‘Strange Path’, the new record from Canadian, alt-country singer-songwriter Leeroy Stagger, certainly lives up to its title – it’s an album that frequently veers off into unfamiliar territory – electro-glam-rock, anyone? – but, sadly, it also ends up in the middle of the road far too often. Continue reading “Leeroy Stagger “Strange Path” (True North Records, 2019)”
Album Preview: Abby K “The Whole Truth”
Seattle-based singer-songwriter Abby K has a new album out this Friday, called ‘The Whole Truth‘ which we’re previewing right here on Americana UK. After a lifetime living east of the Mississippi Abby K moved to the Pacific Northwest arriving with a desire to embrace the vibrant music scene with nothing but her guitar and a handful of songs. Continue reading “Album Preview: Abby K “The Whole Truth””
Songs for the apocalypse: Mumford and Sons “The Ghosts That We Knew”
Right I know I’ll get shot for this one but bands that everyone thinks are a bit shit can still sometimes write songs that have a resonance for you – this was a track I listened to in the car on the way back from visiting my dear old friend Tom who was about to die. He was 90 and was ready to go but his feelings at the end of his life were basically the refrain “Give me hope in the darkness that I will see the light”. At about 3’10” this song kicks into something quite magical – as one of the comments below the track on YouTube says: “That fucking banjo man. Gets me every time.”
Interview: Pete Gow – “Up close and very personal…”
Pete Gow, front man for the late Case Hardin, one of the UK’s foremost hard rocking Americana styled bands, surprised a lot of folk when he released his first solo album, ‘Here There’s No Sirens’ back in April. Gone was the rollicking and hard rocking thrust of Case Hardin, replaced by intimate stripped back songs, mainly acoustic and awash with bold brass and string arrangements. And while the sound of the album may have surprised many folk, it was praised across the board, with AUK’s review saying it was, “a deeply personal and intimate set of songs with some great lyrics and astute musicianship, all recorded wonderfully and delivered with heart.” Already, in some quarters, it’s been mentioned as likely to be in the short list for UK album of the year at the next AMAUK awards ceremony. Continue reading “Interview: Pete Gow – “Up close and very personal…””
John Paul White + Ciaran Lavery, Islington Assembly Hall, London, 5th September 2019
Appropriately enough, ‘Ol’ 55′ was playing on the intro’ tape as John Paul White prepared to take the the stage at a near- full Islington Assembly Hall, unusually set in an all seated configuration. ‘The Hurting Kind‘, the new album by White, is very much in the same frame as the Tom Waits classic -big emotions and big melodies. It’s an album that suggests that John Paul White has shrugged off some of the post Civil Wars angst of his previous album ‘Beulah‘. Continue reading “John Paul White + Ciaran Lavery, Islington Assembly Hall, London, 5th September 2019”
Ryan Traster “Choses Obscures” (Independent, 2019)
Minneapolis based Ryan Traster plies his trade with a super laid back, woozy, indie, country-pop sound. On ‘Choses Obscures’ (French for ‘unusual things’) you can hear the ghost of Tom Petty nodding sagely as the tunes roll past. Vocally there’s a lazy J. Mascis/Evan Dando feel that rolls from Traster; sometimes with lugubriousity, sometimes a weary optimism. Continue reading “Ryan Traster “Choses Obscures” (Independent, 2019)”
Great Peacock “Miss You Honey” – Listen
Great Peacock are a Nashville band who’s Southern Rock has attracted the attention of Rolling Stone who last year noted them as a New Country Act You Should Know. And who are we to argue with Jann Wenner’s rag? Come on, dear reader, you know that we’d argue with anyone but in this case there’s no need to. Great Peacock are indeed worth hearing. Continue reading “Great Peacock “Miss You Honey” – Listen”
Video Premiere: Sarah Gerritsen “Don’t Fear The Healer”
This is an impressive and powerful, directed by Sarah Hanner, for a great song by Seattle singer-songwriter Sarah Gerritsen about sickness and healing. It’s from her latest album ‘Coyote’, which was written as a tribute to her late father and is out now.
Darrin Bradbury “Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs” (ANTI-, 2019)
It takes a keen eye to spot the profound wrapped up inside the everyday. Darrin Bradbury has a very keen eye and he puts it to good use. Others have drawn comparisons between Bradbury’s songwriting and the work of John Prine or Guy Clark. It’s probably worth throwing the likes of Ray Wylie Hubbard, Kurt Vonnegut, Hunter S. Thompson, and Warren Zevon into that mix. A keen eye, a dark sense of humour, and a talent for turning a phrase can go a long way. Continue reading “Darrin Bradbury “Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs” (ANTI-, 2019)”
Interview – Amy Boone
When Delines singer Amy Boone was hit by a car in a devastating freak accident in April 2016, it looked like her singing and touring career might well be over. Indeed, Willy Vlautin the band’s engine and song-writer really did fear the worst. When asked after a UK show, about Amy’s progress, he hung his head sadly as he confided that The Delines might end up being a just recording band, and that their touring days may well be over. It seems that Willy had perhaps not taken into account the gritty determination of ex Damnation lead singer, and all round tough cookie … Amy Boone. Americana-UK’s Alan Taylor spoke to her about her recovery and her musical journey, at Rough Trade Nottingham on their last visit to the UK. Continue reading “Interview – Amy Boone”