Music / Previews
Americana, Blues & Country Picks: Sep 2016
So we’re in the midst of a late heat wave / middle of a monsoon* and what better way to enjoy a warm evening / get rid of them rainy day blues* than going to a rock show and catching a hot band… The list of treats continues to grow, we’re already looking ahead to 2017 (St Paul & the Broken Bones are coming back – put that in your diary immediately – here’s why) but there’s also plenty to enjoy right now this month. Gig clashes are already rearing their head (not just in the realms of ABC, there is plenty of temptation in the Metal n Prog picks to make matters worse) and many of these shows will sell well and indeed probably sell out, so get picking and get yourselves warmed up for a frankly splendid selection of marvellous sounds between now and the Festive Season. See you down the front.
* Delete according to prevailing weather.
is needed now More than ever
The elder statesmen of Alt.Country make a welcome return to town, albeit on the same night as the Massive Attack show – but if you missed out on tix for that then you could do far worse than spending an evening with this band. There’s a new waxing out – Paging Mr Proust – and the shows are guaranteed to please as they promise material from all phases of their 30 year career (Jebus – where did those three decades go?). Support comes from Ethan Johns, who I am obliged to describe as a polymath: he’s produced waxings for Ryan Adams, Ray LaMontagne, Laura Marling and Paul McCartney amongst many, many others; he’s an accomplished musician who’s played drums n guitar with Crosby, Stills and Nash and played guitarist in Emmylou Harris’ band; and has released three records of his own. Given his production credits and collaborations it’s no surprise that Johns oeuvre is laid back and mellow Americana – beautifully produced and very easy on the ear (meant as a compliment rather than a slur), have a listen here.
No 1 Harbourside, Thursday 08
Born in Chicago Scorch and his Country Soul Ensemble are a road hardened outfit that have hit on the magical idea of playing fiddle and banjo led olde tyme country folk with a belligerent punk attitude (albeit hardcore US style rather than ’77 safety pin punk) that serves his compelling narrative lyrics perfectly. It could get raucous, there will be sweat and it’s a night to break out your dancing feet.
British by birth, raised a Kiwi, Silvas was writing and performing from an early age (on the road at 17) and has released three albums to date – all big sellers; has performed and recorded with plenty of big hitters as well as writing & recording with Nashville’s finest. Her songs are exceedingly well crafted and she has a delightful voice, and those years on the road guarantee a quality show. Find out what happened when we put Silvas through the Vinyl Enquirer here and catch her in the intimate setting of the Exchange, which continues to deliver a booking policy of maximum eclecticism, quality and VFM.
The booking policy at the Tunnels is also to be commended as they’ve supplied us with a fantastic line up over the past few years – their never-ending purple patch continues with Sari Schorr, a fantastically powerful, passionate singer – not a belter (although she has the power) – but a really soulful singer, steeped in the blues and accompanied by her band The Engine Room (band leader Innes Sibun on guitar guarantees a quality setting for Schorr’s songs). She’s touring her new LP A Force of Nature, produced by Mike Vernon, who came out of retirement to produce after Schorr pinned his ears back good and proper at an awards ceremony. This is gonna be a scorcher.
The Crown, Keynsham: Saturday 17
There have been a few changes with the Tones of late…they’ve been picked up by Robmont Music and as a result have been blowing away audiences at national festivals all over the summer. Building on the success of their debut Time for a Change, the band have been working up material for a soon come new album – due to land in November – with a road tested punkier approach to the blues. Stripped back to the core duo of Victoria Bourne on drums & vox and Chris Harper on guitar they promise “…punk blues style that favours the common rawness, simplicity and emotion shared between the punk and blues genres…”. A welcome chance to catch the band on a short run of dates as they fine tune new material for the studio.
Yep, back at the Tunnels and once again a quality night with Madison Violet. This Canadian duo are five albums in to their career and although starting with the basic ingredients of Americana have continually put their own twists on the genre, peppering their compositions and recordings with a pop nous, dance sensibility and general sense of adventure. This is gonna be fun. Leave your preconceptions at home and come and find out what talented musicians can do when they’ve got magpie DNA and aren’t afraid to push boundaries.
Start the Bus: Tuesday, 20
So when researching the Picks I came across this quote from the Bonnevilles in the Huffington Post, talking about their new record, and to be frank it’s pointless me trying to describe the band given the eloquence of what they say about themselves: “We decided to write a love album, hence the title Arrow Pierce My Heart, but we aren’t balladeers so it ended up littered with our usual topics – death, rising from the dead, murders, drinking, drugs, sex, revenge and more revenge, but that’s ok. Because we’re Irish, which isn’t so much a race of people as it is a death cult, we deal with this stuff so you don’t have to and our idea of love is a dark love not the sickly sweet kind. Not so much roses and kittens but whiskey and shame, and that too is ok. We take our responsibility as the conduits of the Gods very seriously. The human experience is about sinning and failing; that’s where the acid is and that’s what we try to write about.” Their Bristol debut has been a long time coming – get there and find out what an unholy mixture of Van Morrison and Stiff Little Fingers sounds like.
This is a hot ticket for sure: Kirk Fletcher is a pie-hot player (three years in front of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and plenty of time fronting his own outfit) and we can expect a great night of blues (no surprise as CRH are behind this gig – as well as Sari Schorr and Madison Violet). Mind you that will be the blues with da funk and plenty of twang as well as some souful vox (interestingly he didn’t get to singing until third record, but it was worth the wait). Oh, and he genuinely is Straight Outta Compton – check his back story here. Support from Ruzz Guitar’s Blues Review, one of the best kept secrets on the local scene – rockabilly big band blues delivered with attitude and passion (and now sponsored by Gretsch, well done fella). Alas there is a catch (isn’t there always?). Cast your eyes on to the next item on the list…
Once again the godz of rock mock us with another gig clash as one of the best young bands in the area are playing the same night as Mr Fletcher. Newton Country have been busy over the summer, dates here, there and everywhere and a slot on national radio via Dermot O’Leary (check that session out on their website). There are a few dates in September before they hit the studio for recording including a reworking of their cut Set Sail. Support from the splendid Red Ray and the Reprobates, although the core four piece remains intact (sorry can’t resist listing their nommes de rocque: “Loose Cannon Lannon”, “Coyote Cam”, “Stewie the Kid” & “Last Chance La Rezza”, fantastic eh?) they have been adding extra musicians to get a nice fat soul sound in to their country mix. This is a great value night out and a fabulous opportunity to support our local scene.
Further Ahead
There is a vast array of genre busting talent heading to the West Country, small gigs, big gigs; a fabulous looking boutique festival and both established acts and new talent. Time to plan out your autumnal rockin’.
Freakwater, Tunnels: Sunday, 09 Oct
Robin Trower, Cheese n Grain: Friday, 14 Oct
Joanne Shaw-Taylor, Fleece: Sunday, 16 Oct
Little Paradise Day 1, Koko: Friday, 21 Oct
Little Paradise Day 2, Koko:Saturday, 22 Oct
Simone Felice, Tunnels: Tuesday, 25 Oct
Maddie & Tae, Bierkeller: Thursday, 27 Oct
Erin Rae, Golden Lion: Sunday, 30 Oct
Sara Watkins, Tunnels: Tuesday, 08 Nov
Cadillac Three, Academy: Friday, 11 Nov
Lake Street Dive, SWX: 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
The Shires, Colston Hall: Monday, 28 Nov
Chantel McGregor, Tunnels: Friday, 02 Dec
Alabama 3, Academy: Thursday, 08 Dec
Billy Bragg & Joe Henry, St. Georges: Sunday, 17 Jan
Felice Brothers, Fleece: Friday, 27 Jan
St.Paul & the Broken Bones, Trinity: Thursday, 02 Feb
Handsome Family, St. Georges: Tuesday, 28 Feb
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