We’re also giving away a new Springsteen hardback!
Our new playlist of the best new Americana we’ve heard over the last month is out later today exclusively for AUK supporters which includes new tracks by Briscoe, Dar Williams, Josh Ritter, Jeff Tweedy, Caroline Spence and Amanda Shires among others – as always we trawl through the best Americana we’ve heard recently so you don’t have to. And our giveaway this month is two tickets for one lucky supporter to see Canadian singer-songwriter Matt Andersen who has announced a run of UK and Irish tour dates for November as part of his international The Hammer & The Rose Tour.
Known for his prolific songwriting, powerhouse vocals and riveting performances, “The Hammer & The Rose” has been described as the most intimate and nuanced album in Andersen’s celebrated body of work. Andersen chose a different approach to the new recording, inspired by producer and percussionist Joshua Van Tassel, who emphasised how the timbre and texture of Andersen’s voice shine during the quieter moments of his live performances. Andersen began to write new songs with a stripped-down feel in mind. The result is a captivating and deeply soulful 10-song offering that blends elements of folk, blues and gospel delivered with a warm and relaxed vibe. Recorded live off the floor in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Andersen enlisted an exceptional group of musicians/friends to capture his vision for The Hammer & The Rose. The album features Afie Jurvanen (acoustic guitar) and Christine Bougie (lap steel) from Bahamas, Aaron Comeau (keys), Kyle Cunjak (acoustic bass), with producer Van Tassel on percussion. Special guest on all shows is fellow Canadian Terra Lightfoot. Visit www.mattandersen.ca/tour for tickets and more info on all tour dates.
We also have a nice new hardback coffee-table book to giveaway this month, “Bruce Springsteen and Born to Run: 50 Years (The Great Albums)” which was released last week and which we’ll be publishing our review of on Monday. The author, music journalist Sean Egan, takes a deep dive into one of the legendary musician’s most famous albums on its 50th anniversary. Chapters cover Springsteen’s career prior to 1975, track-by-track analyses of each side, the studios where it was recorded, the supporting tour, and The Boss’s career after the LP. The book is beautifully illustrated with performance and off-stage photography as well as memorabilia.
You can become an AUK supporter for as little as £2.99 a month for which princely sum you will receive a monthly exclusive supporters playlist along with being entered into our monthly prize draw. We all give our time freely to bring this site to you each day so thanks for your support if you can help out.
Matt Andersen UK dates 2025:
11 Nov – Belfast @ The Black Box
12 Nov – Dublin @ Whelan’s
13 Nov – Glasgow @ St Luke’s
14 Nov – Huddersfield @ The Parish
16 Nov – Manchester @ The Deaf Institute
17 Nov – London @ 100 Club
