Simon Stanley Ward + Serious Sam Barrett

A 25-year-old Londoner in a cowboy hat may not be your go-to man for authentic Americana, but Simon Stanley Ward is sharp-witted and knowing (he has a song about affectations called 'American Voice'), and has a distinctive, high nasal voice that hits the spot more often than you'd expect on his self-penned country songs. In support is Barrett, a Yorkshire blues and bluesgrass man who echoes the style of Bukka White, Blind Willie McTell and The Carter Family in his own arrangements of traditional songs on 12-string resonator. Revolutions Brewing Company are even releasing a limited edition cask ale named after him.