Judy Blank signs with Rounder Records Dinosaur single out now

February 03, 2025 by David Vousden in Americana, Indie, Roots

Netherlands-born but now Nashville-based Judy Blank has signed with the influential Rounder Records label. A new digital multi-track single 'Lil’ Mood' will be released on March 14th to coincide with an appearance at SXSW. In the meantime, check out the environmentally conscious ‘Dinosaurs’ for a taste of Blank’s eclectic sound, which, on this occasion, mixes a dreamy 1960s cool vibe with a 1980s synth soundscape. Blank will also be hitting the road in the USA, her native country, and even has a couple of shows pencilled in for the UK. Full details and the video for ‘Dinosaurs’ follow:

The Americana Music Association UK announces UK Americana Music Week 2024, Monday 22 - Thursday 25 January in Hackney, London

November 27, 2023 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Country Rock, Roots, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

London’s Hackney will, once again, be the place to be in January 2024 when UK Americana Music Week returns to the borough. 22 - 25 January are the all-important dates, with events and artist showcases in multiple venues culminating in the UK Americana Awards Show. London fans are well served, with many more shows throughout the capitol during January and February. The full press release follows:

Canada House brings the very best Canadian music to UK Americana Music Week 2023

January 10, 2023 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Country Rock, Festivals, News, Roots, singer-songwriter, Blues, Folk

Canada’s official Music Export platform, ‘Canada House’, returns to the UK for two days of music by 12 carefully curated Canadian artists at the UK Americana Music Week 2023, 23-26th January, in London. CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association) in partnership with Music PEI will be putting down roots at Moth Club in Hackney on the 24/25th of January to showcase the very best in Canadian music. The impressive list of artists includes Tara McLean, William Prince, Andrew Waite and Julian Taylor, to name but four. More about the UK Americana Music Week 2023 and the Canadian contingent follows:

Free Downloadable Blues and Roots music samplers from CRS

January 06, 2022 by David Vousden in Americana, Blues, Roots

When it comes to the promotion of Americana, Blues and Roots music artists in Europe few can hold a candle to Continental Record Services in the Netherlands. They’ve had a banner year in 2021 and we’re pleased to be able to share the links to two free downloadable samplers featuring the very best in Blues and Roots music. Artists include Dean Owens, Martha Fields, Anna Elizabeth Laube, Big Daddy Wilson, Starlite Campbell Band, Robert Jon and The Wreck, Jim Keller and many more.

RGM presents The Maple Leaf Roundup #24

July 22, 2021 by Rich Barnard in Pop, singer-songwriter, Folk, Alternative Rock, Roots

At the risk of repeating myself, I must say that there is an astonishing wealth of Canadian talent out there right now. I use the word ‘wealth’ there, in the Besos and Musk sense. Seriously though, Canada, it is a bit embarrassing. Unlike the uber-rich, here at RGM we believe that there’s more than enough gold to go round, so we make a point of sharing with you a regular selection of tunes that may not otherwise have reached your ears. I use the word ‘regular’ there, loosely of course (our Canadian office is woefully understaffed at present) but we do our best to see that these musicians do not go untrumpeted. We’re certain you’ll find something to dig here and, when you do, we hope you’ll tell your pals.

Song Premiere: Jesse Brewster 'Southern'

February 26, 2021 by David Vousden in Americana, Roots

Jesse Brewster is a man on a mission. The San Francisco based singer/songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist has spent two decades sharpening his skills and will release his fifth solo album ‘The Lonely Pines’ on March 5th, 2021. 'The Lonely Pines' perfectly captures a sound that mixes elements of Americana, country and folk. Never one to let the grass grow under his feet Brewster balances his solo career with multiple side projects including an R&B-influenced record, a hard rock trio, and a rock opera that is being developed for Broadway. He also teaches music, tours regularly and occasionally, I believe, finds time to sleep. RGM is pleased to premiere ‘Southern’ a track from ‘The Lonely Pines’ that finds Brewster at his most mournful employing a deep, rich vocal to reflect on the state of things over a bed of acoustic guitars and plaintive harmonica. Please read on to check out ‘Southern’ and to learn more about Jesse Brewster and ‘The Lonely Pines’.

RGM presents The Maple Leaf Roundup #19

December 14, 2020 by Rich Barnard in Acoustic, Alt-Folk, Americana, Country, Folk, Indie, New Single, News, Pop, Roots, singer-songwriter, Video

As it’s the season for giving, we’ve put together a special bumper edition of The Maple Leaf Roundup, bringing you not five but ten - yes, ten! - new tracks from our copaines Canadiens. Think of it as an early Christmas gift - a mellifluous mixtape of must-hears you might not have otherwise met.

Amigo The Devil returns with 'Another Man's Grave' single from upcoming album

December 08, 2020 by David Vousden in Americana, New Single, News, singer-songwriter, Rock, Roots

When the force of nature that is Amigo The Devil toured the UK in early 2020 in support of his fantastic 'Everything Is Fine' album, the world was a far different place. Looking back Amigo The Devil’s dark gothic tales were a perfect match for the upcoming pandemic, but at the time the RGM crew were merely staggered by his ability to mesmerize a crowd. We were witnessing something very, very special and ATD was most certainly the real deal. Nearly a year later and ATD is back with a terrific new single ‘Another Man’s Grave’ from his upcoming Beau Bedford (The Texas Gentlemen / Paul Cauthen) produced album ‘Born Against’ set for April 16th, 2021 release via Liars Club. More about the album including the single follows:

Music Venue Trust #saveourvenues campaign launched

April 27, 2020 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Blues, Classic Rock, Country, Folk, Indie, Jazz, News, Roots, Rock, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

Music Venue Trust has announced #saveourvenues, a new national campaign to save hundreds of grassroots music venues at imminent risk of being closed down – permanently. Registered charity the Music Venue Trust currently has 556 venues up and down the UK at risk of closure. Venues that play an essential role in promoting talent and often as a community hub for many other endeavours. Please read on to find out more about #saveourvenues and how you can get involved:

Dustbowl Revival curate Sway-At-Home virtual music festival April 17-19th 2020

April 16, 2020 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Bluegrass, Blues, Country, Festivals, Folk, News, Roots, singer-songwriter

Dustbowl Revival have been keeping busy curating their very own Sway-At-Home music festival. Eighteen acts over three days including Steve Poltz, Shook Twins, Luther Dickinson and Birds Of Chicago. The music commences at 10pm (UK Time) this Friday, April 17th. More about Dustbowl Revival, Sway-At-Home and the acts involved follows:

Maverick Festival July 3rd - July 5th 2020

January 08, 2020 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Country Rock, Festivals, Folk, News, Roots, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

The Maverick Festival will return over the weekend of July 3rd - July 5th 2020 which, as I’m sure you all already know, is 4th of July weekend. This seems to be particularly fitting as Paul Spencer and the Maverick team have been bringing the very best in Americana to the leafy surrounds of Easton Farm Park, Suffolk for many years. The first names for 2020 have been announced with a nice mix of returning favorites and new names including Grammy winning singer-songwriter Steve Forbert and Canadian force-of-nature Terra Lightfoot. More info about the Maverick Festival including ticket prices follows:

Maverick Festival tickets and CD bundles to be won

June 20, 2019 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Country Rock, Festivals, Folk, News, Roots, Competitions

Hello and welcome to the very first Red Guitar Music competition. For our first run at a giveaway, we wanted to start with a bang so we’ve got together with the good folk at Maverick Festival and some of the acts performing at the 2019 event to offer up a pair of weekend tickets plus two sets of CDs with a Maverick Festival 2019 connection. A prize guaranteed to leave even the relative Americana newbie able to hold their own over a pint in the pub. Please read on for full details of the prize and the various ways to enter the competition:

An RGM Song Premiere: The Iveys present 'King and Marie'.

May 29, 2019 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Roots

The Iveys from El Paso in Texas are gearing up for the release of ‘Colors of Honey’ on June 7th. The band initially featured Arlen Ivey and his sister Jessica Ivey Carr and has evolved over the years with the addition of sister Jenna Ivey, brother Galen Ivey and Jessica’s husband Sammy Carr. The quintet call on a range of influences but all agree on a love of The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Lumineers and First Aid Kit. For me, the real strength of The Iveys is in their songwriting and those sublime harmonies, the sort of harmonies that seem to come so naturally to family acts. We are very pleased to be able to premiere ‘King and Marie’ a track from their upcoming record. Please read on as Arlen Ivey explains the significance of the track and just how important it is to The Ivey family.

The Shires, Alabama 3 and The Magic Numbers among additions to Black Deer Festival 2019

May 09, 2019 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Country Rock, Festivals, News, Roots, Tour Dates

The latest list of additions to the 2019 Black Deer Festival include UK country duo The Shires returning to the UK for a Sunday night show at the festival. Other names added today (May 9th) include Alabama 3 performing an acoustic set, The Magic Numbers, Stephen Spender and The Breretons. They will join an already impressive list that includes The Mavericks, John Butler Trio, Band of Horses and Billy Bragg. The festival will also host a panel celebrating the history of AMA-UK with Stevie Freeman, Bob Harris OBE and Emily Barker among those set to participate. Much more about the festival, which takes place at Eridge Park, Kent on 21st-23rd June 2019, follows:

Black Deer Festival 21st - 23rd June 2019

April 09, 2019 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Blues, Country, Country Rock, Festivals, Folk, News, Roots, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

The Black Deer Festival will return to the leafy confines of Eridge Park in Kent on June 21st - 23rd 2019. The festival recently won Best New UK Festival at the AIF Independent Festival Awards 2018 and is looking to build on that momentum in 2019. The lineup looks strong with Band of Horses, John Butler Trio, The Staves, The Mavericks and legendary singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson already announced. Recent additions to the bill include Billy Bragg, Ethan Johns (solo), Yola, Treetop Flyers and Sam Morrow while a few of RGM’s personal favourites are also set to appear including The Sheepdogs, Ferris & Sylvester and Worry Dolls. Much more about the festival including ticket details follows:

Maverick Festival 5th - 7th July 2019

April 05, 2019 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Alt-Folk, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Country Rock, Festivals, News, Roots, Tour Dates

The Maverick Festival is celebrating its 12th anniversary by once again bringing the very best of the Americana scene to picturesque Easton Farm Park in Suffolk over the first weekend of July 2019. This year the festival will be throwing a little Cajun into the mix and shining a spotlight on the Bluegrass scene on Friday night. As usual, a wide variety of acts are set to appear including Ags Connolly, Chance McCoy, Amy Lott, Broken Bones Matilda, The Black Feathers, Dana Immanuel & The Stolen Band (terrific at the recent press launch for the festival) and many, many more. Loads more about the festival including ticket details follows:

Sights and Sounds of Tennessee continues at London's Waterloo until June 17th

June 06, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Country, News, Roots, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

After a successful launch on June 4th with Yola Carter and Gill Landry performing shows the Sights and Sounds of Tennessee exhibit will continue at London's Waterloo station until June 17th. Over the next ten days or so some great artists will be performing 2-4pm on weekdays with a Jack Daniel's Happy Hour from 4-6pm to follow. Bennett Wilson Poole and Worry Dolls are among the top acts playing sets. More about the exhibit, including the chance to win a holiday to Tennessee, who's performing and the idea behind the exhibit follows:

Ramblin' Roots Revue returns to High Wycombe April 6th-8th

January 29, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Festivals, Folk, News, Roots, Tour Dates, Alt-Country

After a successful first event last year, the Ramblin' Roots Revue will return to Bucks Student Union in High Wycombe for three days of Americana, folk, country and roots music in 2018. The event is produced in association with respected UK Americana label Clubhouse Records and they're put together an impressive range of acts including The Magic Numbers, The Rails, Danny and the Champions of the World, Jess Klein, Robert Vincent and Bennett Wilson Poole (whose upcoming album has gone down well in the RGM office). All the info you'll need about the festival follows:

Mary Gauthier, Seamus Fogarty & The Blasters latest names added to Kilkenny Roots 2018

December 05, 2017 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Blues, Country, Festivals, News, Roots

The Kilkenny Roots Festival is celebrating 21 years in 2018 and the latest additions to the line-up include Mary Gauthier, who has an excellent new album 'Rifles & Rosary Beads' due in January, Irish songwriter Seamus Fogarty and, from the USA, The Blasters. With RGM fave Whitney Rose already announced alongside a host of impressive names that include Deep Dark Woods, Michael Nau and Nikki Lane this looks like an excellent weekend of great music. More about the festival and the artists set to appear follows:

Maverick Festival 2017 full line-up announced

April 04, 2017 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Festivals, Folk, Roots, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

The Maverick Festival recently announced their full line-up for 2017 with a press launch in London. The event was held at the Gibson Brands Studio in central London, with craft beers and duck wraps a plenty, to get those attending in the mood for long summer days in the Suffolk countryside. The music for the evening was courtesy of Dean Owens, Brigitte DeMeyer and Will Kimbrough. Dean has been working with Will on his upcoming album and judging by the tunes performed on the night it’ll be another good one. All you need to know about the Maverick Festival and the full line-up follows: