Mark Whitfield

Sturgill Simpson records theme for “The Dead Don’t Die” – Listen

June 17, 2019 Mark Whitfield 0

Sturgill Simpson has released a new track called ‘The Dead Don’t Die’ which serves as the theme song from Jim Jarmusch‘s new zombie comedy movie of the same name starring Bill Murray and Adam Driver. The […]

The Avett Brothers reveal new album details – Listen

June 14, 2019 Mark Whitfield 0

We leave you this weekend dear dear readers with news that North Carolina’s Avett Brothers (featuring actual brothers) have announced details of their new album ‘Closer Than Together’ which lands on American/Republic Records on October 4th. […]

Hiss Golden Messenger announce new record “Terms of Surrender”

June 13, 2019 Mark Whitfield 0

The always delightful North Carolina band Hiss Golden Messenger have announced the release of their anticipated twelfth new album ‘Terms of Surrender’ which will be released on the uber-cool Merge Records on September 20th. Following a […]

Songs for the apocalypse: The Maureens “Caroline”

June 12, 2019 Mark Whitfield 0

Forget everything you know about anyone called Maureen. Namely that woman from Driving School. ‘Bang the Drum’ is the name of the second album by Utrecht quartet The Maureens, and also what I’ve been doing since I […]

Massy Ferguson set to divide the UK next month

June 10, 2019 Mark Whitfield 0

Seattle based americana quartet Massy Ferguson have announced a series of UK dates including festival appearances at Maverick and Summer Tyne. For more than a dozen years, the band have planted their boots on both sides […]

New release from Neal Casal archives due in November

October 6, 2026 0

Book Of Stories (Home Recordings 1998–2003) is a new 12-track collection of previously unreleased songs by Neal Casal, which will be released on 6th November 2026 via the Neal Casal Music Foundation/Blackwing Music/Royal Potato Family. The […]

“A lovely, thoughtful and humorous man” – Americana UK remembers Martin Johnson

October 6, 2026 1

Back in September 2019, I received an email after one of our semi-regular call-outs for new writers to join our team which said: “After 40 years in IT and process outsourcing I am current kicking my […]

Bap Kennedy “Above All, Love”

October 6, 2026 1

Timely release of demos from the late, great Bap Kennedy. In the history of all things Americana, one of the most tragic and sad pieces of news was when one of Ireland’s finest songwriters, Bap Kennedy, […]

Interviews

Interview: Fischer-Z’s John Watts reminisces on 50 years of making heartfelt music

October 1, 2026 0

The songs of John Watts, whether in his band Fischer-Z, in his other bands or as a solo artist, aren’t technically Americana, but everything in their construction and recording has the feel of exactly what Americana […]

Interviews

Interview: Shawn Colvin, celebrating 30 years of “A Few Small Repairs”

September 29, 2026 2

Shawn Colvin has long established herself as one of the most captivating of singer-songwriters. She’s an accomplished guitar player, possessed of a fine voice, and she’s a storyteller of great talent. Her first album, Steady On, […]

Behind the Songs

Behind the Songs: Maya de Vitry “All My Faith”

September 15, 2026 0

If you arrive at All My Faith looking for something that sounds like Gillian Welch, you might find your thirst briefly satiated by No Time to Rush, the final track on Maya de Vitry’s 2026 release, but […]

Columns

Sounds from beyond the Shed – Week 44

February 1, 2022 0

A glimpse of times to come. Phew, January’s a bastard. It’s cold, dark, hungover from December’s increasingly desperate joyousness and in the case of school, full of people shuffling from class to class coughing, wheezing and […]

Tracks

Madisen Ward & The Mama Bear “Childhood Goodbye” – Listen

March 14, 2018 0

There are not so many mother and son folk duos, but if they could all sound as good as Madisen Ward & The Mama Bear then we’d be all in favour of this being the next […]

Essentials

Essentials: The top 10 Hayes Carll songs

October 28, 2021 2

According to an article on savingcountrymusic.com, back in the early noughties Houston-born singer-songwriter Hayes Carll was hailed as a potential successor of Townes Van Zandt “in Texas and beyond.” And now, twenty years on, some of […]

Articles by Mark Whitfield