Americana Avond

Jon Dee Graham (solo)

Songwriter with an intimate gravel voice who can rely on an impressive oeuvre. Graham started his career with various underground punk bands, opening for The Ramones, The Clash and John Cale in the late 1970s. In the eighties he devoted his heart to roots country and with his band The True Believers laid the foundation for what would later become Americana. After wandering through artists such as Michelle Shocked, Ry Cooder and John Doe (who will perform later tonight), John Dee Graham finally ventures into a solo album in '97, which is described as a “bare-knuckled, bone-chilling solo debut” by the press. His latest album on New West Record, which also houses Vic Chesnutt, Drive-By Truckers and Buddy Miller, has become another gem. Graham does what he does best: intimate Americana with poetically strong lyrics.

Gray DeLisle

The press fully agrees: Gray DeLisle is a strong lady who makes many American hearts beat harder. Her two previous albums 'The Small Time' and 'Homewrecker' received no less than high praise in Oor and even achieved a high ranking in the end-of-year lists. A place that rightly deserves her, because Gray DeLisle introduces a unique sound within alternative Americana. Her atypical and desolate musical setting is a delight to the ear, colored by her expressive voice. On stage she is also surrounded by talented musicians, including drummer Dave Mattacks, who used to play with Nick Drake. 'Iron Flowers', which was released in June 2005 and opens with a daring pared-down version of Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody', confirms her status as an Americana goddess.

John Doe, Peter Case & Michael Weston King

To conclude this Americana evening, a super trio of songwriters will take to the Handelsbeurs stage. John Doe thrives in LA in the early 1980s as the frontman of He discovers the power of Americana and writes one strong album after another. His latest, 'Forever hasn't happened yet' outclasses them all!

For convenience we call Peter Case's style folk rock, but in his own words it is “I'm a singer songwriter that uses all the American styles to get my stories across: blues, rock 'n roll, country, soul, R&B…& folk.. plus some rhythmic influences from around the world.” In short, Case is an eclectic citizen of the world and this is reflected in his music.

Michael Weston King, the only Englishman of the trio, formed The Good Sons in 1991, as the British answer to the American contralto. country golf. Their records on the Glitterhouse label are rightly compared to the best of The Jayhawks, Wilco and Son Volt. After ten years of The Good Sons, Michael Weston King has taken the solo route. Tonight, however, he is happy to share the stage with the two other songwriter greats.