Lydia Stockbridge

You can’t get much further away from the American Deep South but this Vancouver based bunch of hillbillies play as though they were raised in the Appalachians. The six-piece, who hit The Greys on Monday 6th June, play classics and originals with fiddles, mandolin, banjo, stand-up bass and guitar battling it out on the hoedown songs or playing sweetly behind the vocalists on the waltzier numbers. We’re not sure The Greys is big enough for a barn dance but we reckon they’ll give it their best shot.

There’s been a mini-epidemic of youngish old-timey bands recently and thankfully most of them have been individualistic and great showmen. Stepping up to the plate to hopefully join them is North Carolina’s Woody Pines and his band of merry men, who arrive at The Hydrant on Friday 6th May. Playing a mix of ragtime and country blues, there are rich pickings on offer from their two albums. If good ol’ tunes are what you like, this should be the perfect way to start your weekend.

Flying the flag for Brighton bands, One Inch Badge records is set to host a five-day showcase of the most exciting bands on the Brighton scene. We catch up with O.I.B founder Alex Murray who gives us the skinny.

We spoke to a new Brighton act who’re shaking up the underground scene, Crooked Mountain, Crooked Sea; digging up their influences, style and what drew them to our shores.

Bigger, bolder and more fabulous, Brighton Frocks is back with a brand new look, we spoke to it’s creator Liz Bishop about each show, the importance of supporting Brighton’s upcoming designers and the big names coming down for a spot on the front row.

There’s more than just the main event at The Great Escape 2010 – we talk you though the Alternative Escape.

The Alternative Escape runs alongside the main festival as an extra treat for wristband holders and regular punters alike for all labels, promoters and organisers to show off their latest signings inimitable musical talents.

Upbeat, eccentric 6 Music darlings release their latest burst of charmingly DIY folk-pop