We suggest 6 bands and artists that you should check out at this year's BLACK DEER FESTIVAL OF AMERICANA
Just take a look at the acts on offer at this years BLACK DEER FESTIVAL OF AMERICANA that is taking place at Eridge Park, Kent from 17th - 19th June and you will be somewhat overwhelmed, there are LOADS (and more to be announced) so which ones do you go and see?
No doubt you’re all familiar with the heavy hitters like Van Morrison, The Waterboys, Wilco and maybe some of the other more popular names but what about the acts that you’ve never heard of before? do you leave them out as you’re not familiar with their music? if so, let us help you….
We have selected 2 acts from each day and listed some information below with a video and links to their social media, please have a read, watch the video and have a dig through their socials as you may just unearth your next favourite act!
Friday 17th June
William The Conqueror
The 2021 album ‘Maverick Thinker’ says it all about William The Conqueror.
Ruarri Joseph’s swamp-blues folk trio do things their own way. When they hit the distortion and ride great rhythms, the songs pull you into the kind of groove that will light up the deer park.
The critical applause that preceded the arrival of their debut album, 2017’s ‘Proud Disturber Of The Peace’, hasn’t stopped since and the music continues to carry the weight of the earth and the grit of the ground. Like Sturgill Simpson or Margo Price tangled up in blues, William The Conqueror’s wry story songs balance the blues with just enough optimism. Their music is a short, sharp shock, filled with fuzzy college rock chops, one foot lingering over the distortion pedal and some serious swagger.
Jinda Biant
Jinda Biant is a singer songwriter unlike any other and his influences run deep.
His first step on a musical journey was into Indian classical music and by the age of ten Jinda was performing tabla at venues around Britain But it’s the howling of his bottleneck slide and ever-present Mississippi stomp box that will grab you in the deer park.
Debut album ‘Restless’ arrived in 2020 and was featured on Radio 1’s Huw Stephen’s Show. “The emblematic poster boy of new music…” is what BBC Asia said. Find out for yourself in the deer park.
Saturday 18th June
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis
Described as “a gift to those of us who still believe in magic,” London sisters & brother Kitty, Daisy & Lewis Durham, an extraordinary trio of songwriters, can play any instrument they lay their hands on.
With sales of over a quarter of a million albums and sold out headline worldwide tours they have also opened for Coldplay, Mark Ronson, Stereophonics…
Starting out young, they have inspired audiences and gathered an impressive fan base from Amy Winehouse (R.I.P.) to David Lynch.
Their albums are sparkling analogue productions, recorded on tape in their vintage studio in Camden Town.
Each rotating on different instruments with a live set that includes R&B, blues, ska, soul, country, rock ‘n’ roll and more, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis mix up genres to perfection!
Ben Ottewell
Ben Ottewell is best known as a member of Gomez, a British rock act whose debut album, ‘Bring It On’, won the Mercury Music Prize in 1998.
Gomez never had a designated frontman, but Ottewell took the helm more than his bandmates, making him one of the group’s most prominent members. After releasing the band’s sixth album in 2009, he began paving the way for a solo career, making his debut with the release of 2011’s ‘Shapes & Shadows’.
His sophomore long-player followed in 2014 and in 2017, Ottewell released his third full-length outing, ‘Man Apart’. One of England’s most powerful blues voices of modern times, the singer continues to tear rooms apart wherever he performs live.
Sunday 19th June
True Strays
True Strays are a vintage loving, blues-fuelled, dirty rock and roll band. Their live shows are a joyous hoedown of huge bass driven riffs, a howling tornado of resonator guitar, cacophonous drums and soaring Hammond organ.
Influences span the history of modern music with great admiration for the delta blues of the 40s and 50s, British Invasion and Psychedelic Rock of the 60s and 70s, Southern Rock and Soul and modern age Punk, Rock and Blues artists. Blues music is at the heart of everything they do but their sound isn’t bound to those rules or that genre. Influences include greats like Muddy Waters and Howling Wolf, Jimi Hendrix and Fleetwood Mac, The Doors and Pink Floyd and more recent punk and rock and roll bands like Nirvana, QOTSA and Idles.
True Strays have made Bristol their home recently, after a previous band disintegrated after 5 years hard work. Determined to never be in that situation again, the True Strays was formed with the ambition that this band would last. With a new set of songs and hopes in their suitcases, the band set of doing what they knew best; playing live. A real road band, they took any show they could, busked relentlessly, and shared their songs to anyone that would listen. Regularly collaborating with old band mate Matthew Cooke and some of Bristol finest keys session players, the bands sound expanded and found new direction.
Treetop Flyers
Treetop Flyers are a London based 6-piece Band, who first came out with there debut ‘The Mountain Moves’ to critical acclaim, which lead to performances at Glastonbury and many a European show and a few engagements across the water in America.
The band have toured and supported Vetiver, Catlin Rose, The Lumineers and shared festival bills with Van Morrison and Bob Dylan in the past.
The band have recently completed their 4th Album ‘Old Habits’, recorded in their studio in North London. The Band went into the studio with the premise of delivering a good old fashioned British Rock n Roll Album drawing inspiration from the likes of The Faces, solo Beatles Albums, Van Morrison amongst others and are over the moon with the result.
After this crazy last year we have something fun and exciting to share with you all very soon. In addition to this we are mega excited to be back in the Deer Park at this years festival.
So there you have it folks, 6 acts that you should definitely consider if you are attending this year’s Black Deer Festival. There are countless other acts that we could have showcased but these are acts that we know and love and think that you’ll enjoy them too. Keep an eye out on the planner for other acts that you might not be familiar with and go and pay them a visit, they’ll be grateful that you made the effort!
Whilst we have your attention, please check out the playlist that we curated based on acts performing at this year’s festival.
You can purchase tickets and get lots more information at the main Black Deer Festival Website