× Alabama’s rebellious roots rousers The Pine Hill Haints hit Europe

Alabama’s rebellious roots rousers The Pine Hill Haints hit Europe

30-08-2023

Alabama’s roots rebels, the Pine Hill Haints' latest release The Song Companion of a Lonestar Cowboy was their debut for Muscle Shoals-based “scrappy” (Billboard) indie label Single Lock Records. Over fifteen tracks filled with “sizzling electric guitar riffs” and “sage advice” via their storytelling lyrics (Rolling Stone), the Haints take listeners on a journey through tracks that veer into swampy blues, Sun Records-style country and rockabilly, and cajun-flavored, accordion-driven pop, all mixed with “the right amount of weird” (Alabama Life & Culture).

Born out of skateboarding culture and formed in a cemetery, the Haints have spent 25 years on the road resurrecting all kinds of music, including traditional folk, blues, and gospel, that has passed out of the mainstream in a style they call “Alabama Ghost Country.” The album is just that - fiery rockabilly-meets-Irish-jig rave-ups and catchy squeezebox pop tunes filled with pounding tom-toms and energetic fiddles, mixed with tributes to the legendary Satchel Paige, John Henry, and Billy The Kid while lead singer Jamie Barrier's strong tenor voice rings familiar and friendly, with deep echoes of everything from John Lee Hooker to Buddy Holly to Johnny Cash.

In addition to being included in Rolling Stone's roundup of best new country songs, the Haints have developed a cult following from their quarter century on the road playing with a sense of abandon that comes from thousands of gigs behind them - taking place anywhere from college apartments to major festivals. American Songwriter noted in praise of these purveyors of Southern music tradition, “The Pine Hill Haints are not so much interested in popularizing non-mainstream folk as they are adamant in dwelling in their ancestral influences to endure a long line of stylistic storytelling.”

Starting this month the Pine Hill Haints will embark on an overdue European tour:

07/09: Bodenmais, DE - Rote Res
08/09: Altlandsberg, DE - The Buchholz Saloon
09/09: Norderstedt, DE - Music Star
10/09: Asten, NL - Misty Fields
11/09: Filey, UK - Filey Americana Festival
12/09: Sheffield, UK - Greystones
13/09: Newcastle, UK - The Cluny
14/09: Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club
15/09: London, UK - West Hampstead Arts Club
17/09: Nantes, FR - White Shelter
19/09: San Sebastian, ESP - Dabadaba
20/09: Madrid, ESP - Fun House
21/09: Valencia, ESP - Loco Club
22/09: Barcelona, ESP - Paral.lel 62 Club
23/09: Zaragoza, ESP - Rock & Blues Café

Related artist: Pine Hill Haints back