Tag Archives: roots

Interviews & Features

Evan Bartels: ‘Music is like wine; if you have it and you like it then it’s good!’

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We had the absolute pleasure of chatting to the wonderful Evan Bartels the other week at The Long Road! Join us as we chat his UK shows, latest EP and plans for an upcoming album!

Check out our review of his set here.

How was your first set of the day?

Fantastic! It truly exceeded expectations. I thought it would be pretty good, but you never know when you’re at a festival with a bunch of other acts playing and you’re on at 12:30. But there was a couple of hundred people there, that tent was full! I thought ‘crap, this is crazy!’

Is it ever still nervewracking to go up there as a solo artist, especially at a festival like this?

That’s a great question! I would say sometimes. I’m never nervous in the sense of am I gonna mess up the song, it’s always more like, I hope people are receptive to this. But that’s another thing that you learn over the years when you’re building a set; it’s a lot like busking, doing a festival set as a solo artist where people don’t necessarily know you. When I was a kid I came up busking on street corners quite a bit. You’ve got to hit ‘em with some songs they won’t immediately walk away from. Then I find it’s just meeting people; you try to get to know the audience and let them get to know you and hope for the best! No one threw any rotten tomatoes, so that’s good!

Do you play with a band back home?

I do! I’ve had a band in the past that I’ve played with. Then when Covid hit and a lot of the touring opportunities dried up and a lot of the budgets froze it’s not been super practical sometimes to hire a band. That’s when I started touring more solo and focusing a lot on telling stories with the songs, try to make it a show that way. My goal is to be able to come back to the UK next year and have a band with me. We’re working towards it!

It would be fun to have a band. I’ve done it in the past and done full band records. It’s a different energy, there’s different tools you can use for the show.

You’ve been out here a fair bit this year already, right?

This is my third trip. I was here in March and did C2C, then came in May and did some shows with Charles Wesley Godwin. Now I’m back for the Long Road and doing a show at St Pancras Old Church in London.

We came into Long Road from Cologne, Germany, played a little festival there call Sound of Nashville. That was great because I met Nolan Taylor there, and Cameron Whitcomb, and he was great, we were all hanging out and drinking beers like ‘this is alright!’. Now the travel to get from Germany to the UK, I did not think that would be as harrowing as it was.

Did you fly out?

Yeah but we had to take a train from Cologne to Frankfurt, then flew, then a train from Heathrow to Paddington, then to Euston, then to Rugby. Like okay, that’s a long day!

Are there any comparisons you can make for here compared to back home?

I will say the one thing that’s mainly different is the way you do travel. In the US if someplace is 12 hours away, you’ll drive. I don’t know which one is easier. Here you might be on a train for six hours but at least you can sleep!

But the festivals, it’s funny how much the land here looks like where I grew up. It feels like we could be in Kansas right now! It’s beautiful!

You’ve got a busy rest of the year planned, right?

That’s the plan, yeah. I’ll be going out on the road in the States a few more times. Trying to sneak in another trip over here too. Doing a tonne of songwriting and starting to record the next album, There’s always something! Then on top of that you’ve gotta be a dad and a husband, mow the lawn and do the laundry! It’s an adventure, man.

You’ve had quite a busy year already, it seems! I saw you got played on Theo Von’s podcast which was cool!

Yeah, he gave me a shoutout for the new EP! That’s about as cool as it gets, honestly!

I also saw you were on tour with Brothers Osborne. Was the stage spinning?!

Yeah! I’ve done three or four shows with them so far this year and two of them, the stage was spinning. You were in the middle of the crowd and it slowly spins. They warned me about it, like ‘hey, just so you know, it spins, but it’s really slow’. And then you’re playing and it kinda messes you up a little bit! You’re looking out at the audience and you look down for a second and all of a sudden you’re looking at new people.

You touched on the EP before, and I remember being sold by the presser. Did you write it in a cabin, if I remember correctly?

So I wrote the songs in the tour van over the years. When we recorded it I built a little cabin behind my house and did it in there. I just did it as a passion project. I hadn’t put out music for a while so about a year ago I’d recorded some demos and my buddy Dave heard it (everyone calls him Squirrel). He was like ‘I’d love to help record this’. I didn’t know he was an engineer, we’d never really talked about work. Turns out he’d been like Rick Ruben’s house engineer for like 10 years. So he got these insane microphones and brought them out to the cabin and we recorded it all in there. We did a few takes of each of them and then picked the one that felt right. We recorded at night, I would just open a bottle of wine and play the song. There’s no metronome, no audio tuning, each track is the whole performance.

Once we got that, I had a few others friends; Paul DeFiglia, he played the organ and bass and double bass on it. Another great cat, Russ Paul, he’s a very renowned Nashville peddle steal player, so he did that. It’s funny, we recorded it in my backyard cabin, we did the bass at Paul’s backyard studio, the peddle steal we did at a buddies studio that was a backyard garage, and then we mixed everything in Squirrel’s studio which is a converted shed in his backyard! But I love the way it turned out!

What made you pick an EP over an album?

I knew it was going to be an album or an EP. I had 10 or 11 songs that I was considering for the project, and when I’d done demos of everything and listened back I didn’t want there to be any filler or anything that didn’t feel like it needed to be here. It was just a case of finding the songs that told the story that I wanted to tell. When we got done with that, where we landed was an EP. I’d rather put out a great EP than an okay album!

And you said you’re working on a longer release next, right?

Yes, we start recording next month! I’m hoping to land on between 10 and 15 songs because I currently have about 40. Whittle it all down and find the ones I love, not just like. That’s the goal!

Do you have a dream tour lineup?

Oasis. I wish I was on that tour!

You know who I’d love to do shows with? Jason Isbel. I’d love to watch him play every night on an acoustic tour. Or guys that are playing over here like The White Buffalo. James Bay too, I could listen to that guy sing the phone book every night and be happy! Those are a handful of them but if I start listing them we could be here all day and all night! You know who’s he sick actually, and I’d love to write some songs for her someday, is Adele. If she’s ever one of these pop artists that decides to make a country album, I hope she calls me!

It’s interesting you say James Bay as he’s had almost a mixed reaction to playing The Long Road.

I saw some of that! Crazy to me, good is good. I get where some people can be ‘well, he’s not country’, but by what metric? Compared to a lot of the bar-type bands, I’m not country. I think the thing that always shines through when you’re putting country or Americana or roots together is ‘is this authentic?’. When it comes down to it; if you don’t like James Bay you’re wrong! He’s got a great voice and great songs and I think it fits in in any country and any genre. And like, is Shaboozey everybody’s country? Or Morgan Wallen? Or cCharley Crockett? There’s so many different subsets and genres and opinions that I think a lot of people get lost on that. Music is like wine; if you have it and you like it then it’s good! The music part of country music is way more important than country. Everybody’s got a different opinion on these things.

Interviews & Features

Kyle McKearney: ‘As I get older, I really notice the value of time and how it’s very important to be selective with how we spend it!’

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We had the pleasure of chatting to the amazing Kyle McKearney the other week about his new music and plans for 2025. Check it out below!

Firstly, how would you describe your sound? It’s certainly rooted in country but there’s rock, blues, Americana and all sorts I heard in there! 

Yeah, I think you are hearing most of what’s in there. I would chalk it up to calling it alt country, but who knows really. I have loved so many different kinds of music through the years that I guess pieces of each come through in what I do.

You’ve had a busy year releasing singles. Are you sticking to the single model, or are they building up to a third album? 

Yeah, we will be putting singles out until April. My third album To The River is set to drop on April 25. I’m really looking forward to it. We also just announced a tour, in support of the new album, through Western Canada.

Is there any particular theme through the singles this year, be it via the sound or writing? 

There is actually. It wasn’t intentional but after listening through the album several times, I see this thread of redemption. Also, as I get older, I really notice the value of time and how it’s very important to be selective with how we spend it. I think that comes across on the record as well. 

What’s the writing process like for you? Spoke to a lot of people in country who do big writers retreats, while others still write primarily solo!

I have a few different approaches. Some songs I will take to my cowriting friends to finish. Others I write on my own. It just depends on the song and how easily and quick it comes.

So we still very much associate country music with the South of the US, what’s it like being a country musician in Canada? 

It’s cool. Canada has its own form of country and its own country culture. Lots of farms, lots of fields, lots of beef and western culture here. I don’t try and emulate what the US is doing, but love so many of the American artists. I’ve spent time in Nashville and really enjoyed it.

Have you got much planned for next year? I imagine you have some shows lined up! 

Yeah, I plan to play a ton in 2025. There are lots of things on the books and lots in the works. Live is going to be my main focus after releasing the album.

Any plans/hopes to come over to the UK? 

There’s nothing in stone yet, but I will jump at the chance. I loved being there and cannot wait to come back.

Do you have a dream tour lineup you’d want to be a part of? Anyone you’d want to support or bring on the road with you?

I’d love to tour with Aerosmith lol. Chris Stapleton, Sierra Farrell or Jason Isbell.  Any of those would be incredible!

Features, Interviews & Features

Uncle Lucius: ‘When we started hanging out more it was like, we really should make an album!’

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We had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with the Roots legends Uncle Lucius at their show in Nottingham the other night. Check out as we chat about their tour, latest album and future plans!

How would you describe your sound?

I’ve always said American Roots, it’s kind of a big umbrella. And then now they’re trying to label that Americana, which is also a wide umbrella. But I understand people need to, especially with the commodification of music, put it in plain sight.

Yeah, there’s that many different sub-genres these days!

Exactly! And our influences are just from American roots. Country, blues and soul and all that!

And how’s the tour gone so far? Australia first, right, that looked cool!

Yeah, it was really cool! Around the World in 30 Days! And we’re almost finished, it’s been great!

It sounds a little stressful but fun!

You know you’ve got your ups and downs when you tour this much! The 15 hour drives aren’t the best. The travel from Australia to Europe was really bad. It was 30 hours travelling with that one.

Is this the first time in the UK for a while, then?

It’s the band’s first time in eight years. But it’s good, the crowds are actually showing up, which is very surprising!

Are there any differences between the crowds over here compared to back home?

I like it over here. A lot of people get it! And the same in Australia, as well. Talking to the people that come out to the shows, a lot of them are into the same people that we’re into. They’re asking us about Guy Clark and Kris Kristofferson… that’s who we love, it sounds like we’re a lot alike! It’s the same over here.

I’d say attention spans are… better, over here! I’m not gonna judge that but…

Yeah, a few of the people I’ve spoken to from the country scene (like Randall King!) have all said it’s a lot more standing and listening here!

Yeah, back home it might be like half the crowd on their phones or talking, the other half yelling and hollering!

And it’s been a couple of years since you reunited, right? How’s it been so far?

Yeah, we reunited in March of ‘23. Overwhelmingly positive, it’s been great!

Was it always a goal to write new music when you came back, or was it more coincidental, you sort of fell into it?

When we got back together for the first time it was religious to hang out, just to see each other! After the second time we got together and hung out we said, with the placement of one of our songs on a big TV show, and a spike in overall numbers for a lot of the songs, it was like well, it might be fun to play some gigs. We didn’t really think past that.

When we started hanging out more it was like, we really should make an album. Our original bass player had a bunch of songs he had written, and he showed Kevin, who was really down to sing them. And we were really down to play them. So the album is a mixture of his songs and Kevin’s songs, and Mike and Doug and… it was just a really good vibe! It was not something that we planned to do at all, it just felt like the right thing to do.

Is there any comparison you can draw between this new stuff and your older material?

I’d say it’s familiar to what we’ve always been, but also think it mirrors all of us evolving as musicians, and as people. Maturing with age and having done other projects when we were off for five years. We’re all just better, honestly!

Is there any more songwriting going on already?

Oh yeah, no doubt. I think we’re about to work on the next one. I have quite a few I’m gonna present, and there’s others that other guys in the band have written, that’ll all get put on the table and we’ll get a feel for it.

It’ll happen soon. We’re all pretty anxious to get back in the studio. Making the last one was a lot of fun, and super easy. You get older and you learn how to get your brain out of the way and just play. Cooperate a bit more!

And you’re pretty busy in the coming months too, right?

Yeah! When we get back we’re gonna do a Midwest run, from Kansas City up to Chicago and back. That’s in like two and a half weeks. We’ll have a little bit of rest in between. Then a bigger US tour in February. Staying busy!

Do you have a dream tour lineup you’d want to be a part of?

I’d love to open for the Stones, man. And there’s still time!

There’s just so many. And that’s one of the best parts of getting to do what we do, is playing shows on the same stage as some of our hero’s, and actually getting to hang out with them or sometimes play songs with them. It’s amazing. I hope it happens a lot more!

Reviews

Pathways: Julian Taylor Once Again Knocks it Out of the Park!

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The amazing Julian Taylor is back with another folky, rootsy, country, rocky solo album. He’s had a pretty consistent output since going solo, this marking his third studio album in three years. I hadn’t heard of him much until he was announced for The Long Road for this year, but after checking him out quickly fell in love with his music. So when this came across our emails, I knew I just HAD to review this in full! Let’s dive in!

‘Weighing Down’ is the perfect, chilled-out opening track. His low, soulful vocals work perfectly over the acoustic guitars, strings and soft drumming. It’s the perfect, relaxed song, and the lyrics through it are also phenomenal. There’s honestly not much to say about it; it’s a simple yet incredibly effective track that sets the tone up for the rest of the album perfectly.

The chilled vibes continue through ‘Love Letters’, a folk track that honestly feels almost like a romantic drinking song than anything else. Like an almost more stripped-back Pogues. The vocals are fantastic again over the acoustic guitar, and the harmonies around Julian’s voice are perfect. They make a catchy chorus even catchier. We even get a fun little guitar solo part in the bridge. This was an amazing song, and one that easily makes it onto our playlist!

‘Six Line Road’ is much more acoustic-blues track, having a great riff running through its core. And the lyrics are again incredible, showing off Julian’s talents as a storyteller. The harmonies are once again awesome through the choruses, it all being so simple yet so very effective. We even get a sexy, sexy sax in this, that I can’t get enough of and wish we got even more of. It added a dive-jazz bar vibe to it all which I loved. It’s another incredible song, and another that makes it onto our Spotify!

We’ve of course already checked out the single and title track of the album, and LOVE it. It’s a slower track in more of a Don McLean/Cat Stevens vein, but is a fantastic, emotion-filled track. The lyrics are incredible, as is the delivery of them, and the duet-style with Allison is truly beautiful. And honestly, this is the second or third time this chorus will be stuck in my head for the rest of the day. It’s the perfect song to sit and chill out with, yet still gave me goosebumps when listening to it closely. It’s the third track in a row for the playlist, Julian is on a roll!

The pace picks up with ‘Running Away’, having an almost indie-rock feel to the country sound. The closest thing I can associate it to is Red Clay Strays, who I also love! It’s a foot-stomping, rockier number that wouldn’t have felt out of place in the 60s, yet still feels modern at the same time. It’s also the longest track on the album, which was great as it gives the band chance to jam in the middle, having a rocky-blues bridge section and outro full of some great soloing. It was the perfect change of pace for the album, putting something a little quicker in the middle to break up the slower tracks. I didn’t expect it at all but I loved it. It almost had some Dire Straits to it at times! The talent of Julian and his band are off the charts, from both a writing and playing standpoint, and this track is a true testament to that! I’d definitely recommend the album version over the radio edit to get a true feel for the track!

In contrast, ‘See This Thing Through’ is the slowest track on the album, a slower blues/easy listening track packed full of more awesome vocals and harmonies. Honestly, the other two tracks have a similar relaxed, stripped-back feeling, rounding out the album perfectly. It’s just impossible to dislike Julian’s music. Usually I’d get a touch bored of a collection of mostly slower songs, but his vocals and lyrics are so incredible that I loved all three of these tracks. The perfect ending to the perfect chill-out album!

Overall: As I’m sure you can tell, I loved this. It’s short and sweet and there truly isn’t a bad track on here. I listened to it all the way through once before I even wrote anything, I just sat back and took it in and has a blast. It went by in a flash and is the perfect relaxed country album if you want to sit back and really listen. I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys the slower side of country, and I’ll be listening to it a lot in the coming weeks and months!

The Score: 8/10

Features, Interviews & Features

Julian Taylor: ‘Here is really more focused towards country rock stuff, whereas in North America the country stuff is really poppy!’

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We had the pleasure of chatting to the amazing Julian Taylor at The Long Road the other week. Check out the full interview below!

How was the set? Sounded good from out there!

Oh thanks man! I didn’t hear it myself!

And it’s the first of two, right?

Yeah, the first of two. We’re playing over there on the porch stage. I was just talking to Bailon and he was saying he designed that whole stage from something from his childhood. So I’m looking forward to that, yeah!

Will it just be you or the whole band?

I think we’ll do the whole thing. My stuff’s not overbearing, it’s pretty chill!

And this is show number two of the tour, right?

Yes, we were in Shoreham-by-Sea two nights ago. Then here, London tomorrow, The Water Rats, then moving forward we’re in Liverpool and Shrewsbury, and Barnswick, and Kirton in Lindsey.

And this is your second tour out here, right?

This is the third, actually! But second with the band. First one I came out solo and did the Americana fest UK and a whole bunch of stuff in England and Scotland. Haven’t been to Ireland yet!

And, being Canadian and being country-adjacent, what’s it like being in that scene when it’s still so closely associated with the South?

Country-adjacent is a good way to describe it. It’s adjacent to a lot of things; rock n’ roll, rhythm and blues, folk music. So I call it Roots music.

Yeah, I don’t know. Like it’s kinda the same, like it is here. People enjoy it. There’s elements of storytelling and elements of just giving it. The only difference really I can see with the folk music scene, like the Americana scene, is here is really more focused towards country rock stuff, whereas in North America the country stuff is really poppy, these days at least. And if you want to dance it’s more of like a jig or bluegrass thing.

And you put out a new single just the other day, right?

Yes! Myself and my friend, Alison, put out a song, the lead single and title track from my new record, Pathways. It’s coming out in September!

Any thoughts on it?

I like it! It’s a good record!

Are you planning on any more singles for it?

Nope, the record just comes out afterwards!

What’s the writing process like for you?

It’s always a bit different, man. Sometimes I start with the lyrics first, sometimes with the chords and melody first. They’re married to each other so it doesn’t really matter what comes first. I find that if you write the lyrics first the melody kinda compliments it and it moves in a different way, rather than the other way around. If you write the melody and then the lyrics, the lyrics have to accommodate the melody. So it’s interesting! They both work in different ways but they are very much the same thing.

It’s just you mainly writing, right?

Mainly it’s me but I write with other people. The ‘Pathways’ single was written with my friend Robert Priest and Roseanne, they helped me write that. well, they didn’t help me, we wrote it together. And I write songs with a buddy of mine, Tyler Alice.

Have you got quite a busy rest of the year planned?

Busy enough, yeah! Enough to keep me away! Going to California, Colorado, doing a Western tour, and Eastern tour. I like touring, it’s cool. It is tiring though, I’m not a young buck any more!

Do you have a dream tour lineup you’d like to be a part of?

Anybody and everybody really. I like to play and I like to watch people play. I like to learn from people and I hope that I rub off on them too.

I think a real good tour would be me and Nathaniel Rateliff. He’s like me, he can do the acoustic thing or can go all in.