Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, the powerhouse husband-and-wife duo otherwise known as The War and Treaty, have described themselves as “bridge-builders.” It’s a reference to the way they use their music to challenge genre boundaries and foster inclusivity in the country and roots music scenes historically dominated by white artists. And their efforts have paid off—in 2023, they earned GRAMMY nods for Best New Artist and Best American Roots Song, and were nominated at the CMA, ACM, and CMT Music Awards, becoming the first Black artists nominated for ACM & CMA Duo of the Year.
After the pair married in 2011, they began developing their signature sound: one rooted in faith, love, and resilience. Michael turned to music while deployed in Iraq with the U.S. Army, and relied on it as a lifeline through PTSD after returning home. Between Michael’s soulful storytelling and Tanya’s classical and gospel stylings, it’s hard not to get goosebumps when listening to their performances.
“You know, we’ve been gifted this opportunity to spread love, and to spread hope and peace in our music, and so it just really [positions] me to have a higher level of gratitude every day,” says Tanya. “You start out writing this little song, little melody, and you think like, ‘Wow, this is really cool,’” Michael adds, “but you don’t think, ‘This is gonna be the soundtrack to somebody’s life.’ And that changes your perspective; that journey changes you.”
Since their 2018 debut album, “Healing Tide,” the pair have collaborated with the likes of Emmylou Harris, Zach Bryan, and Miranda Lambert. Their fourth studio album, “Plus One,” was released in February 2025, via Mercury Nashville. Produced by Michael and recorded at legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, the album features 18 tracks that blend country, gospel, bluegrass, soul, and pop.
To support the new album, they kicked off the Plus One Tour in March 2025, with over 30 North American dates, including stops at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, Irving Plaza in New York City, and The Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C. We caught up with them in Austin for a day of exploring the city’s iconic hotspots in a Toyota Sequoia 1794 Edition, stopping at Allens Boots on South Congress to browse for hats before a rousing performance with their band at Antone’s Nightclub.
Sounds of the Road showcases behind-the-scenes moments and candid conversations with some of the country’s most exciting new artists. In Season 6, we explore three iconic destinations with three emerging artists: Austin with husband-and-wife duo The War and Treaty; Los Angeles with indie-pop-meets-folk-rock singer Joy Oladokun; and Chicago with Latin Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Ela Taubert.
