New Americana/Alt. Country ??

[tjh]

I was contacted by a couple guys looking for a bass player for a New Americana/Alt. Country group they are forming ... I am an old coot and out of the loop, so can somebody steer me to some clear cut examples of the kind of things they are looking to do, and typical bass lines expected for this genre ?? .. I have asked them for some of the acts and tunes they planned to cover, to get an idea, but I am still waiting to hear back from them ... I am just trying to do as much background type work as I can to be prepared for when they get back to me ... (I am searching, and doing the Youtube thing, etc, just curious as to some of your ideas from this bass community) ... thanks

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by tjh

I was contacted by a couple guys looking for a bass player for a New Americana/Alt. Country group they are forming ... I am an old coot and out of the loop, so can somebody steer me to some clear cut examples of the kind of things they are looking to do, and typical bass lines expected for this genre ?? .. I have asked them for some of the acts and tunes they planned to cover, to get an idea, but I am still waiting to hear back from them ... I am just trying to do as much background type work as I can to be prepared for when they get back to me ... (I am searching, and doing the Youtube thing, etc, just curious as to some of your ideas from this bass community) ... thanks

I play this style of music and in an Americana alt- country band. The playing style is countyish, roots /fifths but also allot of rock type playing also. I'm a root note in the box type player and staying in the pocket is key. I do some fills and runs also but mostly keep it simple since we have other instruments playing over top of the bottom end.

Some bands to check out

Jason Isbell and the 400 unit
Drive by truckers
Old 97's
Jayhawks
Avett brothers
Son Volt
Uncle Tupelo
Cross Canadian Ragweed

Solo artists:

Steve Earle
Hayes Carll
Justen Townes Earle

Check some of these out hope they are not confusing this with Nu-Country that's another thing.

[markob]

Rather wide open. To me, I'd say on the heavy side-Son Volt.
Trippy side-Wilco. Poppy side-The Jayhawks (from your neck of the woods). Others might include Whiskeytown/Ryan Adams, Old 97's, Lucinda Williams, Buddy Miller, Bodeans, Kathleen Edwards. These are some of my favorites. I'm sure there is a lot of new stuff out there too. Think "raw" country. Overdriven "twang". Austin over Nashville w/ a little Bakersfield thrown in. Main stream stuff could include Mellencamp and Springsteen. If you want a very diffenitve example of the Alt country/No Depression Music listen to Anodyne by Uncle Tupelo. Jeff Tweedy from Wilco and Jay Farrar from Son Volt were members. Hope this helps.

[Marial]

Well, looks like the bands/artists I would have suggested have already been mentioned.

If you want a very diffenitve example of the Alt country/No Depression Music listen to Anodyne by Uncle Tupelo.

Yep, that's pretty much the blueprint. I'd also second the suggestion of Whiskey Town.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by markob

Rather wide open. To me, I'd say on the heavy side-Son Volt.
Trippy side-Wilco. Poppy side-The Jayhawks (from your neck of the woods). Others might include Whiskeytown/Ryan Adams, Old 97's, Lucinda Williams, Buddy Miller, Bodeans, Kathleen Edwards. These are some of my favorites. I'm sure there is a lot of new stuff out there too. Think "raw" country. Overdriven "twang". Austin over Nashville w/ a little Bakersfield thrown in. Main stream stuff could include Mellencamp and Springsteen. If you want a very diffenitve example of the Alt country/No Depression Music listen to Anodyne by Uncle Tupelo. Jeff Tweedy from Wilco and Jay Farrar from Son Volt were members. Hope this helps.

Good points and examples. I agree its hard to pin down but thats a start and most of the acts I follow. Even Elvis Costello is in the movement now.

[tjh]

outstanding .. thanks guys, that helps ... and Ron, thanks for sending the link

[lowfreq33]

Americana covers a lot of ground. I do one or two gigs a month with a guy who falls into that scene, and he's very Bob Dylan-esque. I'd say it's broadly not-quite-folk, not-quite-classic-rock, not-quite-old-school-country.

With this particular guy I'm encouraged to pretty much play my ass off in a tasteful and melodic fashion. I use a deep tone and play a lot of counterpoint.

[wrench45us]

don't forget Dave Alvin -- a great american treasure
and he puts togther some great bands

and even John Doe is going back to roots music

[bassbully]

One of the cool things is the whole No Depression,Americana,folk,alt-country,roots movement is really getting hot and its really refreshing. I'm glad I am a part of it, some of the best music ever recorded.

[Marial]

Originally Posted by bassbully

One of the cool things is the whole No Depression,Americana,folk,alt-country,roots movement is really getting hot and its really refreshing. I'm glad I am a part of it, some of the best music ever recorded.

Agreed! I'm having a blast playing in that style and the alt-country band is the first band I've ever been in where people really dance to what we're doing. Most Seattle crowds just stand there and politely bob their heads. You can tell they're really into it if they stop talking.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by Marial

Agreed! I'm having a blast playing in that style and the alt-country band is the first band I've ever been in where people really dance to what we're doing. Most Seattle crowds just stand there and politely bob their heads. You can tell they're really into it if they stop talking.

Very cool we had a large group cuttin' a rug ourselves last weekend, great music and its not boring.

[markob]

Originally Posted by bassbully

One of the cool things is the whole No Depression,Americana,folk,alt-country,roots movement is really getting hot and its really refreshing. I'm glad I am a part of it, some of the best music ever recorded.

Whole-heartedly agree. A wide demographic can enjoy this music.

[StrangerDanger]

Drive By Truckers album Decoration Day is the best example of the genre I can think of. If youre an old coot, just think Neil Young & The International Harvesters and you'll be fine.

[Marial]

Originally Posted by StrangerDanger

Drive By Truckers album Decoration Day is the best example of the genre I can think of. If youre an old coot, just think Neil Young & The International Harvesters and you'll be fine.

I love The Truckers and they're an interesting band. To me they've almost created their own genre, I can't think of another band that sounds much like them.

[OtisRocks]

A good selection of Americana/Roots type music is played here: SomaFM: Boot Liquor: Americana Roots music for Cowhands, Cowpokes and Cowtippers Commercial-free, Listener-supported Radio

One of my favourite internet radio stations.

Cheers

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by Marial

I love The Truckers and they're an interesting band. To me they've almost created their own genre, I can't think of another band that sounds much like them.

Thank God! I saw them twice last year and met half the band..good people. Jason Isbell who was a past member and who is solo now still has their sound in his music. He was a big part of their early sound and is still missed by many who follow the band.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by markob

Whole-heartedly agree. A wide demographic can enjoy this music.

It really does and it makes booking an all original band allot easier. We can do venues ,corp events ,festivals etc and keep it family friendly. All ages love our music.

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by OtisRocks

A good selection of Americana/Roots type music is played here: SomaFM: Boot Liquor: Americana Roots music for Cowhands, Cowpokes and Cowtippers Commercial-free, Listener-supported Radio

One of my favourite internet radio stations.

Cheers

Thanks for the great recommendation!