Events

[COUNTRY] Hailing from nearby Columbus, Lydia Loveless is the country crossover artist a lot of folks have been waiting for. It’s about passion and attitude: Loveless is the antithesis of the bland turn commercial country took in its bid to be America’s favorite (and most profitable) genre. Instead, she serves up her brutally honest songs in a cow-punk context with honky-tonk flair that blends the emotional earnestness of old school country with balls-to-the-wall rock and roll. It’s a “fool me once” story: her 2010 debut, recorded at the age of 15 and released at 20, ended up with a slick production she hadn’t intended. Since then she’s cultivated an uncompromisingly edgy sound that the folks at Bloodshot Records have been more than happy to release as-is. Loveless and her band (including bassist/hubby Ben Lamb) were here last summer opening for Iron and Wine at Canalside, supporting 2014’s Somewhere Else. She’s currently the topic of a working documentary project, which will include the making of her new album. If you like soaring female vocals, enjoy some punk attitude with your earthy twang, and prefer your music without a smothering of digital bullshit, check this out. Loveless plays Thursday, November 5 at Sportsmen’s Tavern with Canada’s Elliot Brood—a jangly trio that’s won a Juno Award and loads of critical accolades for its Neil Young-inspired Americana.