Music / Previews
Americana, Blues & Country Picks: January 2018
Yeah OK, January is sparse with just 3 gigs in the preview (but all worthy of your attention and indeed attendance) however the rest of the year is already shaping up nicely with 17 gigs announced in February and March alone. Naturally any local bands who’ve been missed are welcome to shout out and get their gigs listed, as are promoters too – remember the Americana, Blues and Country picks like to stretch genre definitions to breaking point so don’t be shy. Meanwhile, time to fill your diary with gigs, save the Thekla and kick out the jams…see you down the front.
is needed now More than ever
Ramirez is bringing his current LP We’re Not Going Anywhere to our fair city, a pleasing riposte to the swing to the right that swept Tr*mp to power. A powerful piece of work that plays fast and loose with genre conventions (swathes of keyboards, plenty of sparse instrumentation allowing space in the tunes without sacrificing melody) that will translate well live. He’s paid his dues with endless touring and this LP could well see him breakout if it gets the right exposure, so get in now. Support comes from Kerri Watt, a talented singer / songwriter who’s been honing her craft with plenty of live work here in the UK and the USA via her own shows and some prestigious support slots and collaborations. Her current release Old School Love is a rather stylish piece of classic pop (but pop when it was all about the song & the performance rather than selling the ringtone) and a bit of a departure from her rootsier previous single Into the Wild. Get there earlier, you won’t be disappointed.
James Ray and the Black Hearted Riders
James Ray has played in numerous bands and collaborated in many projects and this will be welcome opportunity to catch him and the Black Hearted Riders’ powerful sound in an intimate setting. The music is somewhat difficult to reduce to a soundbite but think of it as Tex-Mexicana on steroids with molasses vocals and dark, world weary lyrics yet an uplifting experience if you’re willing to invest in the songs. It’s the sort of stuff that really takes on a life of its own on stage and is the perfect soundtrack to January in the UK as we race headlong in to…what? If you like Leonard Cohen, if you like Mark Lanegan then you’re gonna be delighted – and you won’t be hearing pastiche or a cheap knock off of either artist, just pure quality.
Current long player Walk Into A Storm came three years after Then Came The Morning and during that period the Brooklyn based band split their hometown and moved to Nashville. This gig will be raucous, their infectious up-tempo and joyous tunes will leave you with a smile on your face, a hoarse throat and blisters on your feet. The band specialise in glorious harmonies well suited to their carefully crafted and catchy tunes. Although more traditional in sound than either of the two other acts on the picks this month, the three shows between them are a great hat trick, a perfect example of what it’s possible to do with ostensibly simple and traditional musical tropes in the 21st Century.
Further ahead:
February and March are pretty rammed already and February has two rather annoying gig clashes too: the wealth of good venues in town (fight to preserve them people) and the numerous good bands a double edged sword for the discerning music fan. These shows will prove popular but if you have a gig clash why not pick the up and coming act in the smaller venue? And if your first choice is sold out, don’t stay home – get out and try a new act, who knows what you might discover.
Terry & Gerry, Thunderbolt: Friday, 02 Feb
The Mavericks, Colston Hall: Friday, 02 Feb
Bon Temps Playboys, Golden Lion: Sunday, 04 Feb
Hayseed Dixie, Fleece: Wednesday, 14 Feb
Jess & the Bandits, Tunnels: Wednesday, 14 Feb
The Gun Outfit, Louisiana: Monday, 19 Feb
Yola Carter, St. Georges: Sunday, 24 Feb
Grahams, Tunnels: Thursday, 01 Mar
Hannah Williams & The Affirmations, Lantern: Friday, 02 Mar
Karl Blau, Station: Friday, 09 Mar
Bob Log III, Lantern: Wednesday, 14 Mar
Dan Patlansky, Tunnels: Sunday, 18 Mar
Bellrays, Lantern: Monday, 19 Mar
Handsome Family, St. Georges: Thursday, 22 Mar
Police Dog Hogan, St. Georges: Friday, 23 Mar
Secret Sisters, Tunnels: Tuesday, 27 Mar
Calexico, Trinity: Wednesday, 28 Mar
The White Buffalo, Academy: Sunday, 08 Apr
Tom Paxton, St. Georges: Tuesday, 10 Apr
Ian Siegel, Tunnels: Monday, 16 Apr
Josh Rouse, Lantern: Tuesday, 24 Apr
Grant Lee Phillips, Lantern: Wednesday, 25 Apr
Dead South, Anson: Saturday, 28 Apr
Eric Bibb, St. Georges: Friday, 04 May
Brothers Osbourne, Academy: Monday, 07 May
Deep Dark Woods, Tunnels: Tuesday, 15 May
Gretchen Peters, St. Georges: Saturday, 02 Jun
Lamont Dozier, St. Georges: Monday, 11 Jun
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