Tag: AmericanaFest UK

Winners Revealed at UK Americana Awards in London

Posted on by Editor

The winners of the fourth annual UK Americana Awards in London were announced on Thursday (January 31), with artists such as Courtney Marie Andrews, Bennett Wilson Poole, Brandi Carlile, Mary Gauthier, Ben Glover, CJ Hillman, and Dean Owens.

Hosted by Bob Harris OBE, the sold-out ceremony welcomed performers like Jade Bird, Curse of Lono, Rhiannon Giddens, Chris Hillman, Seth Lakeman, Graham Nash and YOLA. These show-stopping numbers were backed by a house band led by Ethan Johns. Held at Hackney Empire, the live event concluded three days of AmericanaFest UK 2019.

UK Album of the Year
Shorebound by Ben Glover (produced by Neilson Hubbard and Ben Glover)

International Album of the Year
May Your Kindness Remain by Courtney Marie Andrews (produced by Mark Howard and Courtney Marie Andrews)

UK Song of the Year
“Southern Wind” by Dean Owens (written by Dean Owens and Will Kimbrough)

International Song of the Year
“The Joke” by Brandi Carlile (written by Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth and Tim Hanseroth)

UK Artist of the Year
Bennett Wilson Poole

International Artist of the Year
Mary Gauthier

UK Instrumentalist of the Year
CJ Hillman

Lifetime Achievement Award
Graham Nash

Trailblazer Award
Joe Boyd

Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award
Curse of Lono

Grass Roots Award
Immy Doman and Risa Tabatznik of The Green Note

Baylen’s Brit Pick: CoCo and the Butterfields

Posted on by Editor

Artist: CoCo and the Butterfields
Hometown: Canterbury, England
Latest Album: Monsters Unplugged

Editor’s Note: Look for CoCo and the Butterfields and BGS – UK at AmericanaFest UK, held Jan. 29-31 in London. 

Sounds Like: Bellowhead, Seth Lakeman, Florence and the Machine with added indie pop

Why You Should Listen: CoCo and the Butterfields are just joyful and January should be joyful. Ok, I know we are all trying to stick with our “new year new you” goals. New fitness regimes, meditation apps, veganuary, dry January, etc., but come on, surely we can all get on board with more joy!? Great, we are agreed! First thing to do then is listen to this rowdy good time group of multi-instrumentalists who combine folk, bluegrass, hip hop, indie pop, Celtic, and country. Hell, there’s even some beatboxing thrown in for good measure. I said they are rowdy and they can be, in the best possible way, but they also do soft and sad, again in the best possible way.

I first met the band when they rolled up for a session on my radio show in a multi-colored minivan they had painted themselves. They all piled out looking like a touring version of Hair, the musical, and I knew they were my kind of people. Incidentally they do all have amazing hair, but that’s beside the point. The main thing for us to note is their music is wholly and completely original, it’s a sound only they could make and I’m so glad they do. A true ensemble band, sharing vocals and switching instruments at will. They are crowd pleasers and joy makers. I’ve seen them in a packed out basement club and in an expansive field in the middle of the country and they are at home in both.

I think the reason they aren’t bigger in a “mainstream” type of way, is because they are so undefinable. A great thing in my book. So, let’s all treat ourselves, close that fitness app, and open up the playlist below and let’s start the year in the way we mean to continue, with more joyful music and fantastic hair.

As a radio and TV host, Baylen Leonard has presented country and Americana shows, specials, and commentary for BBC Radio 2, Chris Country Radio, BBC Radio London, BBC Radio 2 Country, BBC Radio 4, BBC Scotland, Monocle 24, and British Airways, as well as promoting artists through his work with the Americana Music Association UK, the Nashville Meets London Festival, and the Long Road (the UK’s newest outdoor country, Americana, and roots festival). Follow him on Twitter: @HeyBaylen

Photo Credit: Nicky Johnstone