I have had a lot of conversations of late about “Alt-Country”. These conversations had many inspirations including the announcement that No Depression the magazine that had covered the music form was folding. These discussion led to multiple occasions on which I tried to explain what it was. In the course of this I found that it is really a hard thing to nail down. I named a lot of bands, which did not help. I tried to develop a “definition” and really did not come up with much.
Wikipedia gives this one, “Alternative country is a term used to describe a number of country music subgenres that tend to differ from mainstream or pop country music. The term is sometimes known as Alt. country and has included country music bands that have incorporated influences ranging from American folk tunes, bluegrass, rock-and-roll, rockabilly, honky-tonk and punk rock.” Meanwhile, altcountry.com (which is not the same as alt-country.org tries hard to avoid giving a definition.
In the end, I decided to site Grahm Parsons (who may be the father of alt-country):
“It’s music…either it’s good or it’s bad…either you like it or you don’t!”
and give this explanation…it is a form of generally radio unfriendly music that has strong country, roots and folk influences and a strong DIY punk attitude. Basically, it ranges from the country rock of Grahm Parsosns, to the Outlaws (Willlie, Waylon etc.). Ultimately, I think the magazine really solidified the movement as being those bands simialr to and inspired by Uncle Tupelo. Regardless, many of the the groups that get put into box produce great music. So, here I have assembled a set of why I consider alt-country. This maybe part of a multi part collection. In this set I did not so much curate by history or reputation. Instead, songs that I felt were representative. This collection includes tunes by Wilco, Jay Farrar, The Sadies, The flying Burrito Brothers, Townes Van Zandt, Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Hank Williams III, Buck Ownens, The Derailers, Lyle Lovett, Neco Case, The Jayhawks, and of course Uncle Tupelo.
Click here to download the collection