On The Artisanals latest single “Country Roads Town”, Johnny Delaware is as reflective as ever, looking back on his midwestern upbringing in South Dakota. It’s a song he never could have written without the journey that’s taken him across America, from South Dakota, to Austin, Texas, and now to Charleston, South Carolina. Three regions with distinctly different styles of music, with Charleston’s arts culture and deep old South charm, Austin’s country western influence and South Dakota’s roots and folk rock style, you’ll be hard pressed to find another Americana artist that’s lived a life as deeply influenced by each.
The bands last single “Roll With It”, which premiered via Paste a couple of weeks ago, shows a different side of the band. It’s a straight forward sing along song, a song that’s built around the “roll with it” mantra. A song built on hope and one that’s reflective of Delaware himself who’s a positive life force to be around. “Country Roads Town” however gives listeners more of a glimpse into the mystery man himself.
After spending the last couple of years on the road performing and writing with rising Charleston act Susto, Delaware left the band late last year to form The Artisanals. It was easy to question that move, after-all Susto was just hitting their stride with their sophomore album ‘& I’m Fine Today’ about to release, all the leg work they’d put in for the last five years was about to start paying off. In addition, Delaware played a huge roll in that album, contributing in the writing process, singing a verse on the album, and becoming a staple to the band’s live show with his long hair swinging throughout the set. Now with some hindsight it’s clear he made the right decision with The Artisanals quick rise in popularity, along with Susto’s steady rise unfazed.
After leaving Susto Delaware went to work quickly, teaming up with some old friends in Brave Baby’s Wolfgang Zimmerman, Jordan Hicks, and Steven Walker, along with Clay Houle on guitar, to finish writing and to record ‘Literally, Anywhere’, the band’s debut EP. Last winter they spent weeks at Magic Barn Studio in Iowa City, Iowa focused on the recording of this EP and their full length record. Since then they’ve been on and off the road honing their live show, preparing for their upcoming releases and the tour dates to follow.
Catch The Artisanals Tuesday at The Royal American and Saturday at New Brookland Tavern with 2 Slices and ET Anderson.
9/13 — Royal American — Charleston, SC
9/16 — New Brookland Tavern — Columbia, SC
9/19 — Cat’s Cradle — Carborro, NC
9/20 — Radio Room — Greenville, SC
9/22 — Chattanooga, TN #
9/23 — Family Wash — Nashville, TN
9/24 — Druid City Music Hall — Tuscaloos, AL #
9/29 — U Street Music Hall — Washington DC
10/6 — Jannus Live — St Petersburg #
10/7 — House of Blues -Lake Buena Vista Florida #
10/8 — The Fillmore — Miami #
10/12 — El Rocko Lounge — Savannah, GA
10/13 — Cox Capitol Theatre — Macon, GA $
10/14 — The Earl — Atlanta, GA
11/3 — The Caledonia Lounge — Athens, GA &
11/7 — White Oak Music Hall — Houston, TX &
11/8 — Stubbs Jr. — Austin, TX &
11/10 — 191 Toole — Tucson, AZ &
11/11 — Soda Bar — San Diego, CA &
11/13 — Moroccan Lounge — Los Angeles, CA &
11/14 — Rickshaw — San Francisco, CA &
11/16 — Liquor Store — Portland, OR &
11/17 — Freakout Fest — Seattle, WA &
11/18 — Neurolux — Boise, ID &
11/20 — The Globe — Denver, CO &
# — w/ Band of Horses
$ — w/ J Roddy Walston & the Business
& — w/ Roadkill Ghost Choir
