AltWeeklies Wire
Chuck's Wagon Makes Australia Safe for Alt-Countrynew

Chuck Stokes learned to love American country-rock the old fashioned way, through a Wyoming construction worker who earned extra money skinning and gutting animals.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Bill Forman |
09-10-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Avett Brothers Step Forward With 'I and Love and You'new
Despite seven years on the road, slowing down may be a difficult proposal for the Avett Brothers. And the buzz around their upcoming album, I and Love and You -- slated to hit shelves Tuesday, Sept. 29 -- isn't going to make that any easier.
Boise Weekly |
Amy Atkins |
08-26-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Son Volt's Brand-New Album Gets Back to the Basicsnew
With American Central Dust, Jay Farrar returns to familiar musical territory -- pedal-steel moans and shimmers, fiddle flights and trills, percussion passing time or skipping a beat, all surrounding Farrar's guitar in his signature melange of folk, country, blues and ballad pop.
Tucson Weekly |
Linda Ray |
07-08-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson Give Us Some Authentic Roots Musicnew
There's very little that's "alternative" or precious about Rattlin' Bones, a thick slab of traditional American music.
Tucson Weekly |
Jarret Keene |
12-11-2008 |
Reviews
Blue Mountain Reunites, Toursnew
Alt-country pioneers Blue Mountain have been through it all in the nearly two decades since they formed in Oxford, Miss.
Jackson Free Press |
Michael Patronik |
12-04-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Laura Cantrell is Not the Least Bit Rock and Rollnew
Cantrell's path to a career in country was hardly straight, though her stint as a tour guide at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville was probably useful.
New Haven Advocate |
Jim Motavalli |
08-19-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Kansas Rebels Split Lip Rayfield Return to the Roadnew
In February 2007, they said farewell to longtime bandmate Kirk Rundstrom, who, after a yearlong battle, died of esophageal cancer. For the remaining members of Split Lip Rayfield, what followed was an uncharacteristic silence.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Bill Forman |
08-19-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Dove Hunter Finally Drops Anticipated Debutnew
Dove Hunter hasn't just been playing small, one-off gigs in various spots around the region or to sparse audiences; the band's been wowing crowded rooms at Dallas', Fort Worth's and Denton's favorite clubs with its intricate roots- and alt-country-influenced brand of rock since forming two years ago.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
06-23-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Alejando Escovedo: The Forrest Gump of Musicnew
Whenever seminal events happened, he was usually in the vicinity.
San Antonio Current |
Gilbert Garcia |
06-18-2008 |
Reviews
James McMurtry Returns to the Wastelandnew
The singer-songwriter sketches the lives of people trying -- and often failing -- to make it in Memphis.
The Memphis Flyer |
Chris Herrington |
06-13-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Haley Bonar Lets the Sun Shine innew
After a long, cold winter, Midwesterners are reveling in the chance to finally frolic in the lilac-scented breeze of a warm summer day, and Bonar is joining in the celebration by unleashing the fourth and most vivid album of her career.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Andrea Myers |
06-11-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Old 97's Frontman Rhett Miller Reflects on the Past and Presentnew
He's quick to call Blame It On Gravity the best Old 97's record yet -- although he does stammer when pressed on whether it really is his favorite.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
05-19-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Recession of 'No Depression'
After 13 years in print, the magazine that helped to define alt-country has decided to stop the presses for good.
Birmingham Weekly |
Courtney Haden |
05-15-2008 |
Music
The Country-Country of Lady Antebellumnew
The trio (two coiffed dudes and one done-up blondie in heels), offers just what you’d expect from their self-titled, debut album—soaring, Nashville-style power ballads engineered with a cunning pop/rock patina, all the better for wooing markets of all geographies. And woo they do.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Caralyn Green |
05-12-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Lucero's Redneck Emo: Why Not?new
What Lucero espouses is mostly this: overtly sensible, poppy rock 'n' roll with an introspective vibe.
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Andy Mulkerin |
04-14-2008 |
Reviews