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Portsmouth's premier venue for alt country, Americana, and Folk music

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Square Blog Vol. 7 – Our AMA UK Nominations

October 19, 2016 by admin

So it’s that very exciting time of the year when us members of the AMA (UK) get to nominate those musicians and songwriters that have made our world a much better and more tolerable place to live in over the last year. It was John Miles (remember him kids?!) who actually wrote the immortal line, “To live without my music would be impossible to do”, and I’m guessing that all of us here under the umbrella of the AMA (UK & USA!) would concur heartily with that sentiment?!

I actually believe that this year has been a veritable cornucopia in terms of top class releases from around the world – and nestled in amongst all the big hitters like Steve Earle & Shawn Colvin, Don Henley, Billy Bragg & Joe Henry, Chris Stapleton, Van Morrison, Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell (who have all weighed in with typically vital – and more importantly, relevant – releases), for me it’s those smaller more independent artists that seemingly come from nowhere with a collection of songs that just leave you thinking “where the hell did that come from?!” , that make this time of year so fascinating and the current americana “scene” so exciting.

For what it’s worth, here are my nominations – influenced only by the fact that I’ve actually listened to the music and for whatever reason (obscure or latent) it has touched a nerve, made me laugh, made me cry, made me angry or made me happy.

UK Album Of The Year – Lewis and Leigh “Ghost”. Tough to single one out, as there have been some awesome releases by UK artists this year. The Black Feathers “Soaked To The Bone” was equally impressive, but I’ve plumped for Lewis & Leigh by virtue of the fact that they have actually had three weeks on the Americana (UK) music charts Top 40, peaking at number 14. A beautifully put together collection of songs, where the music has a chance to breathe without the suffocating jacket of over-production.

International Album Of The Year – Blitzen Trapper “All Across This Land”. Ever eager not to be “genre-lised”, this album sees the Portland-based band moving more towards a slightly softer ‘country-inflected’ sound. The ‘art rock’ elements that are their trademark are still there, but this release is pure genius with every song bang on the money. A cohesive eclectic soundscape spanning the North American continent.

UK Artist Of The Year – Goat Roper Rodeo Band. As a promoter, i’ve had the pleasure of seeing these boys grow in stature and confidence over the last couple of years. Seeing them a few years ago at Maverick, and then more recently at our own sold out show with them, I am totally convinced that the Rhyl-based trio, and their inimitable brand of cosmic country blue, are well on the way to big things. I have described them as “the Everly Brothers on speed”, and while that is maybe a flippant observation, these boys are not only superb songwriters, they’re also top drawer entertainers and players. More fun than pants-full of monkeys!

International Artist Of The Year – Andrew Duhon. For me, this New Orleans-based songwriter is genuinely the “real deal”. His Grammy-nominated album “The Moorings” was, and still is, a landmark release. He tours the UK every year, each time growing his audience and ever honing his craft. An Andrew Duhon show is a chance to catch a master songwriter at work – lyrically the depth is astounding and literary-like in quality, and musically it is clear that each note is wrenched deep from within his soul. He is a story teller like no other.

UK Song Of The Year – The Jigantics “Frankly”. So many great songs from so many great songwriters, but I’ve gone for this one by a band a lot of you might not have heard of yet. Written by drummer Martin Fitzgibbon (who proves that drummers do often have the best voices!), this is an astute and acerbic attack that lambasts the “none for you, and all for me” culture that has been all-pervasive over the last few (?) years. Lyrically and musically this hits home with storm force – the b(w)ankers and the tax dodging, champagne quaffing classes take a figurative and richly deserved knuckle duster of a song, bang on the chin! It made me angry when I heard it and it moved me, and that’s what great music has the capacity to do.

International Song Of The Year – Carter Sampson – “Wilder Side”. A complete newcomer to me, the “Queen Of Oaklahoma” and the title track of her album, just knocked me sideways with this beautiful sunshine song. Gorgeous vocals and aching pedal steel entwine to lift the spirits – and the whole album is just as delightful. I caught her at Maverick Festival this year with just her and her trusty acoustic, and suffice to say she charmed everyone in sight.

UK Instrumentalist Of The Year – Henry Senior Jnr. Hot on the heels of ace British americana record labels such as Clubhouse and At The Helm, we now have the Maiden Voyage Recording Company, set up by none other than Del Day (ARK PR) and Danny George Wilson (Danny & The Champions Of The World), and their debut release “Plates Of Meat” from pedal steel maestro Henry Senior Jnr. This instrumental album is nothing short of phenomenal – if you can listen to an album full of instrumentals and then reach for the replay button then you know you have something special. Pedal Steel playing taken, not just out of it’s comfort zone, but to another dimension! Country-funk anyone?

Ken

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  1. Plates of Meat Reviews – Henry Senior: Pedal Steel Guitarist in London, UK says:
    April 5, 2017 at 6:59 pm

    […] http://www.squarerootspromotions.co.uk/square-blog-vol-7-ama-uk-nominations/ […]

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In case you didn't realise folks, our show at the beautiful The Tea Tray with the awesome The Luck is now almost sold out!! There are a few tickets left that's all - and here's why! If you wanna grab those last tickets then they're here: www.wegottickets.com/event/459426 _ remember, they're NOT in the shops! :)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCxRw6Dv7qoSong 'Leave Your Light On' by The Luck. Live stream clips taken from weekly performances on our Twitch channel www.twitch.tv/theluckmusic Made by the wonderf...
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PlayThe Dead South

This from The Dead South folks - Portsmouth we salute you! If you’re new to Square Roots then check out our website and maybe sign up to our mailing list - cos when we have news you’ll be the first to have a chance of getting tickets....www.squarerootspromotions.co.uk

The Dead South
This is what happens when you believe in yourselves and push through all the garbage that comes your way. This is what happens when you find people you love and they find you. This is what happens when teams, families and bonds are created and work together. This is us. Thank you, everyone. So damn much. Huge shoutout to our main man Del Suelo and our amazingly talented friends The Hooten Hallers for opening every night and slaying it. You are all incredible people. Huge thanks to Six Shooter Records for kicking so much butt and making us feel alive. Also, big thank you to Midnight Mango Ltd for getting us into these amazing venues. To the people who came out to the shows, sweat, spilt, moved and just enjoyed themselves. Let's do it again! #BastardSonTour
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Some more great photos from our The Dead South show on Wednesday taken by Rob Hall - Enjoy!Image attachmentImage attachment

Some more great photos from our The Dead South show on Wednesday taken by Rob Hall - Enjoy! ... See MoreSee Less

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Was a great night 👌

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If there are any of our page "likers" who have yet to see the awesome The Goat Roper Rodeo Band - then you REALLY need to come see them at their Square Tower show on 30th March, as part of their new album launch tour. They are all kinds of wonderful - one the most exciting live bands around that much is certain, with the chops to match! If you haven't got tickets yet....well there are just 10 left! They're at www.wegottickets.com/event/454399 or in store at Southsea's Pie and Vinyl, Southsea Gallery or Harbour Records Emsworth...but be quick!

The Goat Roper Rodeo Band
So you guys all know our 3rd record 'Tall Grass' is out March 18th right??? We got Vinyl on the way, CDs and digital download from all big stores!!! 🐐✌️ We thought a little taster was in order, so here's 'Unwrap My Bones' the title track of the record, this is footage we gathered from trips to The Netherlands + touring over here too We'd love to know what you think 🤠 here's the YouTube link if you fancy giving it a like over there 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30_TS89fekw Edited by Brandon Ridley
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LOVE these guys

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Some great photos here with the Hooten Hallers at our Dead South show last Wednesday 😀Image attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment

Some great photos here with the Hooten Hallers at our Dead South show last Wednesday 😀Show #10 The Hooten Hallers, supporting The Dead South 's The Bastard Son 2019 UK-tour, Portsmouth. Big Muddy Records 🤘 ... See MoreSee Less

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From The Blog

Square Blog Vol. 7 – Our AMA UK Nominations

So it’s that very exciting time of the year when us members of the AMA (UK) get to nominate those musicians and songwriters that have made our world a much better and more tolerable place to live in over the last year. It was John Miles (remember him kids?!) who actually wrote the immortal line,… Read More »

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