Nominees for UK and International Americana Awards Announced
Americana music isn’t just for Americans. And even though this may confuse an already much-argued etymology for one of America’s (and the world’s) most fastest-growing genres, significant efforts continue to be undertaken to make the Americana movement transatlantic and international. This was on display in September when British songwriter Billy Bragg was presented with the Spirit of Americana award at the 2016 Americana Music Awards and Honors at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Later when Billy Bragg performed a Woody Guthrie song, it was easy to hear why both the music and the message of Americana need not be hemmed in by borders.
Last week the nominations for the 2017 UK Americana Awards were announced at Gibson Studios in London. Though the awards are mostly meant to shine the spotlight on talent from the United Kingdom, they also act as the international arm of the Americana Awards, with specific categories for international recipients. Like all awards and nominations, their value can be up for interpretation, but it gives listeners some good insight into what is rising to the top in Americana from a more international perspective, and might clue the curious onto something new.
Just like in the United States, the UK Americana Awards are part of a wider AmericanaFest that will span two days and feature some 20 bands along with conference presentations. The awards will occur Thursday, February 2nd at St. John at Hackney in London, and be hosted by well-known British Americana voice Bob Harris.
Nominees for the 2017 UK Americana Awards
UK Album of the Year
Ghost by Lewis & Leigh (produced by Matt Ingram)
Mockingbird Lane by Danni Nicholls (produced by Chris Donohue)
Nos Da Comrade by Peter Bruntnell (produced by Peter Bruntnell)
Palomino by Treetop Flyers (produced by Treetop Flyers)
International Album of the Year
A Sailor’s Guide To Earth by Sturgill Simpson (produced by Sturgill Simpson)
American Band by Drive-By Truckers (produced by David Barbe)
Angeleno by Sam Outlaw (produced by Joachim Cooder and Ry Cooder)
Midwest Farmer’s Daughter by Margo Price (produced by Alex Munoz and Matt Ross-Spang)
UK Song of the Year
‘Mr Sunshine’ by Peter Bruntnell (written by Peter Bruntnell and Bill Ritchie)
‘Silver Liner’ by Ethan Johns & the Black-Eyed Dogs (written by Ethan Johns)
‘Tend To The Thorns’ by William the Conqueror (written by Ruarri Joseph)
‘The 4:19’ by Lewis & Leigh (written by Al Lewis and Alva Leigh)
International Song of the Year
‘Dust’ by Lucinda Williams (written by Lucinda Williams)
‘Hands of Time’ by Margo Price (written by Margo Price)
‘Somebody Save Me’ by Cale Tyson (written by Cale Tyson)
‘Welcome To Earth (Pollywog)’ by Sturgill Simpson (written by Sturgill Simpson)
UK Artist of the Year
Bear’s Den
Billy Bragg
Lewis & Leigh
Yola Carter
International Artist of the Year
Margo Price
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Richmond Fontaine
Sturgill Simpson
UK Instrumentalist of the Year
CJ Hillman
Dave Little
Henry Senior
Kirk Bowman
Lifetime Achievement Award
Richard Thompson
November 22, 2016 @ 9:03 am
I kinda feel (a an Americna) that Sturgill Simpson has an dvantage overseas because his music is les “American” sounding. Mrgo Price is sounds a lot like authentic country music which is more american because of its ackground and design. ut Styurgill doesn’t sound just like any one kind of music, especially not one that is decidedly american in origin. he’s got a few more different sounds ans styles that might make him a more popular internatiol arrtist. im really hoping treetop Flyers win album but it seems bit unfair that three of the international artists are all americans but i havent heard of soime of the bands before so going to look into there music.Also Mary chapin caprenter is not an americana artist she’s a country artist and not even a really good one and i didn’t even know anybody still listened to her.
November 22, 2016 @ 10:16 am
Mary Chapin Carpenter is more Americana than country, has been for years. Her latest album is produced by Dave Cobb. Yeah, people still listen to her, some even enjoy her music.
November 22, 2016 @ 5:34 pm
Mary Chapin Carpenter has always been popular here in Europe, and apparently her newest album has been well received. To me, The Things That We Are Made Of sounded fresh while still being a typical MCC effort, and I mean that in the nicest possible way.
November 22, 2016 @ 9:11 am
“international Americana”
I’m sick to death of politics.
November 22, 2016 @ 10:22 am
Still don’t get Margo. I can’t get passed her voice. Just not a fan.
November 22, 2016 @ 10:46 am
I encourage folks to see Margo Price live before coming to any hard and fast conclusions about her music. I had some pretty public criticisms about her album and specifically how her voice was used in places, though settling on a more positive than negative take. The production of that album just didn’t do its job of putting Margo’s best foot forward. But overall I think her music is quite strong. Hopefully her next album does a better job representing that.
November 22, 2016 @ 8:02 pm
I was a latecomer (and early critic) of Margo Price. I really hated the first song I ever heard by her. her later work still has a few duds but I’ve really someone I would ever see live so I would refer you to Trigger’s judgement on her as a performer.
But she’s probably the best female performer right now (in Country Music.)
November 22, 2016 @ 10:42 am
Really pleased to see Sam Outlaw’s ” Angeleno” up for international album of the year…. One of my favorites last year . Retro-fresh in terms of songwriting , arrangements /instrumentation and a nice clean production all ’round. Mainstream-friendly with plenty o’ integrity .
November 22, 2016 @ 10:55 am
Great to see some recognition for Richmond Fontaine after all these years. They certainly ended their run with a bang (one of their best records; opening for Willie Nelson; sold out tour of Europe). Sure am going to miss that band.
November 22, 2016 @ 6:00 pm
This might be my favorite album by Richmond Fontaine. They will ne missed, though The Delines are excellent (“Colfax” was my #1 album of 2014).
November 22, 2016 @ 6:21 pm
Agreed on The Delines and “Colfax.” Going to see Willy Vlautin open for Patterson Hood next week. How is that for a show!!
November 22, 2016 @ 6:39 pm
Wow! Hood called The Delines his favorite new band a couple years ago. Amy Boone got hit by a car a while back. She is okay but it slowed the band down. Folks here might be intrigued by this KEXP performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzQ_6mSzWnk&t=1301s
November 22, 2016 @ 6:43 pm
Just checked Willy’s schedule. He and Patterson are reading together five days after the music date.
November 22, 2016 @ 11:21 am
Sturgill has spent quite a bit of time overseas and has a pretty good following over there.
ASGTE is a piece of art.
Personally, I feel he is a step above the others.
I am betting he wins album and artist.
Margo Price album is really good. It is one of my favorites of the year. I’ve listened to it quite a bit.. She just doesn’t knock it out of the park with the vocals. I don’t want it to be a knock against her, the songs are so good, but I had a thought one time that if it was Janis Joplin singing these songs, this album would be a blockbuster.
November 22, 2016 @ 11:28 am
I’d rather see Nikki Lane than Margo Price, fashion interests notwithstanding.
November 22, 2016 @ 4:13 pm
I believe that of the Americans artist that are on the UK Americana chart it’s probably Elle King who’s sold most record. Followed by Kacey Musgraves as second and Margo Price on third place….
November 22, 2016 @ 4:39 pm
Sorry forgot about The Lumineers….They are most likely the best seller in 2016…:-)
November 22, 2016 @ 6:11 pm
Peter Bruntnell’ “Nos Da Comrade” is one of the few 2016 albums that I truly love. Albums with as many engaging melodies as this one are rare nowadays. “Mr. Sunshine” is a brilliant song and also timely. It’s about a political figure who evicted a colony of Scottish fishermen in order to build a private golf course. Seek out the video on YouTube to find out the identity of the politician.
November 22, 2016 @ 9:15 pm
One of the reasons I love highlighting awards such as these is it gives you the opportunity to fill in the gaps in your music knowledge. I haven’t listened to “Nos Da Comrade” yet but since it is nominated it’s rocketing to the top of my list since it’s so highly thought of.
November 23, 2016 @ 10:03 am
Bruntnell came upon my radar with his excellent “Normal for Bridgwater” album in 2000. Among its many fine songs is one about Cryogenics titled “By the Time My Head Gets to Phoenix.” Now there’s a subject not often addressed by songwriters. For those unfamilair with Bruntnell, he tends to fall somewhere between Son Volt’s more melodic stuff and Teenage Fanclub. A highly appealing sound.
November 23, 2016 @ 5:29 pm
Saw Richmond Fontaine in Glasgow in April and Edinburgh in October absolutely fantastic gigs Willy and the boys will be much missed in Europe.Seem to have a bigger cult following over here than in the USA (Oregon exluded)judging by their farewell tour dates.
The Margo Price album is fantastic not seen her live hopefully she will come over again.
Sturgills album is my favourite of the year and I also saw him live twice this year.The first one was a one off when he played with a Scottish backing band as part of Celtic Connections fetival the second time a regular Sailors Guide show.Sturgill has been coming over regularly for a few years now and has built up descent following.
January 2, 2017 @ 6:18 pm
Yola Carter’s EP Orphan Offering just became one of my new favorites. Don’t know if its what you call country, but Dolly’s influence is surely real.