the UK home for americana music
April 24th will see the release of his new album ‘Unfollow the Rules‘ on BMG, and marks his return to the world of “pop” after eight years of exploring the worlds of classical music and opera. It draws on a lot of inspirations including the onset of middle age, married life, fatherhood, friends, loss, London, … Continue reading “Rufus Wainwright returns with new album”
Steve Earle & The Dukes have announced the release ‘Ghosts of West Virginia’ due out on May 22nd, 2020 via New West Records – you can hear the first track from it below. The album was produced by Steve Earle and engineered by Ray Kennedy at Jimi Hendrix’s legendary Electric Lady Studios in New York … Continue reading “Steve Earle returns with new album “Ghosts of West Virginia””
The Beer and Bluegrass Festival returns for its 6th successful year on 24/25th July 2020 to Branksome in Poole. This ‘down-home’ festival is set in the secluded grounds of Victoria School with the main stage set within a natural amphitheatre, surrounded by woodland with ‘Claremont’ Victorian convent in the background. The line-up includes world-famous Daoiri … Continue reading “Beer and Bluegrass Festival returns to Poole”
Call us gifted with foresight – or maybe it’s just a case of great minds thinking alike – but we had recent cause to feature Peter Bruntnell’s song ‘N.F.B.’ in our regular ‘Song for the Apocalypse’ feature, while ‘By the Time My Head Gets to Phoenix’ – also from the same album – was included … Continue reading “Peter Bruntnell’s “Normal For Bridgewater” turns 21″
This is a lovely video from Rose Cousins that many viewers will relate to. It’s about the resilience needed for everyday life and the feeling of all the love we give being returned back to us by those we care for. Cousins says of the song: “The human ability to give care and tenderness while … Continue reading “Video: Rose Cousins “The Return (Love Comes Back)””
We leave you on this exciting week for us here at AUK (my poor head…) with a new song from Passenger aka Mike Rosenberg who is back following his lovely 2017 americana album ‘Runaway’ which culminated in his headlining the inaugural Black Deer festival, and what a set that was. He’s posted the video for … Continue reading “Passenger returns with UK dates and new song “Sandstorm””
We leave you this week dear reader with a new track from Toronto’s Sadies. The band have joined forces with fellow Canadain musician King Khan to release a split 7″ single. King Khan is joined by Mary Simich and Natalia Avelon on the A-side ‘Old Gunga Din’ while The Sadies alone are featured on ‘The … Continue reading “The Sadies return with “The Most Despicable Man Alive””
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 … Continue reading “Ramblin’ Roots Revue returns! Here’s the full line-up”
After eight studio albums and almost two and a half thousand shows, Frank Turner has gathered legions of loyal fans and earned a reputation for exciting live performances. Recent release, ‘No Man’s Land’, was Turner’s fourth consecutive top-three album, a level of commercial success that may have seemed unlikely when he emerged from punk band … Continue reading “Interview: Frank Turner talks about the perils of purity, and Chas & Dave”
Ivor Cutler was a unique Scottish artist, poet, songwriter, teacher, humourist and mainstay of British Radio who died in 2006 aged 83 and was very probably a genius. The depression of the ‘30s, his Jewish background and experience of anti-Semitism and a challenging home life all had a major impact on his work. The word … Continue reading “Citizen Bravo, Raymond MacDonald & Friends “Return to Y’Hup: The World of Ivor Cutler” (Chemikal Underground, 2020)”