Stick In The Wheel
Album: EP1
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 4
Website: http://www.stickinthewheel.com

Stick In The Wheel is a (perhaps London-based?) trio who specify they're "folk singers not singers of folk songs" - and yet the first track of this their first EP is a gleefully rustic reworking of the traditional "three sisters" folk ballad that crops up everywhere. No matter, for it sets out their stall with distinctive and strong female vocals (Nicola and Rachel), super harmonies and way-better-than-effective instrumentation (add Ian) - resonator guitar, fiddle, and I think there's also an autoharp at one point. The remaining three songs are originals (I think), and fine ones too, inhabiting roughly the contemporary indie-oldtime-Americana domain with beauty, presence and attitude, tho' not really like anyone else I can readily pinpoint at present (namechecking Wailin' Jennys or Roches or Crooked Still or Po' Girl might prove more of a distraction than a help).

Stick In The Wheel admit, on their rather skimpy, pithy and sparsely-populated website: "we couldn't find anyone to make the music we like to hear so we made it ourselves". Great credo, but… there really ain't enough here, neither in the way of decent information (there's no biog anywhere, not even full names given for band members), nor of actual music (this EP plays for under ten minutes in total). (Ain't this taking minimalism too far?) But what there is, is bloody good, and I want to hear more - much more. Get back to yer kitchens, guys, and give us more - and soon…!

David Kidman