#dexeter

[ithisatanytime]

(Dexeter)

[countryandtheisland-blog]

An interview with Did Coles (Dexeter)

Dexeter are an unsigned UK country band described by Bob Harris as “a country Fleetwood Mac”. I spoke to guitarist Did Coles for this interview, who has been with the band for the last 18 months.

Dexeter

Coles is primarily a rock musician who started seriously listening to country around age 19, confiding he liked the “pop side” of Shania Twain’s 1997 ‘Come On Over’ album. “I love the simplicity and the actual storytelling of it” he responded when asked what attracts him to country music. The song writing for country music is unique in it’s honesty and as Coles said, simplicity, quoting the late country scribe Harlan Howe, “Country music is three chords and the truth”. Coles stated that country has a “universal appeal” due to it’s relatability and this beautiful yet simplistic quality of country music is likely what draws UK musicians in.

Much like others I have interviewed, Coles stressed the importance of British country musicians not writing in the shadow of American writers: “They’re singing about trucks and whiskey and cowgirls and they’re driving on the M1”. Discourse surrounding authenticity seems to have a collective response that although some UK acts attempt it, it shouldn’t be done. As I mentioned, Coles talked about the honesty of country music which is completely lost if musicians begin to write about things they truthfully have no experience in, as it undermines a vital ingredient in country music.

“I think people like to put things in boxes”, Coles responded when I asked whether UK country could become its own genre. “It could be a separate thing,” he continued, but he went on to describe country music like a “family”, suggesting that typical Americana country and British country don’t have to, in fact, exist in different circles. All country music is derived from the same thing country fans love, and diversity usually enriches a genre. I rather liked Did’s idea of country music being a family, as it calls back to the storytelling and honesty he mentioned earlier, and a significant theme in country music will always be family and the home.

Further to this, he described country fans in the UK as “some of the most dedicated music fans in any music scene”. “They are so loyal, in terms of support, attendance and even social media,” says Coles. This is recurring feedback that I have been receiving from those involved in UK country music.: the fans here are passionate and supportive on another level. Perhaps it’s because, as Coles tells me, “there’s not a lot of separation between the artists and the fans” which creates a feeling of community and togetherness that I’ve experienced first-hand. Though it’s not as popular as it is in the States, country music in the UK has a loyal following of people who really care about the music “of all ages”. “Teenagers are getting into country because of the TV programme (CMT Nashville) but also an older generation who would have grown up on Dolly and Johnny Cash. They want to be part of the reinvention”. “Reinvention” possibly alluding to the new age of British country fans who were made aware of country music from “Taylor Swift [bringing] it to the limelight” and the many others who followed in her wake. “There’s a lot of Nashville artists that are here now in the UK because they love it over here,” said Coles. He also advised actually against going to “blazing hub” Nashville as it presents serious competition in the industry “unless you play on the whole English thing” – using your accent and British mannerisms to your advantage.

Coles is under the impression that “there’s a lot more chance” to be here in the UK and pursue country, due to our naturally smaller industry. He did namecheck Bob Harris (from Bob Harris Country on Radio 2), stating “he’s been great to us”.

[phillystock]

Slow it Down Songwriters: Dexeter Performed by: Dexeter Album: Somewhere to Run Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ Dexeter are one of the stand out British bands who played at Yeehaw festival this weekend. Their blend of pop-country is focused around Dee's vocals and the simple, yet emotive lyrics. Slow it down is their latest single, and how far this band have come since their Country to Country performance is evident. The band are not overtly country, they describe themselves as Americana, but their instrumentation hints at the country genre. The upright bass, and steel guitar licks, combined with the close harmonies create a sound that is distinguishably 'Dexeter.' Slow It Down captures the feeling of a new relationship, and it is immediately relatable. The lyrics are of their time, they are modern, and the imagery is vivid: 'Keep checking my phone to see it's working fine;' with these simple words they have captured the essence of a modern relationship. Dexeter have swiftly become one of the top UK country acts to watch. Their latest single, 'Slow it Down,' is a shining example of the genre, and an exciting start to the much anticipated full album, Somewhere to Run, to be released in March. See an interview with Dexeter here: http://phillystockmusic.com/2014/07/06/dexeter-interview/

[believeinnashville]

Dexeter and their part in UK Country Music.

The UK country scene is constantly growing thanks to the newly found support from mainstream media such as BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris and the TV show Nashville. This means that many great new artists from the UK are being brought to our attention, as you’ve probably noticed from previous posts. We were lucky enough to catch up with one of them, Dexeter, at a recent show and find out more about their musical influences, playing Country 2 Country and their future plans.

Comprised of Deeanne and Gareth plus a crazy talented band, they are the definition of pure UK country. With Gareth writing all the songs for the group, they are original, interesting and exactly what’s been missing from the UK country scene. Previously being part of various other heavy metal bands, Gareth has plenty of experience with performance and being a musician in general. The original plan for the band was to find a female vocalist to record Gareth’s songs so he could pursue his career in songwriting but the band eventually decided to take on the industry together. Not long after this, the opportunity arose for the group to play a set on the pop-up stage at London’s O2 arena for the UK’s largest country music festival, ‘Country 2 Country’. Prior to their appearance at UK country festival, the band had played the grand total of three shows live together and the change to a country music sound had really, only just happened.

The band cite Lady Antebellum, The Band Perry and Rascal Flatts as some of their favourite artists, meaning that they naturally take on a current country/rock sound that’s ever present on the Nashville scene. They’re modern with all the talent of more traditional country artists and this is only the start for them.

Live is when the band really come to life. It’s rare to find a new band with so much chemistry and stage presence whilst being able to maintain the raw essence of their sound. Catching them in a festival setting meant we witnessed Dexeter gain a positive reaction from non country fans, something that is really admirable and shows how far they could go. They performed six songs in total including a cover of country queen Dolly Parton’s hit ‘Jolene’ and their brand new single ‘Slow it Down’, for the first time. Having a completely live band is admirable in this day and age and made them contrast greatly to the rest of the acts that we saw that day. It also again shows how hardworking and determined these guys are in terms of making their individual sound is heard and is heard well.

Ever present on social media, you can find these guys on their twitter, Facebook and website. Twitter has helped them really establish their name, something that their six thousand followers really proves. (ALSO, note that one of these followers is Lady A. HUGE deal.) Their social media presence has allowed them to build relationships with other UK artists and blogs with the group considering a tour with other UK country artists including Hannah Jane Lewis (who they’re definitely playing gigs with, you can find dates HERE) later this year. Their support for other emerging artists and increasing the country music scene in the UK is admirable, especially when we’ve witnessed first hand how difficult it can be on this side of the pond.

UK guys and girls, we can almost guarantee that Dexeter will be playing a show near you soon and you definitely won’t want to miss it. Not only insanely talented, they’re also some of the nicest people on the circuit at the moment and so passionate about the progression of this genre we all love.

You can watch the video for their new single ‘Slow it Down’ here!

ALSO, the band plan on releasing an album on March 2nd 2015 with a Pledge campaign on the way to make this happen so be on the look out for that!

The BelieveInNashville Team xo