Love & Theft Album Due in June

Love and Theft members Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles are preparing for the release of their self-titled album on June 5. It's the group's second record, following 2009's'World Wide Open,' but it marks their first as a duo, with original member Brian Bandas having left the group in 2010.

"Stephen and I have always been on the same page as far as the vision for Love and Theft and what we want it to be," Eric says. "We feel like we have made the record we've always wanted to make."

The ACM Vocal Duo of the Year nominees found their sound with producer Josh Leo, who's worked with Alabama and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. "We love performing," Stephen explains. "The way we recorded our new album is the way our influences made records: live with a band. It's a lot more organic."

Becoming a duo wasn't the only major change Love and Theft endured in the past year. The pair found a new label home, RCA Records, following the closing of their first label, Lyric Street Records.

"It's such a big change that it's like God is saying this is what was supposed to happen," Stephen told the Boot in the wake of the label's closing and Brian's departure. "Maybe the destiny for Love and Theft was always to be a duo. It gives me and Eric a new outlook and mindset on everything, so it's really cool."

Love and Theft's current single 'Angel Eyes' is climbing the charts, while the guys tour the country. Their next stop is Thursday, March 28, in Virginia Beach, Va. See their full list of concert dates here.