When you think of the USA’s Deep South, you think of bluegrass and country, rhythm and blues. When you think of the Gold Coast it’s all about the surf. Hussy Hicks have taken the best of both and brought them to life with their new album.
Hussy Hicks have a strong connection to Alabama, drawn there regularly in the past ten years to perform, record and revitalise between tours of Europe, USA and Australia. So it’s no surprise that release was recorded deep in the heart of Dixie.
The band had spent a few weeks at the magical Muscle Shoals Sound Studios recording ‘Raise the Dead’ by Kristy Lee and were keen to get back to Alabama to cut some Hussy Hicks tracks. Hall of Fame legend Rick Hirsch (Wet Willy, Cher, Greg Allman, Joan Armatrading) played host to the Hussy Hicks in his Alabama studio, where they gathered a few musician friends to collaborate on a seven-track mini album.
The album’s title track was inspired by the duo’s European touring schedule.
After regular appearances at Sarzana Austic Guitar festival the girls became involved in a music loving association near Rome. The directors of the organisation are keen guitar players and After concerts everyone would often end up at Guiseppe Fortunato’s (Lucky Joe) house jammin’ on guitars, eating amazing food and drinking his home made wine. Julz had been working on an instrumental for a while and figured that if they could convey the feeling you get jamming after cracking open the latest vintage then you couldn’t go wrong – Lucky Joe’s Wine was named.
…and Dog River ?
Rick’s studio sits right on a bend on Mobile’s Dog River. The location: Spanish Moss dripping out of the Magnolia trees and fish literally jumping, delivered a more alternative country feel to the album.
‘Lucky Joe’s Wine and Other Tales From Dog River’ is a completely new direction for the Australian-based duo, seeing an evolution of sound from NCEIA Album of the Year ‘The London Sessions’ to a more alt country, southern feel.
The country focus will be no surprise to Hussy Hicks’ long-time fans. Leesa Gentz grew up in the Australian country scene, signing to ABC records at just 16 years old. As always, the Hussies’ music is a melting pot of influences and on this track you hear not just Leesa’s country roots but also a pull towards the surf instrumental vibes from Julz’s time with the Phil Emmanuel band.
Naturally the girls are touring to support the record, culminating in two much coveted spots at Byron Bay’s Bluesfest.
2016 Tour Dates
Feb 5 – Nightquarter Gold Coast – Qld
Feb 6 – Riverside Bar Marrochydore – Qld
Feb 7 – Taps The Valley – QLD
Feb 12 – Beaches Thirroul – NSW
Feb 13 – Lazybones Marrickville – NSW
Feb 14 – Meatstock Festival Sydney Early – 6pm- NSW
Feb 14 Brass Monkey Cronulla Late – 9pm NSW
Feb 19 – Seaview Hotel Woolgoolga – NSW
March 3 – Setters Tavern WA
March 4,5,6 Nannup Festival WA
March 9, Redcliff on the Murray WA
March 10 – Mojo’s Fremantle WA
March 11 – Indi Bar Scarborough WA
March 12 – Sing for the South West Old Coast Road Brewery WA
March 13 – Clancy’s Dunsborough WA
March 15 – Perth Blues Club WA
March 16 – Redcliff on the Murray WA
March 19 – Nukara Festival WA
March 25 – Bluesfest Byron Bay NSW
March 27 – Bluesfest Byron Bay NSW
Links
www.hussyhicks.com
www.facebook.com/hussyhicks
www.instagram.com/hussyhicks
www.twitter.com/hussyhicks
hussyhicks.bandcamp.com
www.youtube.com/funkfauna