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'''Alternative country''' is a term applied to various subgenres of ]. {{Short description|Subgenre of country music}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
]
{{Infobox music genre
The term can refer to several ideas. Most generally, any musician who plays a type of ] different from the prevailing trend can be said to play "alternative country". By this standard, for example, the ] was alternative in the ], and the ] musicians were alternative in the ].
| name = Alternative country
| stylistic_origins = {{hlist|]|]|]|]|]|]|]|]|]|]|]}}
| cultural_origins = Late 20th century
| derivatives =
| subgenrelist =
| subgenres =
| fusiongenres =
| regional_scenes =
| local_scenes =
| other_topics = * ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
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}}


'''Alternative country''' (commonly abbreviated to '''alt-country''';<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113065236/http://www.nodepression.com/page/the-story-of-no-depression|date=January 13, 2010}}, ''No Depression'', retrieved May 19, 2010.</ref> also known as '''alternative country rock''',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/style/alternative-country-rock-ma0000012294|title=Alternative Country-Rock Music Genre Overview|website=AllMusic}}</ref> '''insurgent country''',<ref name="Malone2002" /> ''']''', or '''y'allternative'''<ref name=smith2009/>) is a loosely defined subgenre of ] and/or ] that includes acts that differ significantly in style from mainstream country music, mainstream country rock, and ]. Alternative country artists are often influenced by ]. Most frequently, the term has been used to describe certain country music and country rock bands and artists that are also defined as or have incorporated influences from ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
⚫ In the ] however, "alternative country" came to refer to a disparate group of musicians and singers operating outside the traditions and industry of mainstream country music. In general these musicians eschewed the high production values and pop outlook of the Nashville-dominated industry, to produce music with a ] sound, frequently informed with a strong ] and ] aesthetic, bending the traditional rules of country music. Lyrics are often bleak, gothic or socially aware. Otherwise, the musical styles of artists that fall within this genre often have little in common, ranging from traditional ] and ], through ] and ], to music that is indistinguishable from mainstream rock or country. Indeed many alternative country artists come from punk and rock backgrounds. This already broad labelling has been further confused by alternative country artists disavowing the movement, mainstream artists declaring they are part of it, and the retroactive claiming of past or veteran musicians as alternative country. ], the most well known magazine of the genre, declares that it covers "alternative-country music (whatever that is)".


==Definitions and characteristics==
Despite this confusion, it is generally agreed that alternative country resulted from two opposing influences. The first is traditional American country music, the music of working people, preserved and celebrated by practitioners such as ], ] and ]. The second is ], the result of fusing country music with an aggressive ] sound. The artist most commonly identified as the originator of country rock is ] (who referred to his sound as "Cosmic American Music"), although ], and ] are frequently identified as important innovators. These two styles merged in ]'s ] LP '']'', and this album is widely credited with being the first "alt-country" album. The band ] continued in this tradition and lead singer ] continues to shape the genre to this day in his solo career.
] performing in 2005]]
⚫ In the 1990s, the term ''alternative country'', paralleling alternative rock, began to be used to describe a diverse group of musicians and singers operating outside the traditions and industry of mainstream country music.<ref name=smith2009/> Many eschewed the increasingly polished production values and pop sensibilities of the ]-dominated industry for a more ] sound, frequently infused with a strong ] and ] aesthetic.<ref name=WolfandDuanep549>K. Wolff and O. Duane, eds, ''Country Music: the Rough Guide'' (London: Rough Guides, 2000), {{ISBN|1-85828-534-8}}, p. 549.</ref> Lyrics may be bleak or socially aware, but also more heartfelt and less likely to use the clichés sometimes used by mainstream country musicians. In other respects, the musical styles of artists that fall within this genre often have little in common, ranging from traditional ] and bluegrass, through rockabilly and honky-tonk, to music that is indistinguishable from mainstream rock or country.<ref>C. K. Wolfe and J. E. Akenson, ''Country Music Annual 2001'' (University Press of Kentucky, 2001), {{ISBN|0-8131-0990-6}}, pp. 78–80.</ref> This already broad labeling has been further confused by alternative country artists disavowing the movement, mainstream artists declaring they are part of it, and retroactive claims that past or veteran musicians are alternative country. '']'', the best-known magazine dedicated to the genre, declared that it covered "alternative-country music (whatever that is)".<ref>A. A. Fox, "Alternative to what?": O Brother, September 11 and the politics of country music", in C. K. Wolfe and J. E. Akenson, ''Country Music Goes to War'' (Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky, 2005), {{ISBN|0-8131-2308-9}}, p. 164.</ref>


==History==
Alternative country is popularly referred to, especially in print, as "alt-country" or sometimes "alt.country". The genre is also referred to under a large number of other names, including "]", "trashcan americana", "insurgent country", "]", "no depression", "]", "]", "regressive country", "lo-fi country", "]", "twang core", "rural contemporary", "country-punk", "y'allternative", "hick rock", "alternative country-rock" and many others.
Alternative country drew on traditional American country music, the music of working people, preserved and celebrated by practitioners such as ], ], and ], often cited as major influences.<ref>G Smith, ''Singing Australian: a History of Folk and Country Music'' (Melbourne: Pluto Press Australia, 2005), {{ISBN|1-86403-241-3}}, p. 134.</ref> Another major influence was ], the result of fusing country music with a rock & roll sound. The third factor was ], which supplied an energy and ].<ref name=WolfandDuanep396>K. Wolff and O. Duane, eds, ''Country Music: the Rough Guide'' (London: Rough Guides, 2000), {{ISBN|1-85828-534-8}}, p. 396.</ref>


] on stage in 2008]]
⚫ ''].''
Attempts to combine punk and country had been pioneered by a number of bands prior to 1990, including ]'s ], ]’s ], and the Minneapolis-based band ], along with the 1980s Southern Californian ] scene with bands such as ]<ref name=Malone2002>W. C. Malone, ''Country Music, U.S.A.'' (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 2nd edn., 2002), {{ISBN|0-292-75262-8}}, p. 451.</ref> and ].<ref name="x">{{Cite web |url=https://atwoodmagazine.com/alphabetland-x-band-interview-2020-music/ |work=Atwood Magazine |date=2020-05-07 |access-date=2020-05-08 |last=Fechik |first=Mariel |title=Interview: X's Exene Cervenka on LA Punk Legends' Return & New Album ''ALPHABETLAND'' |language=en-GB}}</ref> However, the “alt country” label did not gain popularity among music journalists until the release of ]'s 1990 LP '']'', which has been credited as being the first "alt-country" album. It is also the namesake of the online notice board and eventually ] that underpinned the movement.<ref name=smith2009>C. Smith, ''101 Albums That Changed Popular Music'' (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009), {{ISBN|0-19-537371-5}}, pp. 204–9.</ref><ref name="AllmusicNoDepression">M. Deming, , ''Allmusic'', retrieved January 26, 2009.</ref> They released three more influential albums, signing to a major label, before they broke up in 1994, with members and figures associated with them going on to form three major bands in the genre: ], ] and ].<ref name=smith2009/> Bottle Rockets signed, along with acts like ], ] and ], to the Chicago-based indie label, ], who pioneered a version of the genre under the name ''insurgent country''.<ref name=Malone2002/><ref name=WolfandDuanep550>K. Wolff and O. Duane, eds, ''Country Music: the Rough Guide'' (London: Rough Guides, 2000), {{ISBN|1-85828-534-8}}, p. 550.</ref> The bands ], ], ] and ] further developed this tradition before most began to move more in the direction of rock music in the 2000s.<ref name=WolfandDuanep549-92>K. Wolff and O. Duane, eds, ''Country Music: the Rough Guide'' (London: Rough Guides, 2000), {{ISBN|1-85828-534-8}}, pp. 549–92.</ref>

==Internet Radio==
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==See also== ==See also==
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==References== ==References==
;Notes
{{Reflist|2}}


;Bibliography
⚫ * Alden, Grant; & Blackstock, Peter (1998). "No Depression: An Introduction to Alternative Country Music. Whatever That Is". Dowling Pr. ISBN 1-891847-00-7.
* Goodman, David (1999). "Modern Twang: An Alternative Country Music Guide and Directory". Dowling Pr. ISBN 1-891847-03-1. * Alden, Grant; & Blackstock, Peter (1998). ''No Depression: An Introduction to Alternative Country Music. Whatever That Is''. Dowling Pr. {{ISBN|1-891847-00-7}}.
⚫ * Goodman, David (1999). ''Modern Twang: An Alternative Country Music Guide and Directory''. Dowling Pr. {{ISBN|1-891847-03-1}}.
*{{cite book|author1=Wolff, Kurt |author2=Duane, Orla|title=Country Music: The Rough Guide |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3Jorozp1yp4C&pg=PA557 |year=2000|publisher=Rough Guides|isbn=978-1-85828-534-4|pages=557–8}}
* {{cite web |last1=Kasten |first1=Roy |date=April 29, 2008 |url=http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2008-04-30/music/15-up-fifteen-things-you-might-not-know-about-local-heroes-the-bottle-rockets-on-the-occasion-of-their-fifteenth-birthday/ |title=Fifteen Things You Might Not Know about The Bottle Rockets, on Their Fifteenth Birthday |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604092326/http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2008-04-30/music/15-up-fifteen-things-you-might-not-know-about-local-heroes-the-bottle-rockets-on-the-occasion-of-their-fifteenth-birthday/ |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |website= Riverfront Times }}
* Hogeland, William (March 14, 2004), "", ''New York Times''.


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category|Alternative country}}
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* * from American Studies at the University of Virginia
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* from the by Frank Hoffmann and modified for the web by Robert Birkline
* - ], ], & ] News, Reviews, & Personality
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] {{Country music}}
] {{Alternative rock}}
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Latest revision as of 15:41, 23 September 2024

Subgenre of country music

Alternative country
Stylistic origins
Cultural originsLate 20th century
Other topics

Alternative country (commonly abbreviated to alt-country; also known as alternative country rock, insurgent country, Americana, or y'allternative) is a loosely defined subgenre of country music and/or country rock that includes acts that differ significantly in style from mainstream country music, mainstream country rock, and country pop. Alternative country artists are often influenced by alternative rock. Most frequently, the term has been used to describe certain country music and country rock bands and artists that are also defined as or have incorporated influences from alternative rock, indie rock, punk rock, heartland rock, Southern rock, progressive country, outlaw country, neotraditional country, Texas country, Red Dirt, roots rock, indie folk, folk rock, rockabilly, bluegrass, and honky tonk.

Definitions and characteristics

Son Volt performing in 2005

In the 1990s, the term alternative country, paralleling alternative rock, began to be used to describe a diverse group of musicians and singers operating outside the traditions and industry of mainstream country music. Many eschewed the increasingly polished production values and pop sensibilities of the Nashville-dominated industry for a more lo-fi sound, frequently infused with a strong punk and rock and roll aesthetic. Lyrics may be bleak or socially aware, but also more heartfelt and less likely to use the clichés sometimes used by mainstream country musicians. In other respects, the musical styles of artists that fall within this genre often have little in common, ranging from traditional American folk music and bluegrass, through rockabilly and honky-tonk, to music that is indistinguishable from mainstream rock or country. This already broad labeling has been further confused by alternative country artists disavowing the movement, mainstream artists declaring they are part of it, and retroactive claims that past or veteran musicians are alternative country. No Depression, the best-known magazine dedicated to the genre, declared that it covered "alternative-country music (whatever that is)".

History

Alternative country drew on traditional American country music, the music of working people, preserved and celebrated by practitioners such as Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, and the Carter Family, often cited as major influences. Another major influence was country rock, the result of fusing country music with a rock & roll sound. The third factor was punk rock, which supplied an energy and DIY attitude.

Blue Mountain on stage in 2008

Attempts to combine punk and country had been pioneered by a number of bands prior to 1990, including Nashville's Jason and the Scorchers, San Francisco’s American Music Club, and the Minneapolis-based band the Jayhawks, along with the 1980s Southern Californian cowpunk scene with bands such as the Long Ryders and X. However, the “alt country” label did not gain popularity among music journalists until the release of Uncle Tupelo's 1990 LP No Depression, which has been credited as being the first "alt-country" album. It is also the namesake of the online notice board and eventually magazine that underpinned the movement. They released three more influential albums, signing to a major label, before they broke up in 1994, with members and figures associated with them going on to form three major bands in the genre: Wilco, Son Volt and Bottle Rockets. Bottle Rockets signed, along with acts like Freakwater, Old 97's and Robbie Fulks, to the Chicago-based indie label, Bloodshot, who pioneered a version of the genre under the name insurgent country. The bands Blue Mountain, Whiskeytown, Blood Oranges and Drive-By Truckers further developed this tradition before most began to move more in the direction of rock music in the 2000s.

See also

References

Notes
  1. "The story of No Depression" Archived January 13, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, No Depression, retrieved May 19, 2010.
  2. "Alternative Country-Rock Music Genre Overview". AllMusic.
  3. ^ W. C. Malone, Country Music, U.S.A. (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 2nd edn., 2002), ISBN 0-292-75262-8, p. 451.
  4. ^ C. Smith, 101 Albums That Changed Popular Music (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009), ISBN 0-19-537371-5, pp. 204–9.
  5. K. Wolff and O. Duane, eds, Country Music: the Rough Guide (London: Rough Guides, 2000), ISBN 1-85828-534-8, p. 549.
  6. C. K. Wolfe and J. E. Akenson, Country Music Annual 2001 (University Press of Kentucky, 2001), ISBN 0-8131-0990-6, pp. 78–80.
  7. A. A. Fox, "Alternative to what?": O Brother, September 11 and the politics of country music", in C. K. Wolfe and J. E. Akenson, Country Music Goes to War (Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky, 2005), ISBN 0-8131-2308-9, p. 164.
  8. G Smith, Singing Australian: a History of Folk and Country Music (Melbourne: Pluto Press Australia, 2005), ISBN 1-86403-241-3, p. 134.
  9. K. Wolff and O. Duane, eds, Country Music: the Rough Guide (London: Rough Guides, 2000), ISBN 1-85828-534-8, p. 396.
  10. Fechik, Mariel (May 7, 2020). "Interview: X's Exene Cervenka on LA Punk Legends' Return & New Album ALPHABETLAND". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  11. M. Deming, "No Depression Bonus Tracks", Allmusic, retrieved January 26, 2009.
  12. K. Wolff and O. Duane, eds, Country Music: the Rough Guide (London: Rough Guides, 2000), ISBN 1-85828-534-8, p. 550.
  13. K. Wolff and O. Duane, eds, Country Music: the Rough Guide (London: Rough Guides, 2000), ISBN 1-85828-534-8, pp. 549–92.
Bibliography

External links


Country music genres
Genres
Regional scenes
Related
Alternative rock
Precursors
Styles and
fusion genres
Alternative metal
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