The Stray Lions

The Stray Lions, an indie rock band from Roanoke, Virginia, began in 2019 as the personal bedroom project of songwriter and frontman Sullivan Smith. Originally performing under the name Sullivan Smith & Stray Lions, the project grew from lo‑fi DIY recordings and a rotating circle of friends into a collaborative creative outlet, playing local shows with an ever‑shifting cast before settling into its first true lineup.

By 2023, the band had welcomed contributions from a wide community of musicians, including Austin Nicely*, Bailey Mann*, Jacob Noozby*, Ryan Importico*, John Pence, Justin Davilla, Jarrett Murano, and Tyler Wood. Members of this era* went on to record the band’s full‑length debut, Lost in Dreams at the End of Everything, released in June 2024 to growing acclaim for its sweeping melodies, atmospheric textures, and raw, intimate lyricism.

Following a period of lineup changes and creative recalibration, The Stray Lions regrouped in late 2024 to record the single “Do You Love Me” with producer Max Gowan — a session that reignited the band’s sense of direction and possibility. From this moment of renewal emerged the current lineup: James Cox, John Cox, and Kenny Vaughn, with contributions from Aaron Jacks, Cam Delk, and returning collaborator Tyler Wood. Together, the refreshed group continued to play select shows while shaping the next evolution of their sound.

Known for their hazy, emotionally resonant songwriting and intimate live performances, The Stray Lions blend dreamy indie rock with candid, introspective storytelling. Looking ahead, the band is preparing to release their follow‑up, Small Talk in Stereo, due out on Blank Verse Records in Fall 2026.

Extravafrench - “With Cigarettes and Coffee (Yeah Yeah Yeah), The Stray Lions deliver a track that doesn't aim to make a splash, but rather to leave its mark. A song that accompanies rather than imposes itself. A musical moment that reflects life as it often is: hazy, bittersweet, and deeply shared.”

The Big Takeover - “This is my first taste of The Stray Lions, but it certainly won’t be my last. And if you like music that is purposefully scuzzed up, lived in, and slightly abrasive yet is as big and clever as indie-rock can get, both in terms of muscle and melody, I know that you will be keeping a close eye on them too.”

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