He’s a native of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada but sings roots-driven Outlaw country like the ghost of Johnny Cash with a penmanship to match that of Townes Van Zandt. Colter Wall is a young man, armed with a guitar and kick drum, I’m not sure what strangers would expect to hear on first impressions but I’m pretty damn sure they’d be in for a surprise.
Since the release of his 2015 EP Imaginary Appalachia, he’s been winning the hearts and minds of many, both in his native Canada and the US where the EP was released in 2016. That reputation was consolidated further with his self-titled debut album released earlier this year, notching up well-deserved critical acclaim and a #5 position on the Rough Trade Best of year.
Whilst he’s young, none of this attention seems to have gone to his head – something that’s very admirable in this day and age. His Instagram is full of great words and only this week he had this to say: “I don’t believe in award shows. What I do believe in is putting on a badass live show with real songwriters who don’t feel the need to pat themselves on the back every year and divvy out meaningless trophies.” I wish we had more like him…and he also knows how to let his hair down…
It comes as no surprise that his reputation has reached the UK shores where there’s a strong audience thirsty for great roots music and intelligent songwriting. That thirst seems to have only been partly quenched by his debut album back in May as Young Mary’s Records/Thirty Tigers are now to release his 2015 EP Imaginary Appalachia on January 19th on Vinyl and CD. The release comes ahead of a UK run of dates in February 2018, including Celtic Connections on 3rd and London’s Bush Hall on 6th February (see full dates below).
‘Imaginary Appalachia’ features seven tracks including live favourites ‘The Devil Wears a Suit and Tie’ and the raw, folk-driven EP opener ‘Sleeping on the Blacktop’ which featured in the Hell Or High Water Movie. A native of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada, Colter’s sound is comprised of resonate and raw vocals, folk and bluegrass style guitar and banjo picking, steady kick-drum stomping, and visually provoking story-telling lyrics.
Pre-Order Imaginary Appalachia
Colter Wall UK Tour Dates
February
Fri 2nd – LEEDS, The Wardrobe
Sat 3rd – Glasgow, Celtic Connections
Sun 4th – Manchester, The Deaf Institute
Tue 6th – London, Bush Hall
Wed 7th – Brighton, Green Door Store
Photo Credit: Press image by Melissa Stilwell