A Different Thread

British/American duo, 'A Different Thread' delivers an intoxicating amalgamation of Beatlesque folk rock meets Gillian Welch dark country.

From the rolling hills of Staffordshire to the Appalachian Mountains, A Different Thread’s original songs are inspired by the music that has crisscrossed the Atlantic Ocean over the generations in true folk fashion. Robert Jackson (from Staffordshire, England) and Alicia Best (from North Carolina, USA) first met two years ago while busking in Galway, Ireland. They didn't know each other's names, all they knew was that their voices fit together like missing pieces of the same puzzle. Their chance meeting sparked a musical journey across the UK, Europe, the US and even to Guatemala and back; touring and living on the road while cultivating their own unique blend of country, blues and folk, or as they call it: British-Americana.

After wining first prize in a competition at Shrewsbury Folk Festival in 2017, the band made a UK splash this year performing on one of the festival’s main stages. On their recent US tour they were featured on NPR’s: The State of Things with Frank Stasio (WUNC) and the Blue Plate Special in Knoxville TN. They are about to self-release their debut album: 'On A Whim' produced by North Carolina Native: Jeff Crawford (Mandolin Orange, Mipso, Josh Moore, Skylar Gudasz). The record features session players from the North Carolina 'Triangle' area including Omar Ruiz-Lopez (Violet Bell) and Rusty Smith (Four Tops, The Temptations).

This Fall they are leaping back over the pond for their official release show at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro NC, and what looks to be another sell out show at the Isis Music Hall in Asheville as part of their ‘On A Whim’ tour.

"Nothing short of intoxicating” - Hits In The Sticks

“These guys sound like a mature bottle of wine” - Claire Cavanagh, BBC Radio Bristol

"It certainly touched my heart” - Sam Bonham, BBC 6 Music