Meet the 22 Aussies heading to Nashville for AmericanaFest 2018

The 19th annual AMERICANAFEST will take over many of Nashville’s iconic music venues later this month. Running from the 11th – 16th September the festival is a great opportunity for artists – emerging and established – to showcase their work, form international ties and win sponsors.

Australia’s national music export initiative, Sounds Australia, will be returning to the festival again this year for another of their popular celebration of Australian Americana, country and folk music. This year they’re bringing twenty-two Aussies with them, and we’re here to bring you the lowdown on them all.

Andrew Swift, an Alt Country singer-songwriter from Melbourne, is bringing his new album Call Out for the Cavalry to Nashville. He will be performing at the Bluebird Cafe on Tuesday 11th September at 6-7pm. Fanny Lumsden grew up in the fresh country breeze of Southern NSW and that is exactly what her music sounds like. You can give it a listen on her album Small Town Big Shot, or catch her at the Bluebird Café (11/09, 6-7pm), the Filming Station (14/09, 12pm) or at the 5 Spot (15/09 at 4:40pm). Unlike some of their compatriots, Jordie Lane & Clare Reynolds won’t need to travel too far, with the pair having recently relocated to Nashville. Lane’s new record GLASSELLLAND gets a worldwide release on September 7th. He too will be performing at the Bluebird Café showcase on the September 11th. Josh Rennie-Hynes is a folk musician with a gift for song writing and story telling. His album Furthermore was a great success and he is currently in Nashville working on album number three. Watch Josh sing at The Bluebird Café (13/09 6-7pm), The Local (13/09 10pm), The Filming Station (14/09 12pm) and at The 5 Spot (15/09 4pm)

Los Angeles based, Australian singer-songwriter Lo Carmen will be performing songs from her sixth album Lovers Dreamers Fighters in Nashville this year. You can watch her perform her slow country soul at The Bluebird Café on Tuesday 11th at 7pm. Inspired by The Beatles, Tenderfoot recorded their debut album To Be Young at Abbey Road Studios. They will be singing out their hearts to the poetic lyrics at The Bluebird Café on the 11th from 7pm. The Heggarties an Alt-Country band from Adelaide Hills have been performing since 2009. Their self-titled album was released last year, and was nominated for several Music Awards. Returning to the festival the band will be at The Bluebird Café on the 11th from 7pm. Tom West and his guitar will also be joining us at Nashville, armed with plenty of his beloved moody folk tunes. Come hear Tom West perform songs from his most recent album Vanishing Shores at The Bluebird Café on Sept 11th from 7pm.

Catherine Britt is perhaps one of Australia’s most recognised homegrown country musicians, and her new album Catherine Britt and the Cold Cold Hearts, released back in July, reminds us once again just why she is a multi-award winning artist. She will be performing at The Bluebird Café (11/09 from 9pm), The Filming Station (14/09 12pm), The Local (14/09 6pm) and at The 5 Spot (15/09 3:20pm). Fremantle’s Helen Townsend sings straight to your heart with stories of the ancient land of Australia. She is currently at work on her debut album, but for now you can check out her single “Promised Land”. She will be on stage at The Bluebird Café (11/09 at 9pm). Melody Moko bends the borders of the country genre to a new dimension on her record The Wreckage. See Melody Moko at The Bluebird Café (11/09 from 9pm). Cooma, NSW country duo Montgomery Church are taking their honest acoustic sounds to Nashville. Their single “Hot As Hell In Heaven” is currently at number seven of the Australian Country Radio Charts and the duo released their debut album In The Shadow of the Mountain earlier this year. Montgomery Church will be on stage at The Bluebird Café (11/09 from 9pm)

The Melbourne based band James Ellis and the Jealous Guys sing country music like they were born and raised in Texas. Their recently released debut album is called It Ain’t Texas (But It Ain’t Bad). The band will be performing at The Bluebird Cafe (11/09 10pm). Jemma Nicole is known for her hauntingly beautiful country noir style. She’s currently at work on her second album Kill Your Ghost. Nicole will be playing at The Bluebird café (11/09 from 10pm). Taylor Pfeiffer doesn’t just sing and play the guitar, but also yodels and plays the banjo. The multi talented performer recently released her second single “Make Today Count” from her second EP Take Her. She will be performing at The Bluebird Café (11/09 from 10pm). The Winnie Blues make magic on stage with only two voices and a guitar. Their debut single,
“Settle Down”, released last month, is packed with bluesy country vibes. Watch them play at The Bluebird Café (11/09 from 10pm) and at The 5 Spot (15/09 12pm).

Ruby Roots has infused her Americana sensibilities with a healthy dose of indie rock. The Nashville based, West Australian singer-songwriter delivers her songs with a fighting spirit, which is on full display on her latest album Don’t Talk About It. You can catch her live in concert at The Filming Station (14/09 12pm), The 5 Spot (15/09 2:40pm) or at The Basement East (15/09 7:30pm). A master of the acoustic guitar, Tommy Emmanuelreleased his latest album Accomplice One back in January, and see’s the multi-instrumentalist collaborating with a diverse range of musicians on a mixture of classics and new tunes. Maybe one or two might even appear with Emmanuel when he performs at The Filming Station (14/09 12pm), at The Cannery Ballroom (14/09 9:30pm) or at The 5 Spot (15/09 5:20pm). NSW Singer-songwriter William Crighton has toured with Dan Sultan and C.W. Stoneking, and showcased his music from Adelaide to Kansas. He released his second album, Empire, back in May. Crighton will perform at The Basement (13/09 11pm) and at The Filming Station (14/09 12pm). WILSN impresses with her exquisite vocals and her soulful tracks. She launched her single “Don’t Give It Up” with sold out shows in her hometown of Melbourne. Meet her in Nashville at The 5 Spot on Saturday 15th September.

The Weeping Willows are a couple of old souls making traditional country music with a gothic Americana feel. Rolling Stone gave their second album Before Darkness Comes A-Callin’ a four star review. They will be playing at The 5 Spot on Saturday 15th at 2pm. Finally, an artist that should need no introduction – Brian Cadd. Cadd is one from the old school, and has been active in the music industry since the 60s. One of the most respected Australian songwriters, Cadd remains loyal to the rock and roll music. You can find Cadd rocking The 5 Spot on Saturday 15th September at 6pm.

 

AMERICANAFEST runs from September 11th – 16th. For more information and to see the full line-up visit HERE

Sounds Australia will be running three showcases at the festival:

Sounds Australia at the Bluebird Café / Sept 11th 6 – 11pm / Tickets HERE

A Taste of Australia at The Filming Station / Sept 14th 12 – 2pm / Entry for badge holders only

The Aussie BBQ at The 5 Spot / Sept 15th 12 – 7pm / Free Entry

Get a taste of all the Aussies playing thanks to this Sounds Australia compiled playlist

 

Header Image: Ruby Boots by Cal Quinn