Roskilde Festival has a genuine Americana package ready for today. While today’s acts come from both sides of the Atlantic, all three names have country, folk and rustic, all-American songwriting as a starting point.
BRIGHT EYES (US) has gone from being a breathlessness-struck teenager to a fully mature songwriter with air under his wings, political indignation and a great arsenal of musical effects. Front man Conor Oberst’s easily recognised voice enjoys the company of well-written songs that in an instant can go from flickering beautifully and quietly as a candle to bursting out in a sea of flames of emotional rock. Alternative folk rock in American wide-screen from an artist that many has proclaimed a new Bob Dylan.
CODY (DK) plays pop songs in a charming country and folk wrapping. Kaspar Kaae is Cody’s band leader, songwriter and artistic driving force. Single-handedly, he produces Americana-sounding pop hits with a perfect American accent. In concert a whole group of musical esquires join him on stage. This way, Cody’s lonely starting point is turned into a collective experience lifted by violins, lap steel guitar and banjo.
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE (US) is no less than the son of American country rock legend Steve Earle – yet, he seems convincing in his insistence of marking his own territory. With a rough life behind him, Earle has lots of material to write songs from, loaded with the isolation and hard-earned experiences of country music. At the same time it is clear to hear that this is a new generation singing. As a member of the mp3 generation he can easily skip between different genres such as blues, folk, hillbilly and honky tonk. Earle junior follows inventively and respectfully in his father’s footsteps.
See more Roskilde-Festival 2011
Roskilde Festival Press release March 2011