathan Sheldon of Pfonetic, the film offers an intimate look at the band’s three-decade journey. Filmed during the HERE TO ETERNITY sessions at Elvis’s estate, it blends exclusive recording footage with archival clips from the band’s early days in their parents’ basement to their rise to fame with hits like “Shine,” “December,” and “The World I Know.”
“We’ve never been a band that looks in the rearview mirror often, so making this documentary was a fun chance to reflect,” Dean Roland told Salfen. “From playing ‘Shine’ in our parents’ basement to sharing the stage 30 years later with my brother and bandmates, I’m grateful for the adventure.” Bassist Will Turpin echoed the sentiment: “Filming was a lot of good times. Watching Give Me A Word made me feel so fortunate to share this musical journey with lifelong friends.”
The documentary, available on DVD, Blu-ray, and VOD platforms like Amazon, iTunes, and Vudu, peels back the curtain on the band’s creative process, family ties, and the sacrifices behind their success. “It’s not glitz and glam,” Dean noted. “There’s lost relationships and death along the way, the things you sacrifice to get to a certain place.”
The Secret Sauce: Authenticity and Fun
With over 15 million albums sold worldwide, six Gold or Platinum records, and seven #1 singles, Collective Soul’s longevity stems from their unwavering authenticity and joy in performing. “We’ve always just kind of done what we wanted to do,” Dean explained. “We’re our own worst critics, trying to challenge ourselves to be authentic.” Their motto, “serve the song,” drives their creative process, ensuring every melody and lyric rings true.
This ethos shines through on HERE TO ETERNITY, with tracks like “Mother’s Love,” “Bluer Than So Blue,” and “Scope Therapy” becoming live favorites. “We’re on this tour opening with ‘Mother’s Love,’” Dean shared. “It’s a fun one to play live.” The band’s ability to balance their classic hits with new material keeps their shows fresh, even after 30 years. As Dean put it, “As soon as it’s not fun, we probably should stop. But we’re still enjoying it, so we keep going.”
The Summer Unity Tour: A Texas Homecoming
The “Summer Unity Tour” promises to bring Collective Soul’s infectious energy to fans across the country, including a stop in Irving, TX, on August 13. Sharing the stage with +LIVE+, Our Lady Peace, and Greylin James Rue, the band is excited to reconnect with their Texas roots. “I got good friends in Dallas and Austin,” Dean told Salfen. “Our father was with the seminary in Fort Worth, so there’s some good nostalgia, family ties, friends—that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Crafting a setlist from their extensive catalog is no easy task. “It’s a little bit of a puzzle,” Dean admitted. “We definitely play the songs people know, like ‘Shine,’ but we also throw in a couple of new songs and even some musical pieces that haven’t been developed yet, just to keep ourselves creatively curious.” This balance of nostalgia and innovation ensures every show feels like a celebration.
Advice for the Next Generation
For aspiring musicians, Dean’s advice is simple yet profound: “If you feel like it’s your purpose, you gotta be willing to jump all in. You have to be tolerant to endure the downs.” Reflecting on the band’s bold move to go independent after leaving Atlantic Records, he called it their “Hail Mary moment.” “We saw the landscape changing with digital music,” he recalled. “We jumped off the ledge, and fortunately, it’s paid off.”
What’s Next for Collective Soul
Never ones to rest on their laurels, Collective Soul is already looking ahead. After touring with Hootie & the Blowfish in 2024, the band hit the studio to record a new album, set for a limited release on Record Store Day in November 2025. “We just keep creating,” Dean said. “We’re having fun with it.”
As they gear up for their Texas show and beyond, Collective Soul remains a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and staying true to oneself. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering them through Give Me A Word, their story is one of heart, humor, and timeless rock ‘n’ roll.
Catch Collective Soul live at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, TX, on August 13, 2025. For media requests, contact Live Nation at livenation.com/pressrequests. Check out Give Me A Word: The Collective Soul Storyon DVD, Blu-ray, or VOD, and stream HERE TO ETERNITY on all digital platforms.
