New York City’s The Wiyos make a welcome return, & this time as a bigger 5 - piece band. They are truly unique in what they do, creating original yet vintage-sounding country blues, western swing, jug band, and hillbilly and ragtime ditties. They played The Barbican (it was televised for BBC4) with Seasick Steve a couple years ago, & also went on a US tour (by personal invitation) with Bob Dylan. “A modern band whose vintage reference points include Tin Pan Alley pop and Spike Jones jazz.” - No Depression

Right now, all over the states, Meschiya Lake is hotter than a Mink in Malta and, alongside her band, the reigning kingpins of the New Orleans French Quarter Jazz scene, they kick up a footstompin' storm, attracting dance enthusiasts from all over the world to shake and shimmy the night away to their hot 1930’s styled dance music. Meschiya (pronounced Ma-shee-ya) was named Best Female Performer of The Year in the 2011 Big Easy Music Awards, staged annually in New Orleans.You'll find they 'll transport you straight to the pulsating heart of The Crescent City. The band are being flown in for a headline slot at Glasgow's big Celtic Connections Festival and has just a few add-on dates. So Newcastle is very very lucky to have them here !
Two of America's top Lindy Hop dance stars accompany them on this tour.

The New Yorker said: "She rocks back on her heels, lifts her chest and opens her throat like an air-raid siren to croon in a thrilling, pre-microphone style that is easily audible above the band - no small feat. From the deep blues of Send Me to the 'Electric Chair, to the swinging On a Coconut Island, Meschiya Lake can make you feel by turns as though you were sitting around a campfire in a railroad yard or drinking in a Budapest night club, Circa 1938."

From the ashes of punk rock & the very beginnings of indie pop come the legendary couple Martin Stephenson ( The Daintees ) & Helen Mac Cookerybook ( John Peel fav’s - The Chefs, Helen & The Horns) to help us celebrate St Valentine’s night in a very special acoustic concert in the fabulous hall inside Shipley Art Gallery , Gateshead.
Geordie boy, Martin as many of you will already know, stands apart in a classof his own. With his eclectic material & wonderful musicianship & of course his great humor, he’s a highly thought of talent right across the UK. Unlike many music stars from the eighties, he still actually retains his credibility. AND its as a live performer that he really excel’s! His girlfriend Helen is a solo artist, songwriter and artist. Her most recent album was the lovely “Hamilton Square” which Martin produced /played on. Her 2006 cd ‘Suburban Pastoral’ was released on Rough Trade records.
“There is a great chemistry between the two & they lit up the stage with their super songs and incredible smile’s” Sound Of The Suburbs Mag.

Merging calypso, mento, roots reggae, acoustic performance and Trinidadian/Jamaican cultures, Kobo Town are a unique, stylistic, transnational group of musician’s. Its a long long time since we had this kinda stuff ( Remember Roaring Lion, Byron Lee, anybody !!) . SO please come out & support it !

Nashville Tennessee music night – with 3 outstanding musician’s.
Brigitte DeMeyer, the country songstress who’s new cd 'Rose of Jericho’ features Buddy Miller Sam Bush, & Brady Blade.

Will Kimbrough singer, songwriter, award-winning guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, & performer. He is known as the guitar player with Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell. Artists such as Jimmy Buffett, Todd Snider and Little Feat have also covered his songs.

Chris Donohue is the utterly talented bass player / producer who plays/has played with all the greats of the Americana music such as Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett & Gillian Welch.

Part of a short Pub Rock tour - The Central is the perfect place for Danny Wilson's new look "Champions" to re-create the rockin sound of Bruce S in a way that even "The Boss" would be touched. Add a bit Tom Petty to their mix & a lot of Americana roots rock & its gonna be one helluva night….so lets rockkkkkk

Southend’s fieriest alt country garage rockers, The Lucky Strikes gave The Summertyne Festival Outdoor Stage @ Sage an almighty rousing wallop in July & were arguably the find of the Fest, so make an eagerly awaited return here. Raucous, Rock 'n' Roll with a thumping Country Blues heart beat & If you like The Felice Bros, you’ll love these boys …

Country-rock songwriter/guitarist Neal Casal enjoyed an acclaimed music career before joining Ryan Adams band, The Cardinals as lead guitarist in the mid-2000s. His music, a hot mix of Americana and California-styled soulful country-rock won much critical praise. Now Neal’s back with a new album & r just a short UK tour.

Introducing the deep fried funk-dipped reggae sounds of The Caroloregians. Fronted by the New Orleans soul styling’s of Matt Hardison and backed by a boss reggae section, in one almighty sound clash of pounding rhythm & soul vs. finger-licking funkified reggae. Drawing inspiration from musical cousins The Meters & The Upsetters, The Caroloregians burst onto the scene four years ago with dramatic effect. They soon became the choice backing band for touring Jamaican legends Ken Boothe, Alton Ellis, and most recently Dave & Ansel Collins. It is, however, with their own electrifying show & songs where The Caroloregians truly excel.

Welcome back our old friend, Chris' Smither; with his unique brand of blues-infused folk tunes & his lonesome weathered singing. In fact he’s one of the finest fingerpicker’s of modern folk blues.

SOLD OUT

Back over to the UK again as demands quickly growing ( BBC Later- New Years Eve) , for one of the best authentic vintage music troupe’s around today Pokey La Farge. This quartet from St Louis, Missouri have made a massive impact on the European retro-roots music scene & in USA they have a new single, produced by Jack White for his own label. …here’s a few quotes
"Such is the authentic tone of his ragtime guitar, you'd swear Pokey LaFarge was from a whole other time” – Uncut magazine. "
A combo of quite spectacular talent. They were a revelation at the 2010 Newport Jazz Festival with their house-wrecking show" - R2 magazine
“Pokey is a throwback to the days of medicine shows - a dapper bantamweight in a pork pie hat who has acquired the voice of a man three times his age and four times his size” - Rob Adams, The Herald

The Dirt Daubers, Colonel JD Wilkes ( Legendary Shack Shakers ), his wife Jessica and Mark Robertson ( Legendary Shack Shakers ) mix acoustic rockabilly, blues, jazz and country into a thrilling Frankenstein hybrid. Just like The Avett Brothers, Mumford and Sons and other contemporary acts, they show that this genre and time-honored music is alive and well …& they play traditional instruments but play them in a way that is relevant and agreeable to all. “ We bring a modern edge to old fashioned styles & we find that our music appeals to all ages” said The Colonel.

Cancelled whole tour

From Buffalo NYC, A quick return for Willie Nile & his rocking band. Yes, the acclaimed singer songwriter, who’s Bruce Springsteen’s major influence /buddy, & who appeared many times with the E street band is back. They made such a impression last time, wev'e gone and put them in The Cluny main hall.

“ Watching Willie Nile and his band in a small sweaty club must be one of the very best ways a music fan can spend an evening “No Depression”

Mad Professor has collaborated with reggae artists such as Lee "Scratch" Perry, Sly and Robbie and Horace Andy, as well as artists outside the realm, such as Sade and Massive Attack. He brings his tremendous dub show to World Headquarters with his own mixing desk and guest vocalists.

Wev'e been trying for years & years to bring the acclaimed guitarist, songwriter, producer Dave Alvin from California to Newcastle. This is a very special event for JHot Club , with his full band too. Dave Alvin is one of the seminal figures in Americana music, a poet and global ambassador for the folk-blues-country amalgam known as roots rock. His early band The Blasters were one of the original retro music pioneers of late 70's /80's. What an honour it is to have him here.

It’s been awhile since we’ve seen this charming homespun Nashville based duo @ JHot Club . Like her older brother Steve Earle, songwriter Stacey Earle has the soul of a folkie. With her husband/duo partner, Mark Stuart, the acclaimed & renowned guitarist they offer simple country folk songs that incorporate elements of blues, roots and gospel.

Kevin Welch is a literate, charismatic singer-songwriter who made Nashville his home but not his sound. His songwriting is stellar and Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Roger Miller have recorded his songs. Kevin recorded two records for Warner Brothers and then started his own label, Dead Reckoning. The label showcased friends and colleagues and became a very successful venture, back in the days when Indie Americana companies were unheard of, producing 21 records. Welch has a wondrous voice and way of telling a story that brings the audience into his fold. He tours throughout Europe and the States but this is his first JHot Club appearance. He tours in support of his latest release, A Patch of Blue Sky, his first solo record in 10 years. Kevin refers to it as an “all Texas record”. Not only is it full of stellar Lone Star State musicians (Bukka Allen and Eliza Gilkyson, just to name a few), it was also released on Music Road Records, a label founded by Red Dirt musician Jimmy LaFave.

Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers are the roots rock rockabilly blues juggernaut direct from Nashville Tennessee, & make their long awaited return to The Cluny. They are also a hot-rodded foursome combining blues, rockabilly, country, and punky rock & roll into one manic assemblage. With a potent reputation for their raucous live show, in which the manic tempo of the music is matched by harmonica man Colonel J.D Wilkes' over the top stage performance. It’s just one of those cases of, you just have to go & see this show.

Back with yet another new album, one of the best live performers of Americana roots rock music anywhere, the San Francisco based Chuck Prophet & His Mission Express make a splendid return to The Cluny.
(okay, he played Sage with The Spainish Bombs, doing his excellent “London Calling” one off series- BUT this is the real CHUCK PROPHET)

“The jagged guitar lines, gritty baritone and stellar songwriting of Californian Chuck Prophet have made him a cult figure here in UK. There’s no-one quite like him. “Maverick “

The awesome JT & his buddies from Chicago return with a little bit country , a little bit of soul, a slight jazziness, a glug of Motown and that all wrapped up witha little tenderness. With the best white soul voice to come out of America in a generation JT and the Clouds will suit fans of The Band, ‘The Basement Tapes,’ Memphis Soul and Willie Nelson.

Boston-based Joy Kills Sorrow, name comes from the ’30s radio station where the Monroe Brothers performed (WJKS – Where Joy Kills Sorrow) – and that’s cool. They play guitar, banjo, mandolin and bass – and that’s cool, too. But the coolest thing of all is that they tell the truth. This is fresh stuff. Folk Americana is rife with posers, but JKS is the real thing – talented musicians and singers giving it all they’ve got. Lead singer Emma Beaton has an intimate style but with startling power. Matthew Arcara is a 2006 Winfield National Flatpicking Guitar Champion; Wesley Corbett is a Fleck-inflected banjoist with killer chops; and Jacob Jolliff on mandolin creates the appropriate rhythm groove and adds distinct, lyrical fills. Mostly, though, they know how to play together and that’s a rare thing. - Sing Out!

3 of the ice cream of Americana music scene on one bill....amazing !

Ireland has long been a fount of great female singers, but Heidi Talbot’s breakthrough solo release, 2008’s In Love + Light, swiftly assured her promotion to the premier league.Glowing reviews across three continents, a US Indie Acoustic Award and a Best Female Vocalist nomination in the Irish Music Awards mooted comparisons as diverse as Björk, Enya, Linda Ronstadt, Norah Jones and Kirsty MacColl, BUT Heidi really is her own self & with aclaimed multi instrumentalist John MaClusker & guitarist of the folk elite Ian Carr this is one very special concert in GOTH

“Heidi Talbot sings in a voice that’s both awestruck and tender” New York Times

“Talbot is exquisite. . .Björk combined with Enya” Village Voice

Direct from Midwest US, Here's some press quotes for Divina & Her Vagabonds

I cannot believe that Davina’s vocals will remain ‘un-heard’ for much longer, she has a unique talent that has Blues & Jazz crossover opportunities. - Blues Matters
They dare to be different.Davina zips to near impossible heights in a divine declaration of romance”
- Downbeat Magazine
“ A combination of blues, Jazz, Dixieland,and Ragtime. Davina and The Vagabonds were the delight of the festival. The public did not feel neglected at all, with a concert packed with humor and memorable solos.- Sighisoara Blues Festival,
“ Think of a meld of Bessie Smith, Etta James, Alberta Adams and Amy Winehouse, and you come close to understanding what Davina Sowers is all about...Davina is a real talent who deserves greater exposure - NPR
“
Not only one of the "Hardest -working Blues woman, but......two things remain consistent at all her shows: her throaty but cushiony voice, which has a sort of hard- mattress comfort to it that's part Bonnie Raitt, Etta James and a little Amy Winehouse, and her band's rollicking New Orleans flavor, driven home by dueling horns - Star Tribune

Peter Case is the American singer-songwriter, guitarist & author who has had a full wide-ranging career from new wave music ( The Plimsols) to Blues to Folk songster - the acoustic solo performer. Indeed a film documentry has just been released as Peter as its main narrative, on the well travelled singer - songwriter troubadour ;;; so finally after years spent playing all over the world, his star has began to shine....

Praise for Johnny Dowd:
“If Willie Nelson turned into Mr. Hyde, he’d be Johnny Dowd. Backwoods gothic tales of love,death, and a perverse God arrive with a twang and a junkyard clatter, reaching for laughs that grow uneasy. New York Times

“A moving man from Ithaca, New York, embarks on the scariest ride of the year in this homemade work of genius.” Billboard. “Wonderfully warped yet remarkably accessible.” MOJO.

“With his lean, mean, funky songs about drinking, religion and wheelchairs, Mr. Dowd comes across like Johnny Cash reinvented by Quentin Tarantino. Paste.

“There’s intense and there’s Johnny Dowd. He’s Nick Cave with a hangover. Hank’s lonesomewhistle spat through Waits’s grinder, with Beefheart on the side, coming on like a flu-ridden Texan undertaker singing broken folk laments for a dead dog he never cared much for anyway.” Time Out.