Jason Walker
New Zealand born Jason Walker’s first solo project “Stranger to Someone”(2001) successfully mixed four of his own songs with covers of some from his favourite songwriters, including Gram Parsons, Tom Waits and Bruce Springsteen. His new release “Ashes &Wine” (2003) with his band The Last Drinks, is all Jason Walker originals and, last year, he released a biography of Gram Parsons, called “God’s Own Singer”, so we had plenty to talk about in Liverpool, during his solo tour of the UK. Updated Friday, December 05, 2003 | | Paul Burch
We finally caught up with Paul Burch (www.paulburch.com), whose latest album “Fool for Love” (Spit & Polish 2003) is, quite rightly, one of the nominations for album of the year. He talked to Barry Jones about his residency at Tootsie’s, his tour with Ralph Stanley, his growing involvement in films, his views on Gram Parsons and on the CMA awards, his relationship with Lambchop, he even told us about his nude swimming with Linda Ronstadt (Is there any room for cheap sensationalism in Americana? Of course there is! Ed.) Interview date: 7th November 2003 Updated Friday, November 07, 2003 | | Handsome Family - Brett Sparks
Touring the UK and Ireland during November 2003, promoting their sixth album “Singing Bones”(Loose 2003) are the incomparable Handsome Family (www.handsomefamily.com). Their unique, thought-provoking and surreal style is captivating more and more fans, including Ringo Starr. The Handsome Family comprises husband and wife Brett and Rennie Sparks, and two years ago, Americana UK spoke to lyricist Rennie Sparks. This time, just before they set off on the tour, Barry Jones spoke to composer and principle singer Brett, at their Albuquerque, New Mexico, home. Interview date 25th October 2003 Updated Saturday, October 25, 2003 | | Caitlin Cary
Following the release of her second solo album since the demise of Whiskeytown, Caitlin Cary (www.caitlincary.com ) is touring the UK in late November 2003. It’s quite apposite, because “Late November” is a Sandy Denny work, and Caitlin has been compared favourably to Sandy. Such comparisons, however, will soon be unnecessary because Caitlin Cary is an artist who is emerging as a real force, with an individual voice and style. The latest album “I’m Staying Out”(Yep Roc 2003) reinforces the fact that Ryan Adams was not the only ex-Whiskeytowner with star quality. And she seems like a really nice person as well, according to Barry Jones, who spoke to her at her Raleigh, North Carolina, home, during her preparations for the tour. Interview date 24 October 2003 Updated Friday, October 24, 2003 | | Kim Fowley - Part I
Kim Fowley, LA Scenester, has had a musical career since the 1950’s, 102,000,000 records sold, and still counting, working with artists like Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, The Beach Boys, Jonathan Richman, Kiss, Helen Reddy, PJ Proby, Cat Stevens, Gene Vincent, Joan Jett, Warren Zevon, The Byrds, The Flying Burrito’s, and The Radio Sweethearts, amongst others. He has also been a consistent, and prolific, recording artist with a definite “alternative” feel. He has just released a new album “Fantasy World” (Shoeshine 2003), ably assisted by the multi-talented Francis McDonald (Teenage Fanclub/BMX Bandits). So is he a relentless, and successful, self-publicist and exploiter of markets, be they mainstream or alternative? Or is he a talented music maker with creative urges which need some form of release? Or all of these together? See if you can make your mind up as Barry Jones talks to the, undoubtedly, enigmatic Kim Fowley in his LA home. Updated Wednesday, November 05, 2003 | | Adam Masterson
Adam Masterson (www.adammasterson.com) released a very mature, polished and frankly, classy, debut album “One Tale Too Many”(Gravity/BMG 2003) in June 2003. The Mick Glossop-produced album featured musicians who had played with Van Morrison, and was very well received. So why, then, would 22 year-old Adam re-record one of the tracks, “Same Sad Story”, with the Charlatans’ guitarist Mark Collins in the producer’s chair, and release it as a single in November 2003? Barry Jones met up with Adam at The Liverpool Academy, and put that question, and others, to him the following week, and you can now read the answers! Interview date: 31st October 2003 Updated Friday, October 31, 2003 | | Cicero Buck
Back over in the UK for a tour right now, Cicero Buck, otherwise known as American singer/songwriter Kris Wilkinson and English bassist/songwriter Joe Hughes, have had a busy year promoting the Trailer Star Tribute for charity, recording sessions for Virgin Radio’s Captain America and more. Mark Whitfield caught up with Kris and found out a new world record for how many jobs you can do at one time... Interview: October 2003 Updated Sunday, October 05, 2003 | | John Roderick
Seattle based The Long Winters (www.thelongwinters.com) have released a new album, “When I Pretend to Fall” (Munich Records 2003). It is replete with a video for the track “Blue Diamonds”, a Pop art sleeve, big production and 26 different musicians, including REM’s Peter Buck and Ken Stringfellow, and Scott McCaughey (Minus 5). John Roderick is singer, guitarist and songwriter on the album and co-produced it, along with Stringfellow. While he was on tour in California, John took some time out to speak to Barry Jones. Interview date 18/9/03 Updated Thursday, September 18, 2003 | | Horse Stories
“One Hundred Waves” (Loose 2003) is the new album from Horse Stories (www.horse-stories.com). Australian born mainman Toby Burke describes it as “an album that was recorded on the edge of town, about people just out of reach of something or someone.” It was, in fact, recorded at Indigo Ranch, a former hunting lodge overlooking the Pacific Ocean, which has hosted the likes of Dylan and Neil Young. The result is a fitting sequel to the band’s debut album, which was described by The Sunday Times as “a work of subtle, fragile beauty.” Toby has been supporting Willard Grant Conspiracy on their current UK tour, and just before the Liverpool gig, at The Academy, he spoke to Barry Jones over a pint of Guinness at The Everyman Bistro. Interview: 30th August 2003 Updated Saturday, August 30, 2003 | | Jay Farrar
OK, well it’s not exactly an interview, more of a question and answer thing. And some of the questions are longer than the answers. But hey, they’re YOUR questions after all. We electronically spoke to the former Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt frontman Jay Farrar about his old bands, the new album, all sorts of things. This is what he had to say. Updated Tuesday, August 05, 2003 | | Jeff Lewis
Having just finished a Europen tour promoting his second album on Rough Trade Records: ‘It’s the ones who have cracked that the light Shines through’. The amazing all singing all comic book writing Jeffrey Lewis took time out from his exile in a shack in Maine writing comics books to discuss life, music and of course comics with David Adair. Updated Tuesday, August 05, 2003 | | Pete Anderson
Pete Anderson (www.peteandersonnews.com), best known as guitarist and Grammy award winning producer for Dwight Yoakam for the last eighteen years, is also Head of Little Dog Records (www.littledogrecords.com). In the late 1980’s Pete worked on two critically acclaimed compilations called “A Town South Of Bakersfield, Volumes 1&2” for Enigma records. Included on those compilations were talented individuals including Dwight Yoakam, Lucinda Williams and Jim Lauderdale. His latest projects are “A Country West of Nashville” which looks set to elevate more talented individuals to stardom, and “17 Jewels” an album by East LA band The Blazers (www.theblazers.net), a band constantly being compared to Los Lobos, but who deserve to be listened to in their own right. Barry Jones spoke to Pete, at his Los Angeles office, about the projects, the current hiatus in his relationship with Dwight Yoakam, and his views on the future of music and the internet. Interview date: 22nd July 2003 Updated Sunday, June 22, 2003 | | Yonder Mountain String Band
The Yonder Mountain String Band (www.yondermountain.com) are a Nederland, Colorado based quartet. Jeff Austin, Adam Aijala, Dave Johnston and Ben Kaufmann have given the bluegrass world an injection of youthful vigour with their Mandolin, Guitar, Banjo, Upright Bass and harmony vocal format. But their appeal is wider than bluegrass thanks to their high energy, creatively improvisational shows. Their latest album “Old Hands”(Frog Pad Records)(www.frogpadrecords.com) features the band’s friend and collaborator Benny Galloway, but they have been on a short European promotional tour, without Benny, and Barry Jones spoke to mandolin player, songwriter and vocalist Jeff Austin during the tour, before their London shows. Interview date: 28th July 2003 Updated Monday, July 28, 2003 | | Phil Lee
Phil Lee (www.phillee1.com), sometime truck driver to the stars (well Neil Young anyway!), fine singer songwriter, sings songs with a twang, a beat, and a wry sense of humour. His 2001 album “You Should Have Known Me Then” (Shanachie) was produced by one time Steve Earle producer, Richard Bennett, and included special guests Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, Alison Moorer, members of Wilco and Billy Joe Royal. And a very fine album it is too, despite Phil’s own description of it as “Same old shit, different flies”. He’s touring the UK with “The Medicine Show” (www.medicinemusic.co.uk) at the end of July, and Barry Jones spoke to him at his Nashville home, just before he left. Interview: 16th July 2003 Updated Wednesday, July 16, 2003 | | Jesse Malin
Jesse Malin is a native New Yorker. From a hard-core punk and rock’n roll background, he’s toured since he was thirteen. His solo debut album “The Fine Art of Self-Destruction”(One Little Indian Records - www.indian.co.uk) was produced by Ryan Adams, who said, “Jesse Malin’s songs are so good they hurt my feelings.” Jesse (www.jessemalin.com) has been on a short British tour following an appearance at Glastonbury, and Barry Jones caught up with him in his dressing room at The Academy in Liverpool. Interview: 7th July 2003 Updated Monday, December 05, 2005 | | Neicey Mann
English singer songwriter Neicey Mann (www.amajada.com) has released her debut album of progressive acoustic music “Decree Neicey”. Critically acclaimed by, amongst others, Clive Gregson, “Tubular Bells” producer Simon Heyworth and Americana-UK, Neicey is currently promoting the album opening some dates for Colin Vearncombe (Black), and will support Eddi Reader in August at Leicester Cathedral. She also manages label-mates Lucky Luciano, yet keeps her feet firmly on the ground. Features editor Barry Jones spoke to her about her about her plans and ambitions. Interview: 26th June 2003 Updated Thursday, June 26, 2003 | | Cosmic Rough Riders
Glasgow’s Cosmic Rough Riders’ last album “Enjoy the Melodic Sunshine” was so highly praised by just about everyone that you could barely see the CD cover for the proverbial quotes sticker - four and five star reviews abounded. Now, following the departure of frontman Dan Wylie to pursue his own solo career, the band are back with a new lead vocalist, Stephen Fleming, and the same classic sound. We caught up with them during their current UK tour and asked them about the new record, picking singles and being seized upon by the americana establishment. Interview by Mark Whitfield, June 2003. Updated Thursday, June 05, 2003 | | Mary Lee’s Corvette
Mary Lee’s Corvette (www.maryleescorvette.com) is the band setting for Mary Lee Kortes. After growing up in Whitefish, Montana, she moved to Manhattan to pursue a career as a book editor. She worked as a session vocalist for people like Freedy Johnston and Laura Cantrell, and scored a surprise hit in 2002 with “Blood on the Tracks”, a song for song reinterpretation of Bob Dylan’s album, recorded at a “classic album” night at the Arlene Grocery. She has been on tour promoting Mary Lee’s Corvette’s latest album “700 Miles”(Southbound Records), opening for Joe Jackson. Features Editor Barry Jones spoke to Mary Lee about the album, the tour and her contribution to a forthcoming collection of short stories. Interview: 4th June 2003 Updated Thursday, June 05, 2003 | | Michael Carpenter
Michael Carpenter (www.mcarp.com) is a well respected producer in Sydney, Australia who owns and runs the successful Stagefright Studios. He is also a multi-instrumentalist who plays in various bands, and for the first time he fronts his own band, Michael Carpenter & King’s Rd. Michael has been on a solo tour promoting the album “KINGSRDWORKS” (Laughing Outlaw LORCD053) (www.laughingoutlaw.com.au ) which is the first album to feature the band. Features Editor Barry Jones spoke to Michael about the tour, the new record and his future plans. Updated Monday, May 05, 2003 | | Stephen Fearing
For almost 17 years, Canadian Stephen Fearing (www.stephenfearing.com) has been writing and performing his literate and emotionally charged songs. His current album “That’s How I Walk” is a collection which varies between up-tempo acoustic rock and gentle, jazz inflected love songs, and deserves to be heard by a wider audience. At the start of the UK leg of a tour opening for Oh Susanna, Barry Jones spoke to him about the album, and his (frankly life threatening!) songwriting technique. (Interview: 8th May 2003) Updated Monday, May 05, 2003 | | Larissa Dalle
St Louis, Missouri based Larissa Dalle stopped over in Liverpool, at the start of a short tour of the UK, opening for The Handsome Family. Features Editor Barry Jones met up with her, and her band, and chatted about her inspirations, her aspirations, her last album “that’s what we’re here for” and her new album “Get on the Boat”, which was largely inspired by her year-long bout with cancer. Updated Monday, May 05, 2003 | | Grand Drive
They’ve been described by the Guardian as creating their own genre of music, alt-soul, but their latest album “See the Morning In” was such an americana masterpiece that we made it our editorial album of the year for 2002. We caught up with band members and brothers Danny and Julian Wilson about the success of the latest album, breaking America and meeting Gary Louris at SXSW. Interview by Mark Whitfield, April 2003. Updated Thursday, May 08, 2003 | | Laura Veirs
Laura Veirs (www.lauraveirs.com) has a new album released on London-based record label Bella Union, which was co-founded by Simon Raymonde from The Cocteau Twins. Produced by Tucker Martine, “Troubled by the Fire” is a blend of traditional balladry, indie–rock and alt-country, which is both sparse and complex, and different enough to mark it out as something quite special. Features Editor Barry Jones spoke to Laura during her brief tour of the UK with her touring band, The Tortured Souls. Interview: 10th April 2003 Updated Thursday, April 10, 2003 | | Jeff Finlin
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Jeff Finlin (www.jefffinlin.com) started as a drummer, but became bored with the creative constraints, and began writing songs. Now a Nashville resident, Jeff’s latest album “Somewhere South of Wonder” won rave reviews in 2002. In March and April 2003, he has been touring the UK and Ireland as opening act for Steve Earle and The Dukes. Features Editor Barry Jones met Jeff at The Black Box in Galway, on the Irish leg of the tour, and talked to him again a few days later. Updated Friday, April 18, 2003 | | Karl Broadie
After a few years absence, Sydney resident Scot Karl Broadie is back touring the UK. Following the release of the highly acclaimed new album, Black Crow Callin’ he’s touring his band throughout August 2005. Having spoken to him just after his last UK tour we took the opportunity to catch up with him before he set off this time, and Barry Jones spoke to Karl one chilly Sydney evening. Interview date: 15th July 2005 Updated Wednesday, November 30, 2005 | | Bob Collum
Bob Collum is an old friend of Americana UK. Not just because one of our Staff Writers, Dan Wilkinson, plays bass and sings in Bob’s band, The Welfare Mothers, but because he is a singer songwriter who believes in the melodic as well as the lyrical aspect of songwriting, immediately apparent to anyone who has heard the new album “the boy most likely to…”(Atomic Powered Records 2004). Another endearing trait is that Tulsa-born Bob leaves London for Americana UK’s home town of Liverpool to play whenever the opportunity presents itself, and with the new “Hell’s Ditch” monthly event taking place in the city, January sees Bob and the band coming back again. Barry Jones spoke to him about it and the new album, amongst other things. Interview date: 17th December 2004. Updated Sunday, March 30, 2003 | | Haves and Haves
“Great, great songs, an exceptional voice (Janis), perfectly blended harmonies & really nifty guitar playing (Geoff). All this and they’re British??” …Bob Harris’ (Radio 2) Whispers Website - May 2002
Praise indeed from one of the Godfathers of Americana for Haves and Haves. They are Janis and Geoff Haves (www.havesandhaves.co.uk), and they have just released a debut album, entitled “Haves&Haves” on Way Out West, and have been touring with Albert Lee. Features Editor Barry Jones spoke to them for Americana UK. Updated Sunday, March 30, 2003 | | Blues Goblins
Sam Coombes, ex-bandmate of Elliott Smith and ex-husband of Janet Weiss, half of Quasi and all of Blues Goblins, talks Mark Phillips about the Goblins, SXSW, Sleater-Kinney, John Peel and the Portland (OR) scene..... Updated Sunday, March 30, 2003 | | The Goldenhour
March sees the release of “Beyond the Beyond”, the debut album from five piece Glasgow band the goldenhour, licensed for release on Raft Records, owned by Daniel Wylie, singer/songwriter and former frontman of The Cosmic Rough Riders. 2003 started early for the goldenhour when they took the stage for their first gig of the year at 12.50 am on Wednesday January 1st having been invited to play as part of their home city’s famous New Year celebrations. Features editor Barry Jones caught up with the band, Neil Sturgeon, Dave Andrews, Neil Menzies, Andy Gailey and Ally Maclean, with the release date less than a month away. Updated Thursday, February 27, 2003 | | Kathleen Edwards
Canadiana artist Kathleen Edwards burst on to the scene with Failer in 2003. Universally acclaimed, it opened many doors and the ensuing years have seen her establish herself as a major artist, touring with the likes of Bob Dylan and opening for AC/DC and The Rolling Stones. 2005 sees the release of her follow up album Back To Me, and during her promotional UK tour she visited Liverpool and spoke to Barry Jones in the comfort of her tour bus. Updated Thursday, February 27, 2003 | | David Ogilvy
David Ogilvy’s debut album “Like It Is” oozes class. It is an understated, yet complex, album of songs in an acoustic setting, which fuses Latin rhythms with pedal steel guitar and tasteful playing throughout. Features editor Barry Jones caught up with David during his preparations for promotional concerts in Scotland. Interview: 13th February 2003 Updated Thursday, February 27, 2003 | | Anna Kashfi
Anna Kashfi are a Manchester based roots outfit comprising Sian Webley (vocals, percussion), James Youngjohns (guitar, keyboards, viola), Sarah Kemp and Peter Martin. We caught up with founder members James and Sian and asked them about their music, the whole genre thing and becoming a four piece band. Interview by Mark Whitfield, January 2003 Updated Thursday, January 30, 2003 | | John Wesley Harding
Originally from East Sussex and signed to Warners but now based in Seattle in the US, John Wes is an incredibly talented singer-songwriter over here at the moment for a rare series of UK dates - we asked him about loving America, his music and Bob Dylan. Interview by Mark Whitfield, January 2003 Updated Thursday, January 30, 2003 |
|
