We leave you this week dear reader with a new track from Toronto’s Sadies. The band have joined forces with fellow Canadain musician King Khan to release a split 7″ single. King Khan is joined by Mary Simich and Natalia Avelon on the A-side ‘Old Gunga Din’ while The Sadies alone are featured on ‘The Most Despicable Man Alive.’ It’s a limited edition of 1,000 copies on brown vinyl which you can get from Juno Records in the UK here – or have a listen below (in rubbish 30-second Spotify format if you don’t have sub sorry. Beggars can’t be choosy). Have a good one.
AmericanaFest UK 2020 Conference Showcase preview – part five
The AMAUK conference is now into its fifth year, and one of the highlights of the conference is the two nights of showcases which take place before the awards ceremony on 28th/29th January featuring the best of americana talent, both homegrown and from around the world. The showcases take place at six venues across Hackney, all within walking distance and for the price of one wristband which you can buy here, plus you hopefully get to go back to a nice comfy bed each night. Over the course of this week we’ll be introducing you to all the showcase acts playing, in a kind of alphabetical order, if you’re not very good at the alphabet. You know us and the alphabet. If you’re playing and we’ve missed you out, apologies – and please get in touch. Here’s the fifth and final part. Continue reading “AmericanaFest UK 2020 Conference Showcase preview – part five”
Interview: Shovels & Rope on making records, touring and obsessing over Sharon Van Etten
Husband and wife duo Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst, Shovels & Rope, based in Charleston, South Carolina released their new album, ‘By Blood’ on Dualtone last year to great critical acclaim. They even feature in their own film, Shovels & Rope, The Movie’ written and produced by Curtis Wayne Millard the NY based filmmaker and photographer who has worked with likes of Margo Price and Aaron Lee Tasjan. The pair, whose unique take on folk, country, and country roots is always beautifully written and played with electrifying fervour live, are playing a handful of shows in the UK later this month. Americana-UK caught up with the pair to ask about making record, touring and whether living in each others pockets emotionally and musically comes with any drawbacks! Continue reading “Interview: Shovels & Rope on making records, touring and obsessing over Sharon Van Etten”
Video: Yola “I Don’t Wanna Lie”
Here’s AUK favourite, Yola’s excellent recent live performance on The Tonight Show, celebrating her four Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist. The 62nd Grammy Awards ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on January 26th – fingers crossed for her. Here, also, is her brilliant Tiny Desk Concert for NPR Music, which showcases that incredible, soaring voice.
Tribute to The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Stables, Wavendon, 18th January 2020
There must be some residual ownership of the Flying Burritos name that prevents this band from dropping the “Tribute to” part of their billing – on the face of it this line-up has about as much right to be called by that illustrious name as any of the many line-ups that have been put together and taken out without a single original member. Gregg Harris, who heads up the band on guitar and fiddle and the majority of lead vocals, at least played in a version that included Sneaky Pete Kleinow, as well as sometime New Rider, sometime Byrd, Skip Battin. So there’s a real touchstone to the band. This tribute is fleshed out with a frequent collaborator of David Crosby, talented lead guitarist and pedal steel player Jeff Pevar (he’s also the P in CPR – Crosby-Pevar-Raymond) along with drummer Richard Newman and bass player Tony Morley who have connections into European touring line ups with Jefferson Starship and Live Dead ’69. Continue reading “Tribute to The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Stables, Wavendon, 18th January 2020”
Pick of the Political Pops: Richmond Fontaine “Post To Wire”
So we’ve all pretty much had our fill of elections and the debates surrounding them I guess. Our own election for the position of Editor went flawlessly as usual whilst the UK General Election just went (at least from one side of the barricades). So we’re supposing that unless you have a stake in it the Reds leadership election is probably passing you by. Continue reading “Pick of the Political Pops: Richmond Fontaine “Post To Wire””
Gill Landry “Skeleton at the Banquet” (Loose, 2020)
Context in music is everything. The black gem of ‘Love Rides a Dark Horse’ has been followed by a slightly brighter point on a brooding personal journey. Relatively speaking this album demonstrates another step in Landry’s cathartic therapy of songwriting. The broken heart has been replaced by a degree more reflection, albeit one with a hefty residual of bitterness and cynicism still present. Continue reading “Gill Landry “Skeleton at the Banquet” (Loose, 2020)”
Tami Neilson “You Were Mine” – Listen
Tami Neilson is no blushing wallflower – not with a voice like hers which commands the attention. Her music covers a number of classic styles – pure country, some rock and roll and rockabilly, and gospel inspired soulful blues. She has a new album out on February 14th, subtly entitled ‘CHICKABOOM!‘, from which this single has been taken. Continue reading “Tami Neilson “You Were Mine” – Listen”
Video: Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson “Pancho and Lefty”
This week’s retro video is a true classic written by the legendary Townes Van Zandt. If you watch closely, you might spot Van Zandt making an appearance or two in the video! As you would expect, the characterful vocals from Nelson and Haggard are excellent. Legend has it that the character of Lefty was based on Daniel Antopolsky, who toured with Van Zandt back in the day…read my interview with him here.
AmericanaFest UK 2020 Conference Showcase preview – part four
The AMAUK conference is now into its fifth year and one of the highlights of the conference is the two nights of showcases which take place before the awards ceremony on 28th/29th January featuring the best of americana talent, both homegrown and from around the world. It takes place at six venues across Hackney, all within walking distance and for the price of one wristband which you can buy here, plus you hopefully get to go back to a nice comfy bed each night. Over the course of this week we’ll be introducing you to all the showcase acts playing, in a kind of alphabetical order, if you’re not very good at the alphabet. You know us and the alphabet. Here’s the fourth part. Continue reading “AmericanaFest UK 2020 Conference Showcase preview – part four”