Music / Previews
Americana, Blues & Country Picks: Oct 2016
As autumn approaches thoughts inevitably turn to the ABC Picks Top Ten Gigs of the year. Sari Schorr has to be on the short list (but many would argue that Lucie Silvas’ sold out show at the Exchange needs to be there too), however, only a mug would say the list is locked in given the quality of acts in town over the next three months. Yep, gig clashes abound as always so there’s hard choices to make, and given the sheer volume of shows best start managing your loved ones expectations in terms of Chrimbo gifts. Especially as some of the 2017 shows are likely to sell out (The White Buffalo sold out the Lantern and the Drive by Truckers haven’t been round these parts for a while for instance) so early purchase are recommended. Oh and as always there’s plenty of tempting stuff over at the Metal and Prog picks if you fancy a night off from beards, blues and twang. See you down the front.
Thin Wire Fence & Sam Whitlock
Golden Lion: Saturday 08 Oct
is needed now More than ever
TWF are adept at pushing the boundaries of Americana “…their wayward wanderings to darken pastures are the sort relished by fans of Americana this side of the pond” and the Golden Lion is the ideal venue to catch their in yer face live set. The band are working on their first full length waxing (promising “a heavy slice of fuzzicana”) and I suggest you get said recording on your list for the fat beardy bugger in the red n white suit. Sam Whitlock, formerly of The Montgomerys, will be playing songs from his debut solo EP (you can read all about it here) so a great night is on the cards. It does clash with the mighty White Denim, but if you’re gonna choose, don’t toss a coin choose the small up and coming bands every time.
Tunnels: Sunday, 09 Oct
Regular readers are well aware of the ABC picks laissez faire approach to genres and abhorrence of snobbish adherence to demarcation lines so it’s pleasing to find fellow travellers such as Freakwater “We get called ‘alt-country,’ but it doesn’t affect what we do — it’s just a bin that our records get put into at the record store.” After a bit of a lay off they’re touring new LP Scheherazade and this is going to be a special night (but then that’s a given with any CRH / Tunnels promotion). Their sound is a marvellously current take on the roots of ABC, harping back to the originators and their times that arguably mirror our current state (we may have mobile ‘phones and driverless cars but check beneath the veneer of social media and our obsession with celebrity culture and “reality” telly to discover homelessness, food banks, intolerance and hard times for an honest man). Freakwater’s music fits these times perfectly and their acerbic tunes and almost dissonant harmonies are a unique beacon lighting up what can be done with roots music. And they’re Sabbaff fans:
Cheese n Grain: Friday, 14 Oct
Serious music journalists love to crown people the “new” whoever, for instance 312 people have been christened the new Bob Dylan and 452 have been christened the new Jimi Hendrix. Robin Trower has had that double-edged sobriquet applied to him many times and whilst such comparisons are lazy and reductive there is an argument to make that Trower deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Jimi and many other fine players. Of course he’s known for Bridge of Sighs (truly a beautiful amalgamation of blues and prog) but check out his decades of recordings and you’ll find a rake of fabulous music. Age be dammed he still cuts it live too so if you haven’t had the pleasure yet, right that wrong and set you satnav to Somerzet. Oh, and support is provided by Stevie Nimmo, another fine guitar player – and a blues man who’s not afraid to look beyond the genre to find inspiration. His new LP Sky Won’t Fall is way more than decent and would make a fine addition to anyone’s collection (have a listen here, you’ll also discover he’s got a voice too, secret soulman or what?). As for the Trower video clip well sod it, if every business in town is gonna bombard us with adverts for Chrimbo trees, meals and parties; and supermarkets are gonna stock their shelves with gift sets and other tat from August onwards then this video makes the Picks.
Fleece: Sunday, 16 Oct
Joanne Shaw Taylor is touring her latest recording Wild, a great companion piece to her last album The Dirty Truth that again highlights not only her stellar guitar playing but her beautifully husky vocals – for sure her guitar playing is top notch, but her voice really has developed; her fuzzy, throaty singing now more than matches her skills on the six string. Listening again to her back catalogue it’s great to see her song writing improving in leaps and bounds too and as anyone who’s seen her play live will confirm, she’s blows up the songs live so this is a must-see gig. Anyone for trivia? Taylor played lead guitar for Annie Lennox’s band at the Diamond Jubilee Concert in London 2012, getting complimented on her sound by Stevie Wonder, who has some experience of guitar players. As an added bonus support comes from Aaron Keylock an exceptionally promising young guitar player who’s been playing the length and breadth of the country and building huge word of mouth support without the approval of the fashion police. Here’s a taste of what the fella can do…
Wardrobe Theatre: Sunday, 16 Oct
Anyone familiar with Yola Carter will recognise the names Kit Hawes & Aaron Catlow as they’ve played and recorded with her – including her recent triumphant visit to Nashville. The pair have got together and recorded their debut LP and are launching it during October at the lovely Wardrobe Theatre. If the recording is as good as their (frankly gorgeous) preview track The Fighter then I suggest you bring enough cash to buy a copy at the show. Sure they’re at the folkier end of the lane but isn’t all popular music based on British folk and African traditional music – particularly ABC? A night of quality is guaranteed given the fellas live chops so why wouldn’t you pop down to the gig? Speaking of Carter it’s interesting to note that The Guardian has got a scoop and discovered there’s a vibrant Americana scene here in their own back yard; great to see Carter getting her props and equally great to see that a national newspaper has cottoned on to the scene, but clearly their Bristol reporter is going to the wrong shows if he hasn’t noticed what we have here. Support comes from Miranda Sykes & Rex Preston well respected purveyors of folk and currently touring their new release The Watchmaker’s Wife.
Loco Klub: Friday, 21 & Saturday, 22 Oct
Marc Griffiths and Mark Legassick run Little Paradise Records, home to a splendid roster of local bands and they’ve decided to throw a two day festival presenting a shedload of eclectic and entertaining music for your delight (and dancing). Acts featured include The Zen Hussies (celebrating fifteen years of musical shenanigans); The Gin Bowlers; The Hot Potato Syncopators and many more. We’ll be revealing more about the event in a soon come exclusive interview.
Tunnels: Tuesday, 25 Oct
The Felice Brothers should need no introduction (but have a look here if you need to) and they’re coming to town next year. But meanwhile prodigal brother Simone Felice (or Simon as autocorrect likes to make him) is bringing his highly regarded solo show to the Tunnels. Not only has he drummed and sung with his siblings, but he’s a published author; leader of his own band The Duke and the King and both a gifted instrumentalist and song writer. Oh, he’s also a producer (recently having worked on the Mercury prize nominated Bats for Lashes). This one man show will be pretty damned special so be there or be regretful.
Bierkeller: Thursday, 27 Oct
Yeah, of course the Bierkeller has put on some fantastic metal and punk shows, but they certainly aren’t afraid to entertain with other genres too…including Maddie & Tae, who are purveyors of exquisitely crafted country tunes with harmonies that flirt with pop and folk. There’s nothing Alt. about their country but that’s no bad thing: all Alt. and no Trad. makes for a dull playlist and a repetitive gig experience. This pair are fine songwriters and they aren’t afraid to kick against the pricks, listen to the lyrics to Girl in a Country Song for an entertaining and deserved take down of bro country.
Golden Lion: Sunday, 30 Oct
The Golden Lion is one of the best kept secrets on the live scene, they consistently deliver cracking shows featuring local, national & international acts and nearly always a value for money bill. This is a great show, Erin Mae has one of those voices that just pours into your ears and soothes you soul; gliding effortlessly across folksy stripped back less-is-just-right instrumentation from The Meanwhiles. Seriously, get your psyche reset with some immaculate aural balm (wasn’t that a Hawkwind bootleg? Sorry, bit of a flashback then).
Further Ahead
Has there ever been a better time to be a fan of fine music? Judging from the list below that’s a resounding “no” and not only is 2016 ending with a solid run of superb gigs but 2017 is shaping up in to a belter too, so remember: book early and if you miss out on that big sold out gig don’t pay stupid money for a ticket on line, go and support a small band in a local venue.
Sara Watkins, Tunnels: Tuesday, 08 Nov
Cadillac Three, Academy: Friday, 11 Nov
Lake Street Dive, SWX: Saturday, 12 Nov
Wade Bowen & Willy Braun, Thekla: Saturday, 12 Nov
Ben Caplin, Thekla: Sunday, 13 Nov
Laurence Jones, Tunnels: Sunday, 13 Nov
Scott Fagan, Lantern: Tuesday, 15 Nov
Beth Hart, Colston Hall: Thursday, 17 Nov
King King, Cheese n Grain: Thursday, 17 Nov
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Colston Hall: Saturday, 19 Nov
Simo / Arron Keylock / Federal Charm, Tunnels: Wednesday, 23 Nov
Gangstagrass, Thekla: Friday, 25 Nov
John Fairhurst + John E Vistic, Golden Lion: Friday, 25 Nov
Newton Country, Louisiana: Sunday, 27 Nov
The Shires, Colston Hall: Monday, 28 Nov
Chantel McGregor, Tunnels: Friday, 02 Dec
Yola Carter, Wardobe Theatre: Monday, 05 Dec
Alabama 3, Academy: Thursday, 08 Dec
Billy Bragg & Joe Henry, St. Georges: Tuesday, 17 Jan
The White Buffalo, Trinity : Thursday, 19 Jan
Felice Brothers, Fleece: Friday, 27 Jan
Darlingside, Tunnels: Monday, 30 Jan
St.Paul & the Broken Bones, Trinity: Thursday, 02 Feb
Mastersons, Tunnels: Tuesday, 07 Feb
Karl Blau, Louisiana: Thursday, 16 Feb
Handsome Family, St. Georges: Tuesday, 28 Feb
Drive by Truckers, Anson : Thursday, 02 Mar
Albert Lee, Lantern: Tuesday, 07 Mar
Danny Bryant ,Bierkeller: Wednesday, 22 Mar
Michael Kiwanuka, Colston Hall: Wednesday, 03 May
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