the UK home for americana music
Houston based Matt Harlan, like many artists in these surreal times, would have been a way into promoting his excellent fifth album, ‘Best Beasts.’ released here in Europe by Continental Record Services., at this point in his career. Instead he is holed up at home contemplating an unknowing future as the world starts to envisage … Continue reading “Home Life – Matt Harlan”
TEOA, the Philadelphia based indie-folksters have been extremely busy these last twelve months. Playing a number of well-received live shows alongside a ‘single release a month’ campaign has kept both their profile high and their creative juices flowing. The band will be releasing their latest instalment, ‘Not The End‘, a poignant reflection on the world … Continue reading “Home Life: TEOA”
Mark Underwood continues his irregular feature on music by great songwriters with great lyrics, this time taking you through classics from the likes of Guy Clark, Steve Earle and Lucinda Williams.
John Moreland’s ‘LP5’ is unsurprisingly his fifth LP and highlights the skills of a singer-songwriter who puts lyrics to the fore. Working with producer Matt Pence, who has previously worked with heavyweight Jason Isbell, the album shows off a man who is confident in what he is doing and performs songs that he clearly wants … Continue reading “John Moreland “LP5” (Independent, 2020)”
There are precious few things better than spending an evening in the company of Robyn Hitchcock and when that evening is being held in a brewery, than, all the better for that. However, this wasn’t a raucous event, with a seated audience mainly drinking in Hitchcock’s songs and his usual, unusual song introductions. Two songs … Continue reading “Robyn Hitchcock + Annie Booth @Celtic Connections, The Drygate, Glasgow, 26th January 2020”
So another GRAMMY awards ceremony has passed, with a list so long that it should rightly go on for 3 days. And in our cosy little niche genre, Keb Mo fought off challenges from fellow category nominees Calexico And Iron & Wine (‘Years To Burn’), Madison Cunningham (‘Who Are You Now’), J.S. Ondara (‘Tales of … Continue reading “Keb Mo wins best americana album at the Grammys”
The AMAUK conference is now into its fifth year. One of the highlights of the conference is the two nights of showcases which take place before the awards ceremony on 28th/29th January featuring the best of americana talent, both homegrown and from around the world. At six venues across Hackney, all within walking distance and … Continue reading “AmericanaFest UK 2020 Conference Showcase preview – part three”
Mark Underwood continues his irregular feature on music by great songwriters with great lyrics.
It’s a point of pride for Australians that they don’t beat around the bush. So when it comes to reviewing ‘Songs From the South 1985-2019’, by one of that country’s greatest modern-day singer-songwriters, you could maybe get away with just writing “this album is stunningly and consistently brilliant, go out and buy it today.” (That … Continue reading “Paul Kelly “Songs From The South 1985 – 2019” (Cooking Vinyl, 2019)”
Andrew Combs isn’t someone who can be accused of sticking to a tried and tested formula in an attempt to court popularity. Quite the contrary. Since he burst onto the music scene in 2012 with the classic country folk of ‘Worried Man’ (recently re-issued by Loose), he’s since gravitated towards a more psychedelic and indie … Continue reading “Andrew Combs + Kirby Brown, the Lexington, London, 10th December, 2019”