Jonathan Aird

Scott Vestal Wins Steve Martin Banjo Prize

August 3, 2017 Jonathan Aird 0

As reported in the truthful and successful New York Times, the recipient of the 2017 Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass was announced last weekend as being Scott Vestal. Scott Vestal took to the music in the […]

Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers “Caroline” – Listen

August 2, 2017 Jonathan Aird 0

Steve Martin – officially the world’s coolest banjo player and the only one to sponsor a major annual Banjo music prize whilst also holding down other day jobs such as acting, writing books and collecting modern […]

Storm the Palace “The Moon above Villiers Street” – Listen

July 28, 2017 Jonathan Aird 0

Sometimes music doesn’t come quickly – it takes time to mature, to be just right. Sophie Dodds knows this, having spent nine years getting the songs on Storm The Palace’s debut album Snow, Stars and Public Transport just […]

Dickey Betts & Great Southern “Southern Rock Jam” (Retroworld Records, 2017)

July 25, 2017 Jonathan Aird 0

Southern Rock Jam is a compilation of ten tracks, five each from Dickey Betts’ two albums for Arista – Dickey Betts & Great Southern and Atlanta’s Burning Down. These date to Betts’ first time out from […]

Hammydown “Automatic Sweetheart” – Listen

July 24, 2017 Jonathan Aird 0

Driven to ditching her acoustic guitar by an endless series of broken strings, Abbie Morin switched from her folk-rock persona to the Fender Jazzmaster sound of new project Hammydown. It’s the quirky garage-pop that could get […]

promo photo of Steve Robinson & Ed Woltil

AUK Short Cuts: Steve Robinson & Ed Woltil, Kevin Coleman, Bay Station, Mudlarks, Jo Bartlett & Neil Haydock, and Ben Walden

September 1, 2026 1

Our latest Short Cuts, a monthly feature where AUK casts a brief eye and ear on several albums we’ve received recently which just didn’t make the cut for a full review. Like most major music websites, […]

Bronwyn “Rattlin’ Bones”

September 1, 2026 0

Virtuoso fiddler-turned-songwriter delivers modern bluegrass masterclass. Rattlin’ Bones marks Bronwyn Keith-Hynes’ first foray into songwriting. For those unfamiliar with her name, here’s a brief résumé of the story so far. Raised near Charlottesville, Virginia, at the […]

Miko Marks’ new album “Hell Or High Water” arrives next month

September 1, 2026 0

Miko Marks has announced her latest album, Hell Or High Water, on 30th October 2026 via Redtone Records. It’s her first new studio album since her 2022 release, Feel Like Going Home. Hell Or High Water sees […]

Articles by Jonathan Aird