Renowned alt country mavericks Richmond Fontaine are set to make a rare visit to the UK later this summer.
Alt country – one of the loosest musical tags known to the modern listener. Covering everything from relatively slick country rock to all out noise, the genre is perhaps best defined through the work of groups such as Richmond Fontaine.
Richmond Fontaine were formed in 1994, and have gone on to build a reputation as one of the pre-eminent groups in modern American music. Gathering a cult following the band’s sterling songwriting recalls Americana greats while hinting at a glorious future.
Lead by Willy Vlautin the band are quite similar to the legendary Uncle Tupelo, in that both blend country styles with modern rock music. However due to Vlautin’s unique songwriting voice Richmond Fontaine have a distinct identity of their own.
After four albums the group were well known in the United States, but it took the release of ‘Post To Wire’ to bring them outside attention. A stunning mixture of country and rock, it was a showcase for Vlautin’s lyrical style.
Informed by great American writers such as Steinbeck Willy Vlautin has branched out into literature himself. The singer’s first novel ‘The Motel Life’ was published in 2006 and was followed by the acclaimed work ‘Northline’.
Blurring the divide between Richmond Fontaine and his literary work ‘The Motel Life’ came complete with a soundtrack CD by Vlautin.
Richmond Fontaine last released an album with ‘Thirteen Cities’ in 2007. The band have finished recording a follow up, with the alt country dons set to return with a new release planned for August.
Before then, however, Richmond Fontaine are due to tour the UK. Combining full band performances with Willy Vlautin solo sets this is as rare chance to catch one of America’s most heralded groups.
Richmond Fontaine are due to play the following shows:
July
17 London The Social (Vlautin solo set)
18 Brighton The Basement (Vlautin solo set)
19 Latitude Festival (Vlautin Solo Set)
September
5 pontypridd Muni Arts Centre
6 Winchester SXSC Festival
7 Leicester The Musician
8 Newcastle The Cluny
9 Glasgow Stereo
10 Leeds The New Roscoe
