Category: News

Ron Sexsmith has new music and a UK tour

Entering his 25th year as a recording artist, Ron Sexsmith returns in 2020 with a new album called ‘Hermitage‘.   It was recorded in Sexsmith’s living room in his new home of Stratford Ontario, having moved from longtime residence in Toronto.  The album was produced by Don Kerr, and, remarkably, other than drums Rom Sexsmith plays all the instruments as well as delivering his trademark thoughtful lyrics.  ‘Hermitage’ will be out on April 17th.  Before that, though, Ron Sexsmith has the first single out. Continue reading “Ron Sexsmith has new music and a UK tour”

Ramblin’ Roots Revue returns! Here’s the full line-up

The always excellent Ramblin’ Roots festival has announced its line-up for 2020, a 3-day event which takes place from April 24th to 26th at Bucks Student Union in High Wycombe. Now in its fourth year, The Ramblin’ Roots Revue is described as “a three day celebration of Americana, roots, folk and alt-country music” and it includes a great array of talent with 40 acts from the UK, USA and mainland Europe. Continue reading “Ramblin’ Roots Revue returns! Here’s the full line-up”

Watch Yola’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert

We are collectively big fans of Yola here at AUK as she swept the board for our readers poll in 2019 on the back of her critically acclaimed debut album ‘Walk Through Fire’ which is brimming with elegant country soul. Yola received four GRAMMY award nominations including Best New Artist as well as Best Americana Album, Best American Roots Song and Best American Roots Performance for her song ‘Faraway Look’. You can hear it below along with some other cuts from her appearance in NPR’s wonderful Tiny Desk Concert series. Something to cheer you up on apparently the most miserable day of the year (although be warned, there’s a long way to go).

Jim Lauderdale to release bluegrass album “When Carolina Comes Homes Again”

On the heels of 2019’s ‘From Another World’, two-time Grammy Award-winning Jim Lauderdale will release his 33rd album ‘When Carolina Comes Homes Again’ on March 6th via Yep Roc Records. You can listen to the first single ‘As a Sign’ co-written with Robert Hunter below. Continue reading “Jim Lauderdale to release bluegrass album “When Carolina Comes Homes Again””

The Dead South bring ‘Sugar & Joy’ to the UK

Sometimes you’re forced to ponder on the number of brilliant acts slogging away on the live circuit year after year for scant reward and then there are those odd occasions when, seemingly out of nowhere, a band or artist is elevated to giddy heights without you even appearing to notice. Such is the case with The Dead South, who are about to commence a tour of the UK, including venues of the size of Brixton Academy, with two of their UK tour dates already sold out.
Continue reading “The Dead South bring ‘Sugar & Joy’ to the UK”

Sounds of the New West Volume 5 out with new Uncut

For those of us who have been around long enough, you’ll remember that way back in the sands of time, two decades ago in fact, Uncut had a cover-mounted CD called Sounds of the New West which was instrumental in a lot of people’s introduction to the americana genre. Continue reading “Sounds of the New West Volume 5 out with new Uncut”

Nada Surf announce UK dates, share new song “So Much Love”

If you like a bit of Teenage Fanclub but are in a bit of a Teenage Fanclub-less hole at the moment then fear not, salvation is at hand in the form of the great Nada Surf who return next month with a new album ‘Never Not Together’ which is due out Feb 7th on City Slang. They’ve released a new track from the record too called ‘So Much Love’ – As Matthew Caws from the band puts it: “We’re good at love and being kind. It comes naturally to us, but so do other things. You just have to keep looking for the right way to lean, it’s worth everything.” Here are their UK dates.

Continue reading “Nada Surf announce UK dates, share new song “So Much Love””

UK Americana Awards 2020 adds Shingai to its line-up

The AMAUKs are only 2 weeks away and there are still a handful of tickets left if you haven’t got yours yet. It’s the fifth annual shindig which forms part of AmericanFest which returns to Hackney for 3 days at the end of this month.  The theme of the event is “Collaborate and Cross Pollinate” reflecting on how Americana artists work together across different genres and art forms. The event culminates on 30th January in the prestigious UK Americana Awards 2020 which after 4 sold-out years moves to a bigger venue for 2020 – the gorgeous art deco Troxy in Limehouse, East London. Continue reading “UK Americana Awards 2020 adds Shingai to its line-up”

Steve Van Zandt tells RS: “What was I thinking?”

Steve Van Zandt has recently given an in-depth interview with Rolling Stone magazine (which you can read in full here ) on which he touches on such things as his method acting in The Sopranos, the best and the worst parts of fame and success, whether rock is in fact dead and also his greatest mistake. Continue reading “Steve Van Zandt tells RS: “What was I thinking?””

Vintage Springsteen set vinyl for re-release

There are, in fact, five albums by Springsteen on their way that have never been re-issued on vinyl since their original release.  It’s a situation that had to be rectified!  Not today, but on the 21st of February when glorious  reissues of  albums from the period 1999-2007 will once more be available. Yeah, we know, “titles – tell us the goddamn titles!”  Nothing easier. Continue reading “Vintage Springsteen set vinyl for re-release”