Indie-Country with Pedal Steel

Michael Witwicki · Post by **Michael Witwicki** » 10 Jun 2009 6:48 am

Hey everyone!

Been searching for some new music to purchase - particularly i'm looking for any new Indie Alt-Country stuff with a prominent pedal steel player.

Right now I'm listening to the Castanets who have SOME PSG on their stuff...I've also got some great demos from a short-lived band out of Tufts called Dusky Silo. But i'm looking for other good suggestions!

Thanks!

- Michael Witwicki
{currently playing imaginary pedal steel}

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 10 Jun 2009 7:12 am

other than a few small local acts...Drive By Truckers is the only thing that comes to mind.

John Phinney · Post by **John Phinney** » 10 Jun 2009 8:03 am

The newest Son Volt record has some real nice PSG on a couple tunes.

Scott Swartz · Post by **Scott Swartz** » 10 Jun 2009 8:16 am

not sure how "new" you are talking but how about Ryan Adams with John Graboff on steel.

Go to cdbaby.com and search pedal steel

We are local but you might like my band

www.myspace.com/thelinemen

Robert Tripp · Post by **Robert Tripp** » 10 Jun 2009 9:08 am

MySpace: This is the group I play with with Roger. Some were nashville productions the latest was done in a local studio using band members. Most have some PSG. If you order there are discounts for multiple CDs. Mention to Roger than I sent you.

http://www.myspace.com/rogertripp

Joel Meredith · Post by **Joel Meredith** » 10 Jun 2009 9:49 am

http://www.myspace.com/THEEDRUGSTORECOWBOYS

Shawn Canning · Post by **Shawn Canning** » 10 Jun 2009 10:30 am

Definitely check out the new John Doe & the Sadies collaboration ‘Country Club.’ Both Eric Heywood and Bob Egan (of Wilco & Blue Rodeo fame) are credited on the album, although I haven’t figured out who’s playing where. Great Album.

Bryan Daste · Post by **Bryan Daste** » 10 Jun 2009 12:47 pm

A couple of alt-country ish things I played steel on (and recorded):

http://cdbaby.com/cd/brynloosley
http://cdbaby.com/cd/scotlandbarr2
http://cdbaby.com/cd/emmahill3

Gotta love that CDbaby!

David Anderson · Post by **David Anderson** » 10 Jun 2009 1:11 pm

Here's another st. Louis band...

http://www.magnoliasummer.com/

Gary Cosden · Post by **Gary Cosden** » 10 Jun 2009 3:04 pm

http://www.myspace.com/ginahendershotandthetruebornsons

Cameron Tilbury · Post by **Cameron Tilbury** » 11 Jun 2009 3:08 am

The Deadstring Brothers are good. I love The Derailers (real Bakersfield stuff), and The Georgian Company are quite good.

Michael Pierce · Post by **Michael Pierce** » 11 Jun 2009 5:28 am

I'm a big fan of The Hoyle Brothers (Chicago based, I believe). Excellent steel. More traditional sounding honky-tonk indie-country.

http://www.hoylebrothers.com/

Danny Crelin · Post by **Danny Crelin** » 11 Jun 2009 9:38 am

The Hacienda Brothers

Scott Hiestand · Post by **Scott Hiestand** » 11 Jun 2009 11:26 am

I guess the more obvious ones....Ryan Adams/Whiskeytown, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo, Flying Burritos.

Here's an interesting guy out of Houston. Real basic pedal steel work but nice stuff:
http://www.amazon.com/Other-Side-Kindne ... 024&sr=8-3

I agree with Michael on the Hoyle Brothers.

Finally....the band I'm in! Yes, we are "local" and I'm a "new addition" so no sign of steel work on the demos.....yet. Hey, gotta put in a plug!

www.mobjackmusic.com

Jonathan Shacklock · Post by **Jonathan Shacklock** » 11 Jun 2009 1:39 pm

You may have seen this recent thread relating to Sera Cahoone - I highly rate her latest album, really gets under your skin.

I think Richmond Fontaine with Paul Brainard on steel are currently the leading lights in this field. Start with Post To Wire and go from there.

Also, I second Shawn's John Doe & the Sadies recommendation - old songs given an indie edge, great stuff.

Henry Nagle · Post by **Henry Nagle** » 11 Jun 2009 9:27 pm

Hi Michael..

That might be my own decrepit whine on the Castanets recording you heard.

I'm not sure when it's release date is, but I tracked on their latest back in april and I played a lot of pedal steel, much more than the last album. Quite a bit of electric guitar as well.

The Castanets are definitely more "alternative" than country, but I think Ray is a talented songwriter and singer. He's distinctive and has a certain "sweetness" in his sound. And- I think the new record is going to be really good. I'm excited about it, and that is really saying something, 'cause I'm a total snob.

Henry

Henry Nagle · Post by **Henry Nagle** » 11 Jun 2009 9:35 pm

The first Jayhawks album (if you can find it) has some really good steel guitar and is a great album anyways.

Son Volts' first album, Trace, has some great pedal steel stuff and is also a super record....

There's a local band (SF bay area) called.... "Or, The Whale", (I think they use a comma)..... Anyways, I haven't heard their recordings, but I like them a lot and their steel player is prominent and quite good.

Mark Shuda · Post by **Mark Shuda** » 12 Jun 2009 6:08 am

Hi Mike,
Saw your post....looking for "alt" country with steel, independently marketed and produced.
Ran accross a band from Wisconsin called "The Honky Tonk Twisters" Two albums out and a third on the way.
You can get a sample of their stuff on MySpace

http://www.myspace.com/honkytonktwisters

No Ameripolitan, pirate shirts, undertaker jackets, metrosexuals ect. just great twang...what I refer to as "Country and Western" music.

Please take a listen and be sure to drop the guys a email to let them know what you think!

God Bless and God Bless traditional "Country and Western Music"!

Mark

Nathan Golub · Post by **Nathan Golub** » 12 Jun 2009 7:25 am

I See Hawks in L.A.

www.myspace.com/iseehawksinla

Steve Alcott · Post by **Steve Alcott** » 12 Jun 2009 7:35 am

"Mission Door" by Peter Cooper

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