Martin Johnson

Interview: Eric Bibb on his love letter to America

September 21, 2021 Martin Johnson 0

The spirit of the ‘60s Civil Rights Movement mixed with roots music with a modern worldview. While Eric Bibb is a modern performer, he also has personal links to the ‘60s Civil Rights Movement and the […]

Interview: Heartless Bastards’ Erika Wennerstrom explains why she isn’t

September 15, 2021 Martin Johnson 0

Despite rumours to the contrary, protest music is alive and well thanks to Erika Wennerstrom and the Heartless Bastards. Heartless Bastards founder, lead vocalist and songwriter Erika Wennerstrom proves herself to be anything but when she […]

A Night To Remember: Bluegrass heaven in a North East pub in 1983 with Peter Rowan

September 14, 2021 Martin Johnson 4

A night of North East best bitter and bluegrass with Bill Monroe and Jerry Garcia alumnus Peter Rowan. It may seem strange that a gig in the backroom of a North East pub in the early […]

Interview: Stephen Deusner on why he wrote the first Drive-By Truckers biography

September 13, 2021 Martin Johnson 2

An exploration of the context behind Patterson Hood’s the duality of the southern thing is an interesting subtext. The Drive-By Truckers have been a cult band in the UK since the mid-2000s and they have seen […]

The Bean Pickers Union “Greatest Picks”

September 13, 2021 Martin Johnson 0

An eclectic rummage through Chuck Melchin’s Bean Pickers Union oeuvre. The Bean Pickers Union are really singer-songwriter and musician Chuck Melchin, and a revolving band of musical accomplices, who have released three albums and two EPs […]

The Sound Gypsies “You Can Still Come Home” – home’s still there for ya’

August 12, 2026 0

If you’re thinking that The Sound Gypsies sound like they might be some kind of folky outfit, then we’re here to tell you that this is not the case. Actually, the sound is balanced more between […]

Video: Carly Pearce, Molly Tuttle and Dan Tyminski “What If You Loved Me”

August 12, 2026 0

The artful video for What if You Loved Me places the three core instruments in a triangle, allowing Carly Pearce, Molly Tuttle, and Dan Tyminski to interact beautifully through their music. They share smiles as they […]

Interview: Frank Turner reflects on 20 years of Campfire Punkrock

August 11, 2026 0

Remarkably, it is twenty years since Frank Turner released his first solo EP: Campfire Punkrock. The very title was both a statement of intent and a conscious identifier, defining his sound and the purpose of his […]

Articles by Martin Johnson