Martin Johnson

Justin Rutledge “Islands”

March 19, 2021 Martin Johnson 0

How to revisit your younger self and make timeless music for today. This album is a joy due to its simplicity, however, simplicity does not mean it lacks sophistication. It manages to capture the pure essence […]

Interview: Canadian Justin Rutledge on revisiting and simplifying his greatest songs

March 16, 2021 Martin Johnson 2

Despite a literary background songwriter Justin Rutledge now believes simple songs work best. Justin Rutledge owes the UK a lot in that it was the UK success of his debut album ‘No Never Alone’ that really […]

Ninebarrow “A Pocket Full Of Acorns”

March 5, 2021 Martin Johnson 0

Arboreal polished Dorset-centric modern folk. Ninebarrow are a modern folk band with deep Dorset roots, formed in 2012 by teacher Jon Whitley and GP Jay LaBouchardiere. They were an immediate success, turning professional in 2016, and […]

Interview: Americana UK favourite Robert Vincent reflects on his recent multiple awards

March 3, 2021 Martin Johnson 0

Americana UK favourite Robert Vincent on a UK view of americana and his appreciation of his UK fans. Robert Vincent is a great favourite of Americana UK, and if anyone had any doubts about this statement […]

Interview: John John Brown on mixing music with photographs and comics

February 24, 2021 Martin Johnson 0

John Prine influenced songs with a new facet for americana, comics. There are a lot of new up-and-coming performers in the americana field. One such artist is singer-songwriter John John Brown who not only has an […]

artwork for Jack Browning album "Painted Skies"

Jack Browning “Painted Skies”

September 28, 2026 0

London-born singer-songwriter draws on wide Western canvas to create solid sophomore release. Jack Browning’s debut album, Red Eye Radio (2023), may have flown under the AUK radar, but Keith Hargreaves recently clocked the imminent release of […]

James McMurtry- photo credit: Mary Bruton Keating

Preview: Glasgow Americana Festival 2026, 30th September – 4th October

September 28, 2026 0

The 20th annual Glasgow Americana festival will take place at various places around the city between 30th September and 4th October with a mixture of some familiar and new faces. There will be over 50 musicians […]

Richard Thompson “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” – it’s a kind of magic

September 28, 2026 0

Best. Finest. Interesting words. The Los Angeles Times says of Richard Thompson: “The finest rock songwriter after Dylan and the best electric guitarist since Hendrix.” That was Scott Timberg, who, of course, also worked with Richard […]

Articles by Martin Johnson

Justin Rutledge “Islands”

Interview: Canadian Justin Rutledge on revisiting and simplifying his greatest songs

Ninebarrow “A Pocket Full Of Acorns”

Interview: Americana UK favourite Robert Vincent reflects on his recent multiple awards

Interview: John John Brown on mixing music with photographs and comics

Jack Browning “Painted Skies”

Preview: Glasgow Americana Festival 2026, 30th September – 4th October

Richard Thompson “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” – it’s a kind of magic

Video: Orange Oak “wilder life” – a declaration of nervousness

Something for the weekend: Listen to the unreleased Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers track from 1978 “Parade Of Loons”