Austin Lucas

“It would be tragic if all music fans weren’t exposed to music of this quality and originality.” (American Roots UK)

The son of a bluegrass musician, with an arm full of tattoos, a choir-honed voice and a knack for tuneful melodies, Indiana-based singer-songwriter Austin Lucas has been credited with re-defining Americana in his native USA. And he will be visiting Old Portsmouth's Square Tower as part of his current European tour in support of his new album “Between The Moon & The Midwest”.

Raised in the backwoods country of Monroe County and born into a folk and bluegrass lineage, Lucas rebelled against his upbringing leaving his Americana roots for the catharsis of punk rock, only to hit a musical glass ceiling and eventually finding respite for his ringing ears in the delicacy of traditional songcraft.

No one ever said americana / country music had to be simple, and when Austin Lucas began thinking about the follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2013 album “Stay Reckless” he had a lot on his mind. The Indiana troubadour wanted to do something not only different from his own work, but unlike anything else being done in the realm of country music and Americana. “Between The Moon And The Midwest” marries traditional & cosmic country sounds with sharp, vivid storytelling in a fully realised album concept.

Singing with the conviction of a preacher bereft of his faith, Lucas tackles recurrent themes of the soul, sin as personal purgatory, and the possibility of finding redemption in this life.

Having raised his Stateside profile by touring with country legend Willie Nelson, Lucas has also bolstered his loyal grassroots following with appearances at all of the major US roots festivals as well as several European tours.

Folk music is for the common folk, and Lucas delivers, often ending his shows playing on the floor amidst the crowd.