Little Bandit is a group devoted to the songs of Alex Caress, who's making classic country music with a sassy and subtly political twist. Caress first impressed Nashville audiences as part of the dream-pop band Ponychase, which was led by his sister, Jordan. More recently, he's played keyboards in breakout punk-blues star Adia Victoria's band. Alex Caress' own music recalls both Dolly Parton and Stephin Merritt of Magnetic Fields. It's highly evocative and slightly hilarious. In Little Bandit, he offers an openly queer perspective on classic country music and the themes of heartache, big dreams and drinking at the bar. Little Bandit, a group of local all-stars who've played with Margo Price, Nikki Lane and Sturgill Simpson, joined us at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville. Hear the full session in the player above.

HEAR THE COMPLETE SESSION AND MORE ON NPR MUSIC HERE