The Honeycutters
Asheville, North Carolina, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Amanda Anne Platt is easily one of the best songwriters coming out of Western NC these days, and she really needs to be discovered by the national Americana world. Her moving delivery, accompanied by Pete James’ tasteful guitar work and harmonies, make The Honeycutters an act that really should not be missed. We can’t stop playing their CD “Irene” here at WNCW!
- WNCW
Speaking of Honky tonks, the Honeycutters are back with their newest effort, Irene. If anyone can make this old metalhead want to whip out the cowboy boots and hat, order a couple of Budweisers and spin my woman around the dance floor, the Honeycutters can. Straddling the common fence between country and Americana, Irene is chock full of mid-tempo, boot-scuffin' numbers, as well as a few ballads that Loretta Lynn or Patsy Cline might have wished they'd recorded. Vocalist and guitarist Amanda Platt has obviously grown up listening to the country and Americana music greats, and yet has a sound all her own, using an honest but sweet and twangless delivery more along the lines of the contemporary than of the old-school country pioneers. Peter James' seamless, low harmonies buoy Platt's airy, lilting voice, creating a solid vocal palette which combines flawlessly with some really evocative guitar and dobro melodies. The album's lyrics are full of wisdom and truth and a bittersweet acceptance of things gone wrong. It's not "cry in your beer" music, but it is introspective and touching and has moments of that classic dry country humor- "I try to be a better woman/but you make it so damn hard." Exceptionally crafted songs and fantastic musicianship (especially the mandolin work of SPencer Taylor and the fiddle stylings of Ben Riva) make this a must hear for just about anyone. Whether you're in a dancing mood or in a more solitary or nostalgic frame of mind, Irene has something for you. - Bold Life Magazine
Discography
Irene, 2009
When Bitter Met Sweet, 2012
Photos
Bio
In a world that is becoming increasingly digitalized and impersonal, the Honeycutters are building a reputation based on live performance and songs that tend to stick with you. Their first full length studio release "Irene" (May '09) has landed them in Iaan Hughes' (No Depression Podcast) top twenty of 2009, Fret Knot Radio Hour's "Nine you need to know from '09", and number 32 in WNCW's listener voted top 100. Since putting out that first album the Honeycutters have shared the stage with such Americana favorites as Tony Rice, The Steep Canyon Rangers, The Seldom Scene, and more. Singer/songwriter Amanda Anne Platt has been hailed as "one of the best songwriters coming out of WNC these days" by WNCW programming director Martin Anderson, and her voice has been described as "perfectly unadorned" and "recklessly beautiful". Lead guitarist and Producer Peter James compliments Platt's vocals with seamless harmonies and tasteful instrumentation. Tal Taylor on mandolin, Ian Harrod on bass, and Jon Ashley on the drums effortlessly round out the Honeycutters sound, creating an original brand of americana that has proved equally appealing to both the musician and the music lover, the country and the city, and the old and the young. They are currently making plans for the release of their sophomore album.
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