“One road is ending, another road begins, come on let’s do it over again” - A Different Thread
Some things are just meant to be. Alicia Best (US) and Robert Jackson (UK) met while busking on the cobbled streets of Ireland and discovered both a musical and personal harmony that was serendipitous. In the decade since forming A Different Thread, Best and Jackson have taken their act on the road, touring over a dozen countries, supporting artists such as The Milk Carton Kids and Jody Stephens (Big Star), and garnering critical praise from the likes of Folk Radio UK, which hailed the duo as “warm, deep songwriters that have drank from the well of 20th century tradition.”
Their new album, Over Again (out May 1st 26’), was written during a period of transition, marked by their arrival stateside and a solar eclipse. Recording began in their tiny home studio, continued in Sylvan Esso's Betty's (The Mountain Goats, Watchhouse), and finished at Alma Vale Studio (Phantom Limb/Yola, Elles Bailey) in the UK.
Their sound is transcontinental, blending Jackson's British folk rock background with Best's North Carolina-bred alt-country melodies. Informed by their life experiences (navigating visas, vanlife, love across oceans) and liberal commentary on both environmental and social justice topics, the album mixes electric guitars with Appalachian dulcimer, gospel-tinged vocals with honky-tonk fiddle. While inspired by artists like Gillian Welch, The Avett Brothers, and John Prine, A Different Thread maintain a distinct sound that is all their own.
Alicia and Robert see the creation of Over Again as a testament to the power that music has to heal and transform: “For us, this album marks a new beginning—like a rebirth—as we shed negative cycles to work towards a brighter future.”
Blending roots, rock, folk, and a dash of mountain soul, Chill E Mammoth is an Americana band from North Carolina known for their dynamic performances and rich, harmony-driven sound. Their music carries the warmth of Southern front-porch jams and the energy of a late-night festival set, creating a style that’s both grounded in tradition and refreshingly modern.
Charlie Fisher drives the band’s creative spirit as a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, pulling from influences like The Avett Brothers, Caamp, and The Grateful Dead. His playing shifts effortlessly between rhythm guitar, upright bass, and anything else the music calls for—always with an infectious energy that keeps audiences moving.
On fiddle and viola, Alexa Rose Sanfilippo adds a soaring, melodic edge. With a background that includes classical training, performances across the U.S. and Europe, and tours with Texas country and bluegrass groups, she brings both precision and fire to the Mammoth sound.
Completing the trio, Andrew Payseur weaves the threads of Appalachian tradition with modern Americana, showcasing his affinity for guitar, clawhammer banjo, mandolin, and upright bass. From festival stages like Merlefest to intimate porch sessions, Andrew’s versatility gives the band its rootsy depth and rhythmic drive.
Together, Chill E Mammoth crafts music that’s heartfelt, adventurous, and unmistakably their own—songs that feel like open highways, starry nights, and good stories waiting to be told.
You may also like the following events from Huron Stage Music Venue:
- This Sunday, 14th September, 03:30 pm, Live @ Huron Stage: Jimmy Thrasher & The Ginger Biscuits in Durham
- Next Saturday, 20th September, 05:30 pm, Live @ The Huron Stage: Supermutt, Berry Bueno Brigade, Dissimilar South in Durham
- This month, 27th September, 05:30 pm, Live @ Huron Stage: Cool Cool Mountain, Eric Lindquist, Kara Myree & Spencer Scholes in Durham
Also check out other
Music events in Durham,
Entertainment events in Durham,
Festivals in Durham.
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