Dave Luke & Chuck Micallef enjoy a musical partnership that stretches back over 20 years. Equally at home in theatres, clubs, at house concerts or on large festival stages, the duo manage to create the intimate, jovial atmosphere of a front porch picking session wherever they go.
Can you tell us about yourself? Where you’re from and what you’ve been up to over the past few years?
Dave Luke (guitar/mandolin/vocals) served his musical apprenticeship in London-based Country Rock bands Tender Mercies and The Coyotes. Since relocating to Mid-Wales in the 1990s he has toured Europe extensively and, as a member of Nashville singer-songwriter Gail Davies’ band, played at legendary USA institutions such as the Grand Ole Opry, The Ryman Auditorium and Kerrville Folk Festival. He has also shared the stage with the likes of Paul Overstreet, Kathy Chiavola and Rosie Flores.
Chuck Micallef (vocals/guitar) paid his dues in the Coffee Houses of his native Toronto, an experience that provided him with a first-hand education in the craft of the Singer-Songwriter. In the early 1980s he recorded a clutch of 45s of his own songs, which scored in both the Canadian and U.S.A. national charts. His 20 year tenure in the U.K. has yielded a live recording in 1996, the acclaimed 2007 album The Moon, The Stars & The Sun, and an ongoing enthusiastic involvement with the British roots music community.
Highlights of their years on the UK music scene include several appearances at the Americana International Festival in Newark, contributions to the soundtrack to the movie The Penalty King, Country Music Club shows the length and breadth of Great Britain, and a number of performances in different venues in the company of the legendary George Hamilton IV.
How would you describe your music?
Country Roots Americana
Can you tell us a little bit about your influences?
Chuck’s Singer-Songwriter influences and Dave’s leanings towards Honky Tonk and Western Swing, combined with their mutual love of Traditional Country and Bluegrass produces an entertaining and varied programme that leaves no part of the Americana genre untouched.
What are you currently promoting?
We are currently promoting our debut Cd as a duo, “Shadows and Light” which is set to be launched Saturday 12th November at The Health and Happiness Show, Bookmark Bloxwich Library Theartre Elmore Row, Bloxwich, West Midlands.
Have you got a particular song you’ve done that you’re particularly proud of, one that might define you?
The title track, “Shadows and Light” was co-written by us and is a good example of our original works.
What are you currently listening to?
Americana Radio stations and seeing where our style fits in.
And your favourite album of all time, the one you couldn’t do without?
Dave Luke – Any Merle Haggard album, Chuck Micallef – Any John Prine album.
What are your hopes for your future career?
Developing a larger fan base through the media and then touring the U.K., Ireland and into Europe.
If money were no object what would be your dream project?
Regular visits to Nashville TN for writing and performing.
What’s the best thing about being a musician?
Performing the songs that we Love for an audience that appreciates the music that we do.
And the worst?
Performing the songs that we Love for an audience that wants to hear something else.
Finally, have you anything you’d like to say to the readers of Americana UK?
If anyone is interested in hearing our music check out our Facebook page
