“What is Peace?” drops May 1. The release show is Saturday night in downtown Rapid City.

All four members of Black Hills Soul spent time chasing music somewhere else before settling in the Black Hills. James and William Sautter went to Los Angeles in the late 80s and played in a blues band out there for years. Todd Tetreault was in the Bay Area for decades and was inducted into the South Dakota Music Hall of Fame in 2015 before eventually returning to Rapid City. Doug Phillips arrived from the St. Louis area a little over a year ago, drawn here after a long career as a recording artist and touring musician. He has brought new energy to the songwriting and had a significant hand in shaping the new album.

Their 2021 debut, Where It All Begins, came out of years of individual songwriting across all four members, landing somewhere between Allman Brothers grooves, Steely Dan chord sensibility, and southern rock. The band spent the pandemic finishing it while navigating shoulder surgeries, quarantine delays, and limited gig opportunities before finally releasing it on their own terms.

What is Peace? is the follow-up, out May 1. The release show is Saturday, May 2 at Murphy’s Pub and Grill in downtown Rapid City, 9 p.m. The set draws from both albums alongside classic rock and blues covers, with new merch and giveaways on hand for the night.

James Sautter said in an interview a few years back that the second album was mostly written before the first one even came out. That it finally has a release date, and a room full of people to hear it, is the part they have been working toward.

Black Hills Soul Album Release Party. Murphy’s Pub and Grill, Rapid City. Saturday, May 2. 9 p.m.