Working on the premise that if it doesn’t exist go out and make it happen, Made In Americana is a night for all those lovers of the American ‘sound’ who are starved of opportunities to enjoy their passion live. Taking place at The Monkey, Swansea, Made In Americana promises to be the best night of its kind outside of London.

Americana has no imitators. This is because it is an eclectic and fluid genre, concerning itself with a state of consciousness rather than a style, or sound. As a genre, it is a hybrid beast, taking its character from Country, Blues and Folk, and turning those influences into lyric based songs which continue the great American tradition. Whether the outcome is pop, indie or more stripped down in singer song writer fashion, Americana is synonymous with intelligent and articulate compositions. Its audience spans all ages, but the common factor is an admiration for words and finely crafted songs.

Made In Americana will kick off on Wednesday May 07 in grand fashion. It will be a great pleasure to host the inimitable Tift Merritt. A native of North Carolina, Tift has been hailed by Uncut as the greatest American song writer to emerge in the last decade. She is, without doubt, a significant artist, and, in my opinion, the night will be even more special because Tift will be performing acoustically.

If we have recovered from our inaugural experience, then on Thursday May 22 we will be entertained by8 piece Boston band The Young Republic. Recently relocated to Nashville, their music is intelligent, angular, yet full of pathos. A band for students of the heart every where!

A week later, on Thursday May 29, we are thrilled to welcome Canada’s finest blues guitarist Matt Andersen. Matt has a reputation, which has gained him critical acclaim, as a phenomenal live performer. By the end of 2008’s festival season, Matt will be hot news.

 In June will come Jeremy S Gluck of The Barracudas fame, who we are delighted to say will be launching his latest album at our night.

Christene Ledoux will also be appearing in June as part of her never ending tour of the globe. This song writer and story teller is renowned for her tales of small town American life……Americana, indeed!

July will be a special month for Made In Americana at The Monkey. Of course Independence Day falls in July, and as our contribution to all things good about America we will host Kim Richey and Elizabeth Cook. Both these women occupy an unique niche in the musical consciousness, and both have wonderful music pedigrees.

Sunday July 13 Kim Richey, one of Nashville’s finest song writers will be demonstrating why over two decades she has collaborated with some of the Americana’s most famous sons and daughters. Kim has penned a Number 1 for Trisha Yearwood and had hits with Mary Chapin Carpenter, Vince Gill and Joan Osborne, amongst others. Her latest album, Chinese Boxes, produced by George Martin’s son Giles, is a pop gem, and more and more people are now discovering not just the great song collaborator and writer, but the performer with the velvet voice behind the songs. Kim Richey will provide Monkey with a wonderful night.

Wednesday July 23 Elizabeth Cook. Make way for the real deal. Southerner Elizabeth’s dad has done time for moonshining! Gladly, this will not be her lasting claim to fame. Elizabeth Cook’s album ‘Balls’ was nominated for Best Album at 2007’s Americana Awards and arrives with a plethora of critical praise for her interpretation of New Country. She writes with a traditional sound ( her voice is a mix of Loretta Lyn and Lucinda Williams ), but delivers wry pop songs, that twist and turn on great melodic hooks! She is a fine lyricist and observer of the music scene and relationships. Expect to see a star on the rise.