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~alt-gramma~

There is a long-standing bond between rock and country music. Here are some new bands that are exploring that tradition, some from quite unexpected places.

Mountain Firework Co.


The Mountain Firework Company of Brighton, U.K. remind us Americans that much of the music we think of as OUR country music has its foundations in traditional Irish and Scottish tunes. Gareth McGahan (lead singer/guitarist), Jim Harmer (mandolin), Grant Allardyce (Drums), Simon C. Russell (double bass), Matt Oldfield (banjo), and sometime-guest Mike Simmonds (violin) blur that line with some lovely and lively melodies. I can't wait till my copy arrives in my mailbox.

Stream their catalog and buy their CD on one of the most adorable band websites I have seen yet. Be sure to listen to "Me Me Me" on their MySpace site, and read their blog entries for hilarious letters from Chinese fireworks companies offering to do business with them.

From A Rough Guide To Feeling Rough:
The Mountain Firework Co: You're On Your Own
The Mountain Firework Co: Down In Love

MySpace | Buy at their Website | Label: unsigned

Upcoming shows:
Jul 8 2007 - Paddle Round the Pier-Brunswick Square, Brighton, U.K.
Jul 15 2007 - Joogleberry Playhouse, Brighton, U.K.
Aug 3 2007 - Lewes Guitar Festival, Lewes, U.K.
Aug 5 2007 - Lewes Guitar Festival lunchtime gig, Lewes
Sep 29 2007 - The Black Box, Belfast, Ireland
Sep 30 2007 - The John Hewitt Bar, Belfast Open House Festival, Belfast

Cheyenne

You might think that Brooklyn-based Cheyenne is a long shot to be a country band, but their roots are authentic, since they are formerly from Norman, Oklahoma. Founding member and singer/songwriter Beau Jennings is joined by Heath Fisher on drums, Ben King on bass, Josh Harper on guitar, Rob Stephenson on pedal steel, and songwriter/Starlight Mints pianist Ryan Lindsey. Their EP The Land Rush was released earlier this month.

This is some great road trip music, and if Mr. Folkie and I ever take a vacation this year, you can bet that Cheyenne will be coming with us. I love this line from "Horsepower:"
"You're American by birth but you're Southern by the grace of God."

Look also for their debut release, I Am Haunted, I Am Alive (2005), available on eMusic.

From The Land Rush EP (2007)
Cheyenne: I'll Be Gone
Cheyenne: Horsepower

MySpace | Website | Label: Clerestory AV
Buy: iTunes, and eMusic
Upcoming shows:
Jul 1 2007 - Rockwood Music Hall - FREE, early at 7pm, New York City, NY
Jul 20 2007 - Cake Shop, New York, NY
Jul 28 2007 - Parkside Lounge, New York, NY
Aug 10 2007 - Mo Pitkin's, New York, NY

The Basement

Northern Ireland doesn't seem a likely place to find American country music either, but The Basement offer "a unique blend of indie-rock, blues, country and Irish barroom folk songs" on Illicit Hugs and Playground Thugs released in 2006 in the U.K. but only available in the States since last month.

Out of the country mode, but included because I like it: "It's a Kinda Love." What kinda love? "It's like a wishin' well that don't give back." Oh yeah. That kind. Been there!

For more country flavor, try also "When Tomorrow Comes" and "Summertimes."

From Illicit Hugs and Playground Thugs:
The Basement: Do You Think You're Movin' On?
The Basement: It's a Kinda Love

Stream their album.

MySpace | Website | Label: Zealous Records
Buy: iTunes, and eMusic
Upcoming shows:
Jul 19 2007 - Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh
Jul 20 2007 - EWO Club @ Barfly, Glasgow

The Loose Salute

U.K. band the Loose Salute was formed in 2004 by Ian McCutcheon (drummer of Mojave 3) and Lisa Billson. After releasing an EP, Suck It Up Buttercup, the band floundered for a while but continued writing and recording tracks on their own until signed by Graveface Records in Chicago. The received help in the studio from hot-shot engineer Gareth Parton (The Beta Band, The Go Team, The Pipettes, Mojave3) to release their debut album Tuned to Love earlier this month.

The sound here reflects summer-time fun, and the pedal steel, banjo, and guitars give it a real country feel.

From Tuned to Love (2007):
The Loose Salute: Turn the Radio Up

Stream the album. Check out the ballads "Why'd We Fight" and "Dumb Angel."

MySpace | Website | Label: Graveface Records
Buy at Amazon.com, iTunes, and eMusic
Upcoming shows:
Jul 5 2007 - Borderline, Club Fandango, London, U.K.
Jul 18 2007 - Heavenly Social, London
Aug 4 2007 - Big Potato Festival, Henley