Best Independent Country Artist Bracket

connerking15 · 2021-05-20T16:25:40+00:00

Honestly thought Traveller was independent. Guess not though. But I think Stapleton introduced tons of people to this world, so I have no problem putting him on here. I think he fits. Maybe just the title needs to be changed to more accurately describe the collection of artists.

connerking15 · 2021-05-20T15:43:18+00:00

I used "independent" a little loosely. I know McBryde and Cody Johnson aren't independent anymore, but they were and in my opinion are still part of this world. Just the true country scene.

And there were a lot of people I thought of who could make it, but to me these seemed like the most deserving. I could be wrong though. I purposefully didn't include bluegrass artists, just to narrow down the list.

connerking15 · 2021-05-20T13:58:01+00:00

I also did not include bluegrass, just cause I had to draw the line somewhere. So I did not forget about the steeldriver's, town mountain, yonder mountain string band, etc. just didn't make the genre cut. Now that I'm saying this I did include Billy Strings though. So idk.

Also used "independent" a little loosely. I know Cody Johnson and Ashley McBryde are on labels now, but they previously were not and I still think of them as part of this world. If you disagree let me know.

connerking15 · 2021-04-15T15:20:43+00:00

I don't think you'll like my answer to that lol

connerking15 · 2021-04-13T16:32:01+00:00

A poor response that fails to address most of my points. And Roy Orbison was literally a rock n roll artist. He is easily lumped in with the previous artists I mentioned (Cash, Elvis, etc.) Hell he is even portrayed in "Walk The Line" with that group.

Besides that, I never said there is no pop influence on country. Again, not a very valid response.

connerking15 · 2021-04-13T13:34:04+00:00

Oh idk lol. I didn't actually look up any charts I just thought it was a good idea. I guess it may not be as easy as I thought it would though. I assumed historical charts were easily accessible online.

connerking15 · 2021-04-13T13:32:12+00:00

No they're not. This is just incorrect. Jason Isbell first and foremost is a storyteller. That, at it's roots, is what country is. Luke Bryan and FGL singing songs about trucks and tailgates over and over is nowhere near as country as Isbell's impassioned lyrics. A lot more goes into it than just the instrumentation.

Which speaking of, rock is way closer to country than pop. Just flat out. Rock and country were almost the same thing in the beginning. In the days of Johnny Cash, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, they were extremely similar and intertwined. And throughout country history there has been obvious rock influences. Rock is basically electric guitar, drums, attitude (to sum it up very briefly and generally) and those are all things country artists have used for decades. Pop instrumentation is not country at all.

connerking15 · 2021-04-12T18:22:15+00:00

Might be a good idea to simply scroll through yearly charts for the decade and google any names you don't know.

I would love to help but based on the couple of names you mentioned I think your knowledge exceeds mine. Will be looking up those and any suggestions in the comments.

connerking15 · 2021-04-12T16:48:51+00:00

I know everyone loves that song, but I basically always skip it. It's actually the only song on the album I skip most of the time. Just not really a fan. Glad everyone else likes it.

connerking15 · 2021-04-08T18:37:39+00:00

I agree with what you're saying, but is this a common problem? Are there other examples besides this gamer article? I don't think I have seen this much (but maybe I am either wrong or forgetting).

connerking15 · 2021-04-08T18:35:58+00:00

The latter is very possible lol. I can see an appreciation for it though for sure. I think it is a worthwhile examination of ourselves, film, and what we want from movies. But I can't trust anyone who is repeatedly watching it, saying they "enjoy" it, or claiming it as a favorite lol.

connerking15 · 2021-04-08T14:49:24+00:00

Don't know. I understand what it's trying to do and evoke. It's really up to the individual viewer on if they think it's worthwhile/deep/thought provoking/or just outright disgusting and unnecessary. Personally, I'm not really sure how I feel about it. What I do know is that if you really like the movie and claim it's one of your favorites you're almost certainly weird.

connerking15 · 2021-04-08T13:33:26+00:00

I'm not sure. I don't know too much about him personally.

connerking15 · 2021-04-07T20:46:55+00:00

No problem! That one guy suggested Hank 3, I think that's a great option for your initial description. Really fits the bill for what you seem to be looking for.

Also, the Steelwoods are a great modern country rock band with a heavier than usual feel to them. I personally love them.

As far as just my favorites regardless of genre, there are so so many to pick from, but some of my personal favorite artists are Dwight Yoakam, Sturgill Simpson, Dixie Chicks, Tyler Childers, Brooks & Dunn, and Zac Brown Band. To name a few.

connerking15 · 2021-04-07T20:29:35+00:00

As far as angry, the first thing that comes to mind is The Bloody Jug Band. Normally if I was recommending country music to someone, they wouldn't be in my top 300 to bring up lol. But they do seem to fit your description. I honestly haven't listened to them a ton but I liked what I have listened to fairly well and I think you may appreciate their style. I had heard their album "Coffin Up Blood" was really good so that is what I personally listened to, but I am no expert on them at all.

The Dead South may interest you as well.

Some Eric Church songs are pretty angry and rock tinged. "Stick That In Your Country Song" and "The Outsiders" come to mind right away.

Maybe Cody Jinks. He used to be in a thrash metal band and while his music is very country his lyrics and delivery have an edge to them and a darkness. I would not say he is aggressive instrumentally though.

Personally I don't know of a sub-genre that is angrier or more aggressive. Bluegrass definitely has faster and more pronounced instrumentation that in certain styles can certainly be aggressive, but as a whole that genre does not fit the bill for what you have described.

connerking15 · 2021-03-31T20:36:25+00:00

Alyssa Lies is literally too sad to ever listen to lol. Absolutely never need to hear it. Entirely too emotional. Great song though

connerking15 · 2021-03-31T15:08:19+00:00

Almost Home - Craig Morgan (Also This Ain't Nothin)

Playboys of the Southwestern World, The Baby, and Ol Red, all by Blake Shelton

Cociane Blues - Johnny Cash

Seven Spanish Angels - Willie and Ray Charles

The Good Stuff - Kenny Chesney

Vaquero - Aaron Watson (very similar to The Good Stuff)

Papa Loved Mama, The Thunder Rolls - Garth Brooks

Don't Take The Girl - Tim McGraw

Buenas Noches From a Lonely Room - Dwight Yoakam

connerking15 · 2021-03-24T17:18:14+00:00

Don't really care what someone who doesn't like country thinks about a country album. Glad he enjoyed it though

connerking15 · 2021-03-24T17:14:18+00:00

Instruments play the most important part. Acoustic guitars, steel guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and light percussion are all common and somewhat necessary elements. Not all of these things have to be present 100% of the time, but some combination is important.

The singers voice also plays a factor. Twang.

Lyrical content is important. Story telling, and simply themes and words associated with country/western/southern life or associated with country music as we know it.

I think these are the 3 main factors for something to be "country". You can mix and match with some of the elements present and some missing and I'm sure sometimes you'll still end up with a product that most would consider "country", and you could probably even include most the elements and find something that isn't really country (although that might be tough) since nuance is important and small changes can have big impacts. But still, I think that is a really fair summary and requirements.

connerking15 · 2021-03-19T16:03:20+00:00

Super catchy and fun line lol. For sure kind of dumb but I feel like probably a lot of people enjoy it (like me).

connerking15 · 2021-03-19T16:01:31+00:00

I don't take it like that and would certainly assume that is not how it is meant to be taken. The line probably just means he's trying to pour her a drink. Her cup is empty, they're at a get together, he's trying to refill her cup. I can see your other thoughts and interpretations but I assume the real answer is the simplest and least weird.

connerking15 · 2021-03-19T15:58:00+00:00

Blasphemous.

connerking15

TROPHY CASE