Gothic Americana/ Alt-Country/ Dark Cabaret

Carpe Mortem · 03-12-2014, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoathsomePete

You're not going to find a band that sounds similar to 16 Horsepower. They have a style and sound that is pretty much completely unique to them. Closest thing you'll find is David Eugene Edwards' solo project Wovenhand, but if 16 HP was heroin then I'd liken Wovehand more to methadone, similar to what you're use to, but just not the same.

I'm open to a slightly different style, and I did like the music/tempo/dark vibe I found on those artists I mentioned hating. I'm just having trouble finding vocals either along the lines of DEE or deep and gravelly, a la Tom Waits.

LoathsomePete · 03-12-2014, 01:31 PM

If you want Tom Waits style vocals you should check out The Peculiar Pretzelmen, although they're more of a cabaret act.

16 Horsepower, again, are hard to replicate, and I think most bands know that. Not only that, but the band never really thought of themselves as a country group. While their influences obviously include bluegrass, country, and traditional folk, DEE has stated in multiple interviews that Joy Division, Nick Cave, The Gun Club, and The Birthday Party are also their influences. I think it's safe to say that many of the other bands that fall under this genre are more influenced by country acts like Hank Williams Sr., Johnny Cash, Red Foley, and Bill Monroe, and as such they will adopt singing and playing styles similar to those musicians.

I think you should go through the "Denver Sound" artists, which is basically just a moniker for a collective group of musicians who were all doing variants on the same thing in the late '80's through to the present day. They're all more or less linked together by guest spots, shared musicians, and friendship, and they include Jay Munly, Slim Cessna's Auto Club, Lillium (solo project of 16 HP bass player Pascal Humbert), Tarantella (which features members from SCAC), The Denver Gentlemen (which more or less features everyone, including DEE), etc.

But again, nothing is going to sound precisely like 16 HP, but I think the bands from Denver are your best bet.

For gravely vocals, you'll probably have better luck with Outlaw country bands.

03-12-2014, 01:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	If you want Tom Waits style vocals you should check out The Peculiar Pretzelmen, although they're more of a cabaret act. 16 Horsepower, again, are hard to replicate, and I think most bands know that. Not only that, but the band never really thought of themselves as a country group. While their influences obviously include bluegrass, country, and traditional folk, DEE has stated in multiple interviews that Joy Division, Nick Cave, The Gun Club, and The Birthday Party are also their influences. I think it's safe to say that many of the other bands that fall under this genre are more influenced by country acts like Hank Williams Sr., Johnny Cash, Red Foley, and Bill Monroe, and as such they will adopt singing and playing styles similar to those musicians. I think you should go through the "Denver Sound" artists, which is basically just a moniker for a collective group of musicians who were all doing variants on the same thing in the late '80's through to the present day. They're all more or less linked together by guest spots, shared musicians, and friendship, and they include Jay Munly, Slim Cessna's Auto Club, Lillium (solo project of 16 HP bass player Pascal Humbert), Tarantella (which features members from SCAC), The Denver Gentlemen (which more or less features everyone, including DEE), etc. But again, nothing is going to sound precisely like 16 HP, but I think the bands from Denver are your best bet. For gravely vocals, you'll probably have better luck with Outlaw country bands. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too