Square Roots Promotions

“Rae brings a refreshing, young perspective to the Americana genre, without pretension. Her solo work stands out in a sea of endless singer-songwriters. A hidden gem in plain sight, and one that will likely only attract more attention and praise through this coming year!” (Wide Open Country - 10 Rising Female Country Artists You Should Follow).

Wednesday 26th October 2016

Exclusive “House Concert” in the beautiful upstairs room of…
The Square Tower
Broad Street
Old Portsmouth
Hants
PO1 2JE

Limited strictly to 40 people only

Doors open 7.00pm

Tickets £10 each, £12 on the door (if not sold out)

Sorry folks but this show is also now SOLD OUT - for any returned tickets please e-mail us at ken@squarerootspromotions.co.uk 

 

Only our second “house concert” of the year, but we’re simply thrilled honey to be able to present the ridiculously talented Nashville singer / songwriter Erin Rae in one of our rare and always special intimate shows in the lovely upstairs room of the Square Tower. If you’ve never been to one of these before, then you really are in for a treat, as we limit numbers to 40, you’ll be up close and personal with the artist and it’s an amazing chance to hear the songs as they were originally conceived. Tickets for these shows normally sell very quickly, so of course we’d always recommend that you get your tickets early!

“It’s simply beautiful! Somewhere between the folk/pop that has emerged from Nashville and across the pond with London’s ‘new-folk’ scene and a classic Americana sound..”



Growing up in Jackson, Tennessee, Erin Rae got an early introduction to folk music at home. Her mom and dad were both part-time musicians, playing their own brand of American roots music at churches, county fairs and coffee shops in west Tennessee. Starting as early as five years old, she would join them for a song or two.

Two decades later, she's still spending her time onstage — this time as the main act. As the leader of Erin Rae and the Meanwhiles, she walks the line between old-school folk and modern Americana, creating a sound that nods to her influences while pushing ahead toward something new. It's music that breathes, filled with pedal steel, vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar, bright bursts of melody and plenty of space. It's also music that's taken her halfway across the world, with Erin playing shows everywhere from Nashville (her adopted hometown) to Switzerland.

She has graced stages alongside young guns  Cale Tyson, Andrew Combs, Margo Price, Steelism, and is very much part of the vibrant country scene in Nashville.

“Erin Rae has one of those languid, honey-soaked voices that feels much older than its years and wouldn’t feel at all out of place among the ladies of Laurel Canyon, if she hadn’t been born 40 years too late. In terms of contemporaries Rae could be likened to Laura Marling and, on the male side, Andrew Combs. That’s some pretty good company right there!” (Bluegrass Station)

Erin and company recorded their full-length debut, “Soon Enough”, during an inspired two days in west Nashville. The group played live, tracking their parts together to capture the spirit of their concerts. There was no studio wizardry, no click track, no digital enhancement. Instead, the album — which Erin co-produced with Michael Rinne, Rodney Crowell's touring bassist — serves as a gorgeous, no-frills Polaroid of Erin Rae and Meanwhiles' sound, a sound they've been sharpening ever since the release of the “Crazy Talk” EP in 2010.

During the six years that separate “CrazyTalk” from “Soon Enough”, a lot of life was lived. Erin's songs tackle all of it: the changes, challenges and celebrations that come with a life dedicated to art. There are songs that deal with mental illness. Songs that deal with the importance of staying present. Songs inspired by childhood, adulthood and all the lovers and co-conspirators you meet in between.
The present wouldn't be possible without the past. “Soon Enough” bridges the gap between the two, taking its inspiration from both places. This is new music for old souls.

“With a voice that swoons and soothes, Erin Rae makes smooth-edged music. Her arrangements, anchored by pedal steel guitar and the steady strum of an acoustic guitar, may be rooted in modern day indie-folk, but the songs themselves rustle up comparisons to Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne” (Rolling Stone, Americana Music Fest Must See Acts)

You Tube Video Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk9Zxc3HhkA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOpUiYK6kSY

"A dazzling fusion of bluegrass, country, pop and even a little bit of Tin Pan Blues!” (Chuck Dauphin, Music News Nashville)

Friday 11th November 2016

The Square Tower
Broad Street
Old Portsmouth
Hants
PO1 2JE

Doors Open 7.15pm. Show starts 7.45pm.

Tickets £12 each (£14 on the door if not sold out).

Tickets available securely online at: www.wegottickets.com/event/370971

Alternatively, physical tickets can be purchased in store at Pie & Vinyl in Castle Road, Southsea or Southsea Gallery in Albert Road, Southsea. You can also send a cheque for the required amount of tickets (made payable to Ken Brown), along with a SAE, to our address (which you’ll find on the side bar here). If in doubt then please phone the box office on 02392 382888.

Eleanor Underhill, Molly Rose and Salley Williamson create the foundation for an international recognised female trio known for blending aspects of Bluegrass, Americana, Country and Rhythm & Blues into an authentic sound that is all their own - “Heartfelt Country Soul”!

Earlier this year, our good friend Peter Christopherson alerted us to the fact that he was managing an absolutely brilliant americana trio from Asheville, North Carolina called Underhill Rose, and that we should, with all haste, go and see them! Well they were briefly in the country for about a week playing some promotional shows in readiness for their main tour this November. We crammed into a tiny show to see them in Guildford, and the place was jam packed, and as soon as the girls started to play you could see and hear immediately why there was a real buzz about them. We knew then and there that we just had to try and get the band to Portsmouth to play a show for us all, and we’re ecstatic to say that we have done just that!

“One of the most promising roots women artists in the Americana scene!” (No Depression)

Harmonies. Soul touching lyrics. Underhill Rose has put its talents to work to become synonymous with fresh, beautiful Americana music.

With Eleanor playing her distinctive claw-hammer style on a Deering banjo along with harmonica, Molly Rose on guitar and Salley plucking the upright bass, the trio has carved a place in the Americana scene with songs that run the gamut from heart wrenching to sassy and playful to thought-provoking. Eleanor’s salty blues inspired voice and Molly’s soaring range lead the group in tandem with Salley’s country twang to create three part harmony music that is inspired, and rooted in everything life has thrown at Asheville, North Carolina’s pre-eminent female trinity.

The successful completion of a crowd-funding campaign kick started 2013, a year that will go down as career -defining for the trio. The financial support from fans led to the recording of the groups second release - the Cruz Contreras (The Black Lillies) produced “Something Real”, at the multi-Grammy Award generating Echo Mountain Recording Studios. The product is a result of the boot-wearing trifecta’s close-knit collaboration that, for the first time, features all three women singing their own self-written material.

“Listening to Underhill Rose’s new album is like sitting on a shady veranda on a hot summer day with a paddle fan overhead and a sweaty pitcher of lemonade beside you. It’s that sweet and relaxing!” (Keith Lawrence, Bluegrass Notes)

 

“Something Real” debuted in May 2013 and quickly began climbing the Americana Music Association Airplay Chart. The release would spend 10 weeks in the Top 40, and an additional 12 in the Top 100. By the end of the year, the album was named an AMA Top 100 album of the year. The groups record also appeared in the Top 25 on the EuroAmericana, Freeform Americana Radio and The Alternate Root “Roots 66” charts.

After a year of extensive touring, Underhill Rose had plenty of fodder for a third original album, and so they launched a second successful fan-funding campaign and then followed that with a five week national tour and appearances on syndicated shows in the States. Finally the group settled into the recording studio and created their best work yet - “The Great Tomorrow”.

Underhill Rose are poised for another ground-breaking year in their musical journey. Underhill Rose make music from the heart, drawing inspiration from life-long listening to folk, old country and rhythm & blues. Armed with a fresh sound and an extraordinary ability to blend a multitude of different musical genres, Underhill Rose are an acoustic trio that will touch your soul.

“This trio of lovely young women could have sold out to Nashville for their good looks and pretty voices alone, but thankfully they decided to opt for vintage country sound, rooted in bluegrass, folk and blues, linking them with indelible pop hooks and soulful harmonising!” (No Depression)

Support for the evening comes from the brilliant UK bluegrass duo Jonas & Jane, who some of you may have caught playing at our all day “Grand Ole Charity Show” earlier this year. If you saw them then, you’ll already know how great they are! They have also been described as “one of the must-see acts in the UK’s thriving Americana scene”, with their harmony driven and bluegrass influenced folk, and we’re really excited that they have added their considerable talents to what promises to be an awesome evening of top quality Americana music!

Check Out These Videos - then you’ll want to purchase your ticket :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThLAGl1fGdU&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC83fnyh62o&list=RDaC83fnyh62o#t=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AeI8kWTFnc

“I am so impressed with Robert’s music. Strong songs laced with blues and country. He is the real deal!” (‘Whispering’ Bob Harris)

“Danni Nicholls is a classic songwriter, her feet firmly rooted in Americana” (Spiral Earth)

Tuesday 22nd November 2016

The Square Tower
Broad Street
Old Portsmouth
Hants
PO1 2JE

Doors Open 7.15pm. Show Starts 7.45pm.

Tickets £12 each (£14 on the door if not sold out).

Tickets available securely online at: www.wegottickets.com/event/371897

Alternatively, physical tickets can be purchased in store at Pie & Vinyl in Castle Road, Southsea or Southsea Gallery in Albert Road, Southsea. You can also send a cheque for the required amount of tickets (made payable to Ken Brown), along with a SAE, to our address (which you’ll find on the side bar here). If in doubt then please phone the box office on 02392 382888.



2016 is turning out to be a bumper year for us here at Square Roots towers, with so many of the top Americana artists from around the world choosing to come and play for our amazing audience - and we’re thrilled to announce that two of the UK’s most promising emerging talents are now booked in to the Tower in a unique double-header show that will rock your proverbial boat!

Regular listeners to Bob Harris on BBC Radio 2 will already no doubt be familiar with the music of Liverpudlian Robert Vincent as Bob is a massive fan of this young man - indeed he was the first recipient of the Americana Music Association UK’s “Emerging Artist” Award this year, chosen by Bob himself.

“Vincent mixes Folk, Rock and Country, employing piano, strings and howling pedal steel against a gravel washed Richard Hawley vocal. A young man filled with dreams, regret and shocking talent, giving his all. Now is his time!” (**** Mojo)

Having seen him play live at an event called Bluebird at the Bluecoat which brought the legendary Bluecoat Cafe from Nashville to Liverpool, Bob invited Robert to record one of his Under The Apple Tree Sessions in his home studio and also for his Radio 2 show. Clearly this consolidated Bob’s admiration for this talented musician as he recently awarded Robert the prestigious and first ever Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award for Americana UK describing him as ”absolutely magnetic” . Bob said: “ I am so impressed with Robert’s music. Strong songs laced with blues and country. He is the real deal”.

This endorsement of Robert is further consolidated by Bob’s invitation to him to play at the Under the Apple tree festival later this year. 2016 will also see Robert playing at the Maverick festival. Add to this several headline shows of his own, a trip in March to Nashville for the Tin Pan Songwriters Festival and a performance at the famous Bluebird Café and you begin to realise that Robert Vincent is someone special.

“Live, he is a colossus! In Robert Vincent, Liverpool has a giant of such lyrical repose, of such melancholic absolution, that he towers in virtue each time he steps on to a stage, physically and musically.” (Ian Hall, Liverpool Sound & Vision)

Vincent credits his influences to his upbringing where his formative years were spent listening to his father’s collection of Emmylou Harris , Charlie Rich and Waylon Jennings albums and his older brothers introducing him to Pink Floyd. These early influences can be detected in Vincent’s own story telling style of songwriting. He stirs a range of emotions with songs that, although often melancholic, are never maudlin, the memorable melodies leaving you feeling uplifted.

In 2013 Vincent released his debut album “Life in Easy Steps” . The title track was play listed on Radio 2 and received 4/5 Star Reviews in the music press. Since then he has been receiving National airplay on both Janice Long and Bob Harris’ Radio 2 shows and on Radcliffe and Maconie as well as local airplay throughout Merseyside. Last year he supported James Blunt , playing to a packed Arena. Blunt said he chose him as support because: “I really like the sound of Robert Vincent’s voice, and the craftsmanship with his songwriting”

A new album, funded by a pledge campaign, is close to completion and will be released over the coming months. Those already in on the secret that is Robert Vincent, await eagerly in anticipation.

And as if that weren’t enough to drag you from the slumbers of your plush comfy armchair, then co-headlining we have the amazing talents of Bedford’s Danni Nicholls whose critically acclaimed “A Little Redemption” album, recorded in East Nashville with a stellar cast of musicians including the legendary Al Perkins on dobro and Steve Fishnell on pedal steel, was eclipsed by the follow up “Mockingbird Lane”, which once again had the critics drooling with love.

“If Danni Nicholls came from Nashville rather than Bedford she would already be better known. After all she possesses an old-school country voice as capable of a sumptuous Cline-like croon as it is of the husky intimacies of an Alison Krauss, and a warm, wry line in confessional songwriting!” (Andrew Mueller, Uncut Magazine, 8/10)

From a young age, Danni Nicholls was soaking up American folk, country and rock n roll music from her Grandmother’s record collection in her small home town of Bedford, UK. When she inherited her Uncle Heathcliff’s 1963 Burns London Shortscale Jazz guitar (rumoured to have belonged to Billy Fury!) aged 16, all those influences came pouring back out in the form of her own original material and has been flowing ever since.

Danni met bassist/producer Chris Donohue (The Civil Wars, Elvis Costello, Robert Plant) in London in 2011 through a mutual friend whilst Chris was in the UK playing bass with Emmylou Harris as one of her Red Dirt Boys. The pair have now made two critically acclaimed albums together with some of Nashville’s finest musicians featuring on the tracks. Debut ‘A Little Redemption’ was released July 2013 on Transmission Recordings and new album Mockingbird Lane was self-released in October 2015.

“My time in Music City working with these great, great musicians was a hugely inspirational and surreal experience. It forced me to raise my game and push my boundaries. I’ve come away with two albums which I’m immensely proud of”

“Mockingbird Lane’ is a fabulous record that is a testimony to Danni Nicholls’ rising talent. Her mastery of Americana is impressive…her songwriting is tight and authentic, and her vocals are raw and distinctive, bringing each song to life and letting us know exactly who’s singing it. Definitely one to watch as she spreads her wings!” (For The Country Record)

Armed with her trusty, ‘weathered and worn’ Tanglewood guitar, Danni has been touring relentlessly far and wide, honing her craft and wooing audiences. A vibrant, spell-binding performer, she has been invited to support many artists such as Todd Snider, Jolie Holland, Kim Richey, Jim Lauderdale, Angus and Julia Stone, Bobby Bare Jr, Nell Bryden, Tift Merrit and Diana Jones.

With performances guaranteed to melt your heart into the soles of your cowboy boots, her passionate delivery, captivating velvet voice and charmingly engaging between-song banter compel you to fall under her spell.

You Tube Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2aVumycGzs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAVl1dYOxKc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=464XMg2-rz4

“A phenomenal talent, drawing on gospel, soul and country inflections!” (The Independent)

Friday 16th December 2016

The Square Tower
Broad Street
Old Portsmouth
Hants,
PO1 2JE

Doors open 7.15pm. Show starts 7.45pm.

Tickets £12 each (£14 on the door if not sold out).

Tickets available securely online at: www.wegottickets.com/event/367102

Alternatively, physical tickets can be purchased in store at Pie & Vinyl in Castle Road, Southsea or Southsea Gallery in Albert Road, Southsea. You can also send a cheque for the required amount of tickets (made payable to Ken Brown), along with a SAE, to our address. If in doubt then please phone the box office on 02392 382888.

Yes, it’s the annual Square Roots Xmas Cracker show!! If you’ve been to our last three Xmas shows, then you’ll know that they are always special occasions. And this year is not going to be any different as we have the amazing Yola Carter and her band playing for us - this lady is truly top drawer and we can’t wait for you all to see and hear just how great she is!

“A voice to die for - it could be likened to Aretha Franklin. She is that good!”
(Maverick Magazine)

A force of nature and an incredibly talented singer-songwriter, former Phantom Limb frontwoman Yola Carter was raised on gospel and is a greatly in-demand singer and writer on the dance scene (Duke Dumont, Massive Attack, Chase & Status, DJ Fresh and many more).

However, country and soul from the likes of The Band, Staple Singers, Otis Redding and Dolly Parton has always been her true passion and she has now come home musically to embark upon the latest chapter of her career as a solo Americana artist.

Yola’s powerhouse voice and stage presence, superb original songs and striking arrangements from a supremely skilful and sympathetic band all combine to create a sensational live show.

“One of the best vocalists I’ve seen!” (For The Country Record)

“Loose limbed, soulful and funky – if you closed your eyes it sounded like Mavis Staples fronting The Band…a stadium-sized talent!” (Bristol 24/7)

“You gotta come and hear this woman! She’s for real! She’ll blow you away!" (Jamie Freeman, Union Music)

 

You Tube Video Links

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg9ZoYAexAY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtmDIC1E1FI

 

“A brilliant band, and a good example of that crossover where Britain meets America and it makes it a very special sound indeed!” (Ralph McLean - BBC Radio)

Saturday 18th February 2017

The Square Tower
Broad Street
Old Portsmouth
Hants
PO1 2JE

Doors open 7.15pm. Show starts 7.45pm.

Tickets £12 each (£14 on the door if not sold out).

Tickets available securely online at: www.wegottickets.com/event/369124

Alternatively, physical tickets can be purchased in store at Pie & Vinyl in Castle Road, Southsea or Southsea Gallery in Albert Road, Southsea. These won’t be in the shops until a bit nearer the time. You can also send a cheque for the required amount of tickets (made payable to Ken Brown), along with a SAE, to our address. If in doubt then please phone the box office on 02392 382888.

We were lucky enough this year to have Rebecca and Simon (Duo) support rising Nashville country star Cale Tyson at his sold out show with us, and they really knocked us out, and obviously our audience too, as we were inundated with requests to have them back for a full gig in their own right. And that’s exactly what we’ve done, so we’re thrilled to be able to welcome back The Rosellys for a full band show! And if that isn’t excitement enough, we also have the wonderful singer / songwriter Luke Tuchscherer supporting!

"The Rosellys are a 5-piece band who make no apology for their love of Americana. Musically, they blend English accents with lyrical references to both the UK and US alongside well pitched bass, feisty drum beats and stunning pedal steel and fiddle to create a sound that walks the fine line between Celtic folk and Americana" (Nashville Over Here)

In 2015 The Rosellys signed to Clubhouse Records (Redlands Palomino Co, Cale Tyson, Don Gallardo, Erin Rae) and released their first full band album 'The Granary Sessions', gathering praise from musicians, critics and audiences alike. They have toured extensively across the UK, Australia and America - notably the Southern States where San Antonio (Texas) has become their second home. Influenced by artists such as Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons, Alison Krauss, Chris Stapleton, Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, it is clear The Rosellys have an absolute love for Americana music.


"Hailing from the UK, The Rosellys are really quite an exceptional band that proves the British country music scene is by no means dead and buried” (Maverick Magazine)

The Band formed when Rebecca (guitar/vocals) met Simon (guitar/vocals/fiddle) in 2005. Allan (pedal steel/resonator) joined the band in 2006 - recording on all of their albums to date including Drive Through The Night (2006), One Way St (2008), Two Much Like Trouble (2011) and The Granary Sessions (2015). Matt (bass) joined the band in 2015 followed by Andy (drums) creating a powerful alt-country sound.

"The Rosellys capture the essence of country, with folk ingredients baked into a transatlantic roots fusion." (R2 4/5 Stars)

Support for the evening comes from another rising star of the UK Americana scene, Luke Tuchscherer, whose debut album “You Get So Alone At Times That It Just Makes Sense” was voted second best album of the year in Americana UK’s readers poll, along with second best male artist.

“A confessional brand of Americana. A performance worthy of a headline slot. His songs are laced with relevance and a deceptively easy, but powerful, lyrical depth.” (Nashville Over Here)

The album attracted universal acclaim, and we can vouch for the fact that the album is pretty special indeed, which is why we’re really pleased that Luke agreed to come and play this support slot for us. We know you’re going to love him!

Check out the videos below and see what a great night it’s going to be!

You Tube Video Links

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgHi2dX99co

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSnqakqT7U0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiLoiGU2ugY

The Tea Tray
31 Osborne Road
Southsea
Portsmouth
Hants PO5 3LR

Tickets £10 in advance. £12 on the door (if not sold out).

Doors Open 7.30pm. Show Starts 8.00pm.

Secure Online Ticket Sales: www.wegottickets.com/event/376576



We’ve been asked countless times by you, our supporters, when we would be having another show in the gorgeous Tea Tray in Osborne Road - well here it is!

Tickets for this one are ONLY available online at the We Got Ticket link, to reserve via our e-mail address at ken@squarerootspromotions.co.uk , or in store in The Tea Tray itself. There are only going to be 40 tickets available due to the venue size, but this will be the most amazing chance to see 2 of British folks most exciting musicians, in the most intimate of settings! And if you saw them headline our afternoon Histio charity show in the Summer, then you’ll know just how great Marion and Gregg are! Once the online tickets and our own allocation have gone, then you will have to pop into the Tea Tray to grab any remaining tickets. Our advice is to be quick!

For those of you who came along to The Tea Tray to see our up close and personal show with Grammy nominee Andrew Duhon, you’ll know what a beautiful little venue this is. We think this amazing little cafe is the perfect venue in which to see these amazing artists up close and personal! Notwithstanding that, The Tea Tray is fully licensed, so you’ll be able to have a nice drink and Nicki also makes the most amazing cakes! It promises to be a gorgeous evening!



Marion Fleetwood and Gregg Cave met through new folk supergroup TRADarrr.

They share a love of performing live and for honest, expressive and original interpretations of traditional music from around the UK, combined with their own original material.

Marion has a voice which has been described as “mesmerising” and “siren-esque”, and plays all things bowed. Ashley Hutchings MBE has said “she deserves to be ranked amongst the finest singers in this country”.

She has been a well known figure on the folk scene and is probably best known as a multi-instrumentalist member of new folk supergroup TRADarrr and The Jigantics. She was a member of Meet on the Ledge and the award winning ColvinQuarmby - now known as The Gerry Colvin Band, which she still performs with. She has also appeared live with, amongst many others, Feast of Fiddles and has appeared in one guise or another at festivals and venues across Europe and the UK.

She released her first solo album, 'Holding Space', in the summer of 2015.

“Marion Fleetwood’s sublime voice alone would make anyone who hears it stand up and take notice. She is clearly a future force to be reckoned with!” (Nigel Schofield, Author: Fairport by Fairport & RT - The Life And Music Of Richard Thompson)

Since forming folk-rock band CAVE when he was 18 years old, Gregg Cave, has been performing in concerts and at festivals in the UK and mainland Europe. In recent years Gregg has collaborated with musicians and storytellers and has been commissioned by the Arts Council and National Trust to produce two separate pieces of performance. Gregg is also a founder member of TRADarrr.

His new album ‘Old England Grown New’ has now been released to great critical acclaim with BBC Introducing calling it “very special”. In addition to the fine collection of Northamptonshire musicians joining Gregg on this album, Dave Swarbrick (ex-Fairport Convention) played fiddle on the opening track ‘The Bonny Lass of Anglesey’.

“We’ve been following Gregg for a couple of years now and his songwriting and interpretation of English folk songs has a refreshingly honest feel about it, plus his live sound is developing into something very special indeed.” (BBC Music Introducing)

Their debut album as a duo, 'People Like Us', was Crowdfunded in 8 weeks and recorded over 5 days in a village hall in Northampton, with the added musical input of Tali Trow (double bass) and Paul Johnston (drums and percussion). It includes new material from both Marion and Gregg, along with one cover - Fairport Convention track 'Wizard of the Worldly Game' (with the definitive lyrics to the final verse sent to them by Simon Nicol himself after an exhaustive on-line search showed much confusion!). Friends of the pair joined them to complete the recording and include Simon Nicol and Chris Leslie of Fairport Convention, Anna Ryder, Edwina Hayes, Debs Earl and Chris Cleverley. It will be released in January 2017 and the 25 date 'People Like Us' Tour includes gigs across England and Wales.

“Perfectly balanced voices and instrumental virtuosity…a fine concert from two seasoned performers with much still to offer”. (Lichfield Guildhall)

“Square Roots Promotions was one of the organisations which pledged their support and this gig is Fleetwood Cave's thank you to Ken and his team for their amazing and continued support of musicians and live music.” (Marion & Gregg)

Promo Photos Courtesy Of Paul Michael Hughes

You Tube Video Links

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyDFBQhItOY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pt4hnfC0tg

 

“Woody sounds like Willie Nelson singing a Johnny Cash song in a 1930’s Alabama juke joint! Wildly addicting!” (No Depression)

Thursday 13th April 2017

Doors Open 7.15pm. Show Starts 7.45pm.

Tickets £12 each (£14 on the door if not sold out).

Tickets available securely online at: www.wegottickets.com/event/370856

Alternatively, physical tickets can be purchased in store at Pie & Vinyl in Castle Road, Southsea or Southsea Gallery in Albert Road, Southsea. These won’t be in the shops until a bit nearer the time. You can also send a cheque for the required amount of tickets (made payable to Ken Brown), along with a SAE, to our address. If in doubt then please phone the box office on 02392 382888.

Here at Square Roots towers we’re simply thrilled (honey) to be able to host a show for the downright wonderful Woody Pines! On their last visit to European shores last year, these guys did indeed ‘rip it up’ leaving reviewers all over the country frothing at the gills, so naturally we’re very excited that they’ve chosen to come and play for us all in the historic surrounds of the Square Tower. This one will sell out doubly quick, so even though it’s a way away yet we’d really recommend getting your tickets early!

And if you’re wondering where the music of Nashville troubadour Woody Pines comes from, then look to the streets! It was on the streets as a professional busker that Woody first cut his teeth, drawing liberally from the lost back alley anthems and scratchy old 78’s of American roots music, whether country blues, jugband, hokum or hillbilly. Heavy, rollicking street performances are the key to some of todays best roots bands, like Old Crow Medicine Show (Woody and OCMS’ Gill Landry used to tour the country in their own jugband), and they’re the key to Woody’s intensely catchy rhythms, jumpy lyrics, and wildly delirious sense of fun. Woody travelled all over the streets of the States road testing his songs, drawing from the catchiest elements of the music he loved and adding in a hopped-up vintage electrification to get that old country dancehall sound down right.

“Woody Pines is the best band I ever heard in my life, I swear! I’m their biggest fan now!” (Billy Joe Shaver)

This is gonzo folk music, the kind of raise-the-rafters, boot-shakin’ jump blues that used to be banging out of juke joints all over the South in the late 40’s. It’s tempting to call his newest music rockabilly, but it might be more accurate to call his new songs “hillbilly boogie”, a rarely remembered genre of American music made famous by the Delmore Brothers. Hillbilly boogie sits at the exact moment when the buzzed-out, electrified hillbilly country music of Appalachia first hit the sawdust-floored honky tonks of old Nashville and Memphis. It was the moment exactly before the birth of rock ’n’ roll.

When Woody Pines sings “when the train rolls by, I get a faceful of rain”, this isn’t some hipster dilettante twisting a faux-handlebar moustache and singing about old-time railroads, this is a dedicated student of Woody Guthrie who used to hop freight trains to get from town to town.

This is serious roots music that’s as much a way of life as an aesthetic choice. This music isn’t for dabblers, you gotta feel it in your bones. Let Woody Pines help!

What The Critics Say:

"When showtime comes, you just know these guys will rip it up!" (Acoustic magazine)

“Fiery moonshine spirit that sparkles with feelgood freshness!” (Maverick Magazine)

“This is a band that draws followers from a wide spectrum, thanks to a depth of character repertoire-wise that covers everything from ragtime and roots-of-Country material to country blues and rockabilly. We can guarantee that it’s always a lively night when Woody Pines come to town!” (Brookfield Knights)

“An intoxicating blend of rural and urban stringband, country blues and jug band music!” (Maverick Magazine)

“Woody Pines brings together a respectful interpretation of ole timey American music while peppering in some original material influenced by a wide array of traditional music. The music is energetic, fun, and artfully rendered!” (Shaker Steps)

You Tube Video Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wZpPxBXkq4&list=PLw6_ZdXb6Pe8My0jChoK5yJHFEPx2-vem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxVdKiTVntI