THE BLACK PEPPER BAND releases brand new single and music video
- Jennifer Janz
- 13 minutes ago
- 1 min read
Thursday February 26, 2026
Through love, loss, and everything between... It Kissed Me Tenderly stays with you.
The Black Pepper Band return with It Kissed Me Tenderly, a deeply affecting new release that captures the full weight of lived experience through masterful songwriting and timeless musicianship. Led by Darwin mainstay Charlie Powling—whose career spans over a decade of richly narrative-driven work—the band once again draw from the well of folk, country, rock and blues to deliver a song of rare emotional resonance.
Written by Powling and brought to life by a cohesive, seasoned lineup, the track unfolds with quiet authority before expanding into a powerful, unforgettable chorus. Backing vocals from Melanie Macauley and Erin Conaghty add warmth and lift, while expressive guitar work— including contributions from James (Gravy) Brown and Lindsay Masters—grounds the song in a classic yet immediate sonic landscape.
Recorded and mastered by Ward Hancock, every element is captured with clarity and depth.
" Powling’s storytelling is unflinching yet compassionate, culminating in a chorus that affirms life’s worth despite its hardships. "
At its heart, It Kissed Me Tenderly is a reflection on a life marked by love, loss, mistakes and redemption. Powling’s storytelling is unflinching yet compassionate, culminating in a chorus that affirms life’s worth despite its hardships.
The song’s defining line—gifted serendipitously by his daughter-in-law Sarah—provides a poignant emotional anchor that lingers long after the final note.
This is The Black Pepper Band at their most compelling: unified, heartfelt and unapologetically authentic. It Kissed Me Tenderly stands as a testament to enduring songwriting—honest, human, and profoundly moving.
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