So the weekend arrives dear readers and we’re in the eye of the storm it seems. An old lady in a rocking chair has just flown past the window. As the Labour Party conference hits us here in Liverpool (welcome if you’re around!) we leave you this week with news that following dates earlier this summer, Ethan Johns is set to return for more UK shows in October with his long standing band the Black Eyed Dogs. Continue reading “Ethan Johns announces more UK dates with his canine friends”
And there’s also a Christmas album from his “old” band too – yes, it’s that time of year again you’ll be delighted to know. RS Country reports: “Old 97’s leader Rhett Miller is at his most messed up best on the new hard luck song “Total Disaster,” the first track to be released from his upcoming solo LP, The Messenger. Continue reading “Rhett Miller is back with new album “The Messenger” – Listen”
We’re rather big fans of Courtney Marie Andrews here at AUK and she’s just released a new track ‘Heart and Mind’, a standalone cut that she is putting out because in her own words she “wanted to write a song that embodies the importance of empowerment when you feel weakened my misrepresentation and/or sexual harassment. Continue reading “Courtney Marie Andrews has a new song, UK dates”
So here’s the thing. There isn’t really a dedicated gig guide for americana at the moment in the UK – there are some excellent gig guides which have a lot of americana in them, but nothing that’s our baby so to speak. So we’re looking for someone to look after a new gig guide we’re planning to launch soon. You don’t need much technical expertise, just some time each week to populate the calendar. In return you’ll get prestige, honour, a guaranteed place in heaven plus the chance to probably attend a few gigs for AUK. If you’re interested please drop me a line via the contacts page.
Indigo Girl Amy Ray will release her sixth solo album ‘Holler’ on November 2nd on Daemon Records, referencing traditional country, Southern rock, mountain music, gospel and bluegrass, Ray tipping her hat to the great Jim Ford 1969 release ‘Harlan County’ on the collection. Recorded live to analogue tape at Echo Mountain studio in Asheville, NC, Ray says that the “friction, freedom and restlessness” on these songs were a natural progression from ‘Goodnight Tender’, her 2014 solo album. Continue reading “New Indigo Girl Amy Ray album features an abundance of special guests”
Yeah all right mate! Have a good weekend dear readers, leaving you today with news from the AMA awards on Wednesday night where several artists were outspoken on topics ranging from gun control to country music feeling like “purgatory”. If you’ve ever listened to Luke Bryan’s last album, you’ll know exactly what they mean. RS Country reports: “As the 17th annual Americana Honors & Awards drew to a close at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Wednesday night, the star power came out in full force. Continue reading “Tyler Childers: “Americana ain’t no part of nothing””
The 2018 Americana Music Association Awards took place last night, hosted by the lovely Milk Carton Kids, and no surprises for guessing who won a number of them (literally no surprises as we told you in the headline). Rolling Stone Country reports: “Jason Isbell reinforced his status as the king of the Americana genre at the 2018 Americana Honors & Awards. Continue reading “Jason Isbell dominates at 2018 AMAs”
Jason Isbell did an interview with Pod Save America co-host Tommy Vietor last month who used to be a spokesperson for President Obama but also happened to be a passionate Isbell fan. He caught up with Jason after his show at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, and talked about a lot of interesting stuff, much of it political given recent events. Rolling Stone has highlighted six of the most interesting things to come out of the conversation. You can hear the whole thing below if you have a spare half an hour. Continue reading “Isbell: If the Dixie Chicks had been Tim McGraw, nobody would have cared”
The 2018 Americana Music Festival and Conference kicks off in Nashville today, and Americana UK’s Mark Underwood is there covering the festival for us. Until he gets his wi-fi sorted, RS Country have published a list of 21 artists they recommend for you to see if you’re there (moneybags), including Will Hoge, Lilly Hiatt, Erin Rae, Amanda Shires and Ruston Kelly. We second that. All of the above. Read the whole list here and if you can’t get over there, console yourself with this little number from Aaron Lee Tasjan (also on the list). Continue reading “AmericanaFest 2018 begins today in Nashville”
Ana Egge returns to the UK next month for a run of dates to support ‘White Tiger’, her recently released tenth album which we were glowing about a few months back. Egge grew up with parents who “dropped out,” choosing to raise four girls in a lovingly cobbled together combination of a small farmhouse on the North Dakota plains, a bus on the California Coast, and a hot springs commune in rural New Mexico. Continue reading “Ana Egge announces UK dates – October”
