I have a weird obsession with 70s country folk. Sometimes it veers into false memories of golden bright days, being driven around Tula, Hidalgo, while the radio blasts America, Fairport Convention, and John Denver. Other times, dashes of Mazzy Star, Whiskeytown, and Uncle Tupelo come up. I can’t quite put my finger on the name of the band that Canyon Family reminds me the most of, … Continue reading 30 days, 30 bands – #23 Canyon Family
Tramlines 2012. It was a long experience as somehow I thought I could manage to get as many bands as I could if I did half-sets.
I probably shouldn’t plan gig attendances while surrounded by chemicals in the analytical lab.
In the spirit of inside jokes (I.e. the quest of the perfect name for a label), here’s my caffeine-fuelled review. Continue reading “Review: Tramlines 2012 (the whole weekend)”
The Payroll Union – Your Obedient Servant
Stream – ‘General James Wolfe’
Continue reading “Sad notes from middle America”
The Payroll Union are a Sheffield band that has been doing the rounds for a while, but it wasn’t until this year when it all started to fall into place. Between an EP launch in a cozy little pub, a stint on the Busker bus during Tramlines and a couple of Hoedowns (one which ended in a massive hay fight), the band is getting loads of good word of mouth.
A meeting with the band was arranged at 2Fly studios. When I get to the studio, the band are still recording. The song is ‘1826’ and although the basic layout is pretty much finished, they want to add an extra layer of detail to the song. Melodica, a spot of keyboard and even the sound of breaking wood (courtesy of a 2×4 being destroyed in the studio) are added.
The Payroll Union are Ben (drums, vocals), Paul (bass) and Pete (guitar, main vocals) and they have been recording for the entire weekend. They look slightly tired but happy about how the song is panning out, so we take a stroll around and settle down at a Mexican restaurant to talk about Americana, history and why your influences might not determine how you sound.
Continue reading “Interview – The Payroll Union”
Tramlines 2011.
Every year, the city of Sheffield goes into full party mode and hosts the Tramlines festival, a veritable smogarsbord of musical talents, packed venues and heat stroke incidents (some of them rather unfortunate).
Continue reading “Tramlines 2011”
Pete David & The Payroll Union
Stream – ‘There’s a light’
Continue reading “Of Bourbon, betrayals and double barrel gunslingers”
Local peddlers of fine country and Americana Pete David & The Payroll Union (one heckuva name for a band) have just (okay, a fortnight ago) released their six song EP, Underfed and Underpaid (another heckuva name!) with an impressive 2 set gig.
Continue reading “White Lion’s Rustlers”
Stream – ‘There’s a light’
Continue reading “Invitation – Pete David & The Payroll Union EP launch”
Pete David & The Payroll Union’s Hoedown @Broomhall Community Centre.
with support from The Biddy Fiddlers, Low Duo and Dan Haywood’s New Hawks.
It was a cold, damp Saturday. The snow that flurried in the morning was now a wet mess in the streets and the cold British winter was on its last throes.
Continue reading “Haymageddon!”
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