Just wondered if there were any other alt country fans out there? And if there are any good country nights in Shef, either DJ's or live bands???

I like what I've heard of a lot of Alt.Country when I've listened to Bob Harris on Radio 2.

Wouldn't say I'm an expert, but like a lot of Tex-Mex stuff - Calexico, for example - and older stuff like Gram Parsons.

joe

I was just wondering if there was interest or a night on the go already? I've only been in Shef 6 months so dont really know the scene, but was thinking of getting a night together or helping out. I use to do a bit of this kind of thing in London.

GP's great! Kind of the granddaddy of A.C.

Not a night as I know of but Sheffield is in need of an Americana type promoter.

I have an album by this lot

http://www.the-low-country.com/

I really like a London band called, The Redland Palomino Company... here's a link http://www.redlands.moonfruit.com/ dont be scared by the first page.

I'll have a listen, looks like you found yourself a niche.

I'll have a listern to the Low Country site too.. see what I rec, always open to suggestions.

its a weird thing to categorise. A lot of stuff could be alt country (Arcade Fire, Thrills, Wrens etc)

Yeah, I know there's alot of 'indie' or 'pop' stuff that has a bit of a country or americana twang. I tend to like quite a bit of that stuff but I also like some of the mainstream country such as Johnny Cash and Emmylou Harris. I think the lable 'Alt Country' just makes it a bit easier to dissassociate from all the really cheesey American Country that's popular in the states and make it more acceptable to say that you like country?

Im an Alt.Country fan :)

Both the indie variety and the more americana variety

Now then there's a thought a regular country night. I'm sure there's plenty of suitable venues around town. But is there the interest from the turns and / or the punters?
Putting a band together is an idea I've toyed with for a while. Any "talent" out there interested?

There's nowt finer than the old 'Alt Country ' stuff!!! ;)

Check out Bright Eyes, Willy Mason. M.Ward, Chris Mills, Slaid Cleves, The National .....but to name a few!! :)


......and


RICHARD HAWLEY!

Perhaps we need to compile some kinda top 20 albums or start up a swop system?? I seem to like stuff that's a bit older... (wilko, Grand Drive, Lucinda Williams, Jayhawks, ect.) probably cause I used to have money to buy CD's and now I dont. Would be keen to try some new stuff out.

I have a fiddle... but we dont talk about that.

Andy who manages Record Collector in Broomhill is a massive country rock fan - so if you're ever after any country rock stuff - thats probably the place to go...

It's always seemed to be a bit of a fuzzy genre to me, but then they all are, I guess. At the momenty particular faves are Iron and Wine, Bonnie Prince Billy, Calexico, Hammell on Trial, M Ward and Giant Sand. I'm definitely going to check out some of the other names mentioned here, though. Keep them coming!

Originally posted by Greenback
Bonnie Prince Billy

I could listen to him until the cows come home :)

the new Bright Eyes album is excellent, also try the latest from Tompaulin - into the black

Originally posted by ddolly
Just wondered if there were any other alt country fans out there? And if there are any good country nights in Shef, either DJ's or live bands???

Not aware of any alt-country bands that are Shefield based. The closest I've heard to alt-country is a band called Ebbtone who are very good.

My kind of music as well

Clearly many of you appear to be uanaware that in Sheffield we probably have available to us more Americana/Alt Country gigs than almost anywhere outside London.

Most of the gigs are promoted by a guy called Stuart Basford, who uses a number of venues depending on demand and availability of venue. In the past he has used mostly the Memorial Hall, Boardwalk and the Pheasant but recently I have attended some wonderful gigs at the Montgomery Theatre.

Over the years amongst many others I have been fortunate to see;

Ryan Adams at the Boardwalk (twice)
The Jayhawks (acoustic gig at the Memorial Hall)
Steve Earle
Pernice Brothers
Willard Grant Conspiracy
Gillian Welch

and most recently the Waifs

Mail Stuart on stuart@jewels1.freeserve.co.uk to get on his mailing list.

Originally posted by GHS1961
Clearly many of you appear to be uanaware that in Sheffield we probably have available to us more Americana/Alt Country gigs than almost anywhere outside London.



I would say Nottingham has a more thriving scene with this place

http://www.cosmicamerican.com

I am aware of Stuarts promotions his website is

www.jewelpromotions.com

Hi GHS1961,

That sounds very promising! I was hoping to uncover some kind of scene. I'll drop him a line and see what's on the horizon. Does anyone here go to the 'meets' on a Sunday? Would be good to have a chat in person and swop notes.

I forgot to mention these artists as well....

Matthew Ryan
Micah P Hinson
Ben Weaver
Old Crow Medicine Show
Kathleen Edwards

ddolly - don't go to meets, married with kids so its sometimes an effort to get to the gigs I enjoy. the other half is not a fan of this form of music.

Nottingham is probably a better organised scene, evident by the fact that none of Stuart's links currently appear to work. however over the years he has and continues to put on many acts who simply do not seem to play anywhere else nearby - the view of a mate in Retford whose only reason to come to Sheffield is to attend these gigs.

Other great nights I have enjoyed;

Howe gelb
Kurt Wagner, solo at Silverdale! ( his former school)
Kurt with Josh Rouse
Kurt with the rest of Lambchop
Nadine
Handsome Family
but possibly the best live has to be Alejandro Escovedo at the Boardwalk who was simply stunning.

My next musical highlight will be to see Lucinda Williams with Laura Cantrell in Mcr. next month

Yes! I love alt. country! I recently went to a club in London called Sin city and me and my friend have decided to copy it and do one in Sheff. It's re-assuing that other people like this stuff too!!!! It's at the Lescar on Aug 16TH. So come!!!

My word. I was unaware so many people were into country music (whether it be the alt variety or otherwise). I too am a huge fan of your alt country, as well as bluegrass, country rock and all bits inbetween.

As my good friend above states, we'll be hosting an evening dedicated to the delights of such cosmic american music, and it would lovely to see you all down there. We'll try and give as much variety as possible (within the confines of the aforementioned diverse genre) and hopefully much fun will be had.

As mentioned, the back room of the Lescar, 16th August, look out for flyers and poster.

P.S.
Anyone got the new Richmond Fontaine? Cracking.

That sounds like a grand idea! I'll definately be up for that. Good to see that something interesting's happening. Let me know if you need a hand organising anything, would be happy to help.

I'm a big bluegrass fan too, I'm also keen on the Louvin Brothers and has anyone here heard of 'Old and In the Way' I think it was Jerry Garcia's band? I have a ratty old cassette and I've been trying to find it on CD.

Originally posted by GHS1961
My kind of music as well

Clearly many of you appear to be uanaware that in Sheffield we probably have available to us more Americana/Alt Country gigs than almost anywhere outside London.

Most of the gigs are promoted by a guy called Stuart Basford, who uses a number of venues depending on demand and availability of venue. In the past he has used mostly the Memorial Hall, Boardwalk and the Pheasant but recently I have attended some wonderful gigs at the Montgomery Theatre.

Over the years amongst many others I have been fortunate to see;

Ryan Adams at the Boardwalk (twice)
The Jayhawks (acoustic gig at the Memorial Hall)
Steve Earle
Pernice Brothers
Willard Grant Conspiracy
Gillian Welch

and most recently the Waifs

Mail Stuart on stuart@jewels1.freeserve.co.uk to get on his mailing list.

its a shame it took as long as page 2 to get someone to mention the brilliance that is mr ryan adams. and im still shocked not to see whiskeytown being mentioned. :(

I have supported Stuart's shows over the years, he does a cracking job. The Wailin' Jennys at the Highcliffe earlier this year was a particular pleasure, and only a five minute walk home!
Good to hear about the planned nights at the Lescar, as folks have said there is a wide range of "country" stuff out in the big world but what about locally? I am aware of Sneaky Peek, Laconic and the "characters" that pitch up at open mics but who else is there?
New Lucinda Williams live album is something to crank up while clocking up the miles, I saw this show at Shepherd's Bush Empire (support from Beth Orton!), favourite turn in favourite theatre and now I can relive at the push of a button.

Hey StanRobinson, I think I went to that gig too, was it the other year? Didnt realise that was out as I live CD.

Dolly, S/Bush shows were in (I think) May 03, new album was recorded in San Francisco Oct 03, double album mainly World without Tears and Essence tracks live plus bits of older stuff.
If you ever feel like giving your fiddle a scrape let me know, there's plenty of opportunity.

where's the lescar?

Sharrowvale Road, just down from hunters bar roundabout.

Anyone into Magnolia Electric Co/Songs Ohia/Jason Molina? Just got the new album, 'What Comes After The Blues', and it's flippin good.

Speaking of Mr Ryan Adams, I'm going to see him next week in Manchester. Very much looking forward to it, not seen him live before, am a big fan of his solo stuff and the Whiskeytown albums.

Hi StanRobinson,

Arh the fiddle's a bit of a sore point! It was a Christmas present a few years back and after I tried a few teachers I gave up... I really wanted to learn bluegrass stuff but none of my teachers had a blooming clue, closest I found was a Trad Irish fiddle teacher. So if anyone know's a more appropriate teacher I'd love to give it another bash!

Just another note on the subject. This site quite good for finding out what's happening, several venues within striking distance.

http://www.americana-uk.com/html/home.html

Anybody interested in perfoming this kind of stuff please be in touch, the more awful harmonies the better!

That site's handy but it does become clear how few bands play in Sheffield, which is a little frustrating. I did however come across a link to me mates band 'UK States' who are very good!

Just to let you all know - I've found this fantastic website called Soul Seek. I've managed to download tons of country stuff. You enter a search and then it goes through all the other users files to see if they have a track. Great for obscure stuff!!

Anyone see Smog in Leeds? Fantastic stuff. Devandra Bernhart is also really mesmerising.

Best soundtrack of the year- "Dead Man's Shoes". I couldn't believe what great taste Shane Meadows has when I was watching that film. Adem, Calexico, Bonnie Prince Billy, Richard Hawley, the aforementioned Smog- it is like a who's who of "post folk", "alt-country" whatever you want to call it.

Lambchop are the absolute dons when it comes to winsome, pedal steeled, narrated tumbleweed tales of Yankee Doodle Dandee. Kurt Wagner's voice reaches the baritone rumbles only matched by the great Cash himself.

Good tip- get down to the next Homefires festival in London. The one two months ago was incredible. Curated by Adem, it featured James Yorkston, different acts from Scotland's The Fence Collective (a really promising scene), Badly Drawn Boy (!?)Magic Numbers and many others including Adem himself. Fourtet DJed. It was a really great day listening to innovative, laid back songs with likeminded people.

I'll stop name dropping now...

Originally posted by jake
Andy who manages Record Collector in Broomhill is a massive country rock fan - so if you're ever after any country rock stuff - thats probably the place to go...

Yeah, but he's also a massive fan of his haircut and Partridge Family tattoo!

Leah x (who has probably just lost her job)

im not sure sheffield is so hot for Alt.Country, me and my friends ended up having to go to Nottingham to see Iron and Wine back in november, but we did discover that Micah P Hinson was playing at the Boardwalk a few weeks later so we caught him too.

*edit* Just remembered that The Earlies (and Twisted Folk) played the Leadmill a few months ago. Hem supported and were really really good, if you come across a copy of Eveningland, get it!

Originally posted by jesushairdo
Yes! I love alt. country! I recently went to a club in London called Sin city and me and my friend have decided to copy it and do one in Sheff. It's re-assuing that other people like this stuff too!!!! It's at the Lescar on Aug 16TH. So come!!!

Hey you guys,
Is this night still on?
I'm away while the 12th so I might miss out on the promo.

I hope to meet all you redneck threaders at the Lescar.

All the best, SR

Yeah, it's still on. I've started putting out the flyers and posters the last few days, so look out for them.

Yeah, I went to that Micah P Hinson gig, thought he was really good, a lot looser than the album, worked really well. Although he was supposed to do a set at Record Collector the same day but never turned up. Showbiz tart. Thankfully I only live about thirty seconds away.

With regard to Sheffield not being so great for Alt Country, tis true, but then it aint that great for gigs in general, is it? Hopefully, our night will correct the balance a little, even if we are just playing their records.

PS New Smog album is fantastic.

Unfortunately I'll be on my holidays too so will miss it! Very disapointed, would love to know how it goes and do keep me posted of the next one. I used to do alot of promo and press work so let me know if you need a hand on that front.

Hmmm... where do i start, here goes:

Chris Mills, Richard Hawley, Richmond Fontaine, Steve Earle, Johnny Cash, Eels, E, Old 97's, R.E.M., Matthew Ryan, Roger Davies, Slaid Cleaves, Clem Snide, Kathleen Edwards, Ben Weaver, The HaveNots, Jeffrey Foucault, Liam Dullaghan, Griffin House, M. Ward, Strays Don't Sleep, Stephen Fretwell, Elbow, Jeff Klein, The National, Jeff Plankenhorn, Hawksley Workman, Micah P. Hinson, Bruce Springsteen, Mark Mallman, Nickel Creek, Chuck Prophet, Quiet Loner, Charles E. Cullen, Bob Dylan, The Gin Blossoms, The Arlenes, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Counting Crows, Cake, Blaze Foley, Del Amitri, Chris Isaak, Green On Red, Old Crow Medicine Show, The Lemonheads... there are probably a lot more i've missed....

Anyway, i think that's a yes.

I remember those on the Zippo label about 20 years ago, like Green on Red, Long Ryders, Jason and the Scorchers, and the Rain Parade

The first Sunday of every month is Americana Night @ Under The Boardwalk, with this months featuring a fine mix of Alt-Country, American Indie and lo-fi college rock. Full details are here in this thread: http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=259553

I'm also a big alt country fan. Like most of the stuff on here, along with stuff like the Shins etc.

Trouble is, none of my mates are into it and I'm not the kind of person to rock up to a club on my own at all!

I'll keep an eye open for more of these events.

Come down on Sunday and give it a go if you're about, you won't be on your own for sure! All nice and friendly and cheap ale too!

Well, I got a mate who I might be able to rope in. If I can, I'll come cos I quite like the sound of the artists who are playing.

Prefer "old skool" authentic country George Jones, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash etc. I've also looked on it as proper "grown up" music that talks to working people. Great for the heartbroken.
Always a bit suspicious about any "rock" involvement.

I'll probably get shot in here if I mention 'The Rascal Flatts'.:thumbsup: More 'new' country than 'alt' country maybe?

Check out "Countrified" a country rock band from Sheffield. They play Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Crossin' Dixon, Johnny Cash, Lynard Skynard, CCR etc. Awesome live. I think they are currently doing acoustic shows around the area. If you get a chance go see them.

I was just wondering if there was interest or a night on the go already? I've only been in Shef 6 months so dont really know the scene, but was thinking of getting a night together or helping out. I use to do a bit of this kind of thing in London.

GP's great! Kind of the granddaddy of A.C.

Good idea Dolly.There was a night clled Cripple Creek held at the Lescar last year. They played Gram Parsons and stuff. I've been in Shef a few years and theres definitly an interets in alt country. Me and a few people I know will come if if you run one

Good idea Dolly.There was a night clled Cripple Creek held at the Lescar last year. They played Gram Parsons and stuff. I've been in Shef a few years and theres definitly an interets in alt country. Me and a few people I know will come if if you run one

Ahem, this Sunday night! :D

The first Sunday of every month is Americana Night @ Under The Boardwalk, with this months featuring a fine mix of Alt-Country, American Indie and lo-fi college rock. Full details are here in this thread: http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=259553

For anybody who does like it a little more traditional, check out this that's happening at West Street Live on Sunday: http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=267165

A nice mix of Country/Bluegrass/Blues and Folk.