The White Buffalo (singer/songwriter Jake Smith) has resolutely charted his own course for more than a decade. An imposing figure with a voice to match, Smith writes about rebels, outsiders and troubled souls, themes that have led Sons of Anarchy to grab six of his songs for use in their similarly edgy TV series. His latest release, Shadows, Greys & Evil Ways, tackles the big themes of human existence: sin and redemption, faith and doubt, mortality and the possibility of an afterlife. Produced by Grammy-nominated Bruce Witkin and Ryan Dorn, available from Unison Music Group on September 10.