The Lonetones are an acclaimed East Tennessee band with three albums to their credit. They play original, Appalachian, roots-based music that goes well beyond the "tradition." They've been called modern folk, Americana, folk rock, mountain pop, folkadelic…
In their early years, they were often compared to revivalists such as Iris Dement or Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. But in more recent years, they have also drawn comparisons to rock bands such as Wilco & Belle and Sebastian. As they have grown as artists, their sound has become a unique mix of folk, rock, country and pop elements.
Wayne Bledsoe of the Knoxville News Sentinel says “I have no idea what to call The Lonetones. They’re acoustic musicians who don’t always play acoustic. They’re folk musicians with a love of modern psychedelia. Whatever they are, they’re great!”
Both the band’s lyrics and music speak to the conflicted nature of a region steeped in tradition while blighted by Walmarts and stripmines. They speak to generational conflicts and the inner struggles of those whose hearts and souls are tied to the mountains but also want to be set free.
Bradley Hanson of Knoxville Voice writes that “their music rings from the mountains of Appalachia with a reverent, enduring and, at times, conflicted spirit. The band mates shoulder their geography with craft and care.”
At the center of the band are married couple Steph Gunnoe (guitar and vocals) and Sean McCollough (banjo, mandolin, guitar, keys and vocals). They are backed by the strong rhythm section of Maria Williams (bass and vocals) and Steve Corrigan (drums and glockenspiel).
They have opened for Sam Bush, the Carolina Chocolate Drops and The Amazing Rhythm Aces, among others, and have played at Bristol Rhythm and Roots, the WDVX Camperfest, The Atlantis Music Conference, Americana Crossroads Live, The Bijou Theatre in Knoxville and the famous Blue Bird Cafe in Nashville.
They have had songs appear on several compilation CDs including, most recently, a CD called Still Moving Mountains that includes notable acts such as Kathy Mattea, Blue Highway, Del McCoury, and Everett Lilly.
They have had albums appear on several top-10 lists. Their most recent album, Canaries, appeared on several in 2009 including Wayne Bledsoe's ofThe Knoxville News Sentinel and DJ boBee Sweet's at KDHX in St. Louis MO.
Though their sound has changed over the years, they can still pull out some foot-stompin old-time music while also pushing the boundaries of what it means to play “mountain” music in this modern age.
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