It’s not easy to craft songs that tap into the magic of classic country without sounding like a cookie-cutter cosplay of eras gone by. With their irresistible new single “Gonna Be Mine,” Ramona and the Holy Smokes successfully deliver a modern honky-tonk banger with substance.
Comprised of frontwoman Ramona Martinez, guitarist Kyle Kilduff, bassist Jay Ouypron, pedal steel guitarist Brooks Hefner, and drummer Porter Bralley, the Charlottesville, Virginia-based band has crafted a soundscape rooted in old school country and western, but unmistakably evolved. Anchored by Martinez’s charismatic, crystal-clear vocals, “Gonna Be Mine” is a foot-stomping, tongue-in-cheek tune rooted in smart lyrical storytelling.
“One day [while] driving through a wealthy area of Central Virginia, I spotted a big white house on a hill and started to sing, ‘That’s gonna be my house someday, that’s gonna be my house someday. I’m gonna find a way to make it mine,'”Martinez shares in a statement. Soon after, that moment of impromptu inspiration led to magic during a songwriting session with Maddi Mae Martin, where those three lines evolved into the infectious and playful track “Gonna Be Mine.”
“While the song was written as satire, I’ve found that I connect more to the lyrics than I initially realized,” explains Martinez.
“Gonna Be Mine” serves as the lead single and opening track off Ramona and the Holy Smokes, which is set for release on September 26. Co-produced by Kilduff and Kai Crowe-Getty, the record explores a myriad of complex human experiences, including the challenge of protecting your independence while learning to build new relationships, and the pains of breaking free from toxic cycles.
If you’re itching to hear “Gonna Be Mine” live in person, you might want to plan a quick trip to the East Coast. The band will make their way to multiple venues in Virginia and North Carolina through the end of August. Fans can find out more about the tour dates listed below by visiting Ramona and the Holy Smokes’ official website, where you can also pre-order physical and digital copies of the band’s upcoming LP while supplies last.
Watch the official music video for “Gonna Be Mine” below:
Ramona and the Holy Smokes 2025 Tour Dates:
July 31 – Norfolk, Va. @ The Annex
Aug. 16 – Richmond, Va. @ Northside Grille
Aug. 22 – Greensboro, N.C. @ Flat Iron
Aug. 23 – Weaverville, N.C. @ Eda’s Hide-a-Way
Aug. 30 – Sperryville, Va @ The Black Twig Diner & Bar
