Gig -Rod Picott

If you ever went to one of the gigs put on by Mike Lance in the Greys in Brighton (Georgie Fame, Tiny Tim, PP Arnold, John Otway…) you might be surprised to find that his latest venue is the marquee at the Anchor, in Barcombe Mills. An unusual setting, and one which caused him problems when the first band, Stewboss, an alt.country combo from LA, arrived. “They were amazed at the setting,” he says, “and before I knew it they were off down the river in a rowing boat they’d hired.” Mike was furious: the band should have been doing a sound check and the gig started half an hour late. Great anecdote, though.

Tonight another Stateside artist is playing, Rod Picott, one of the most respected country singer-songwriters in Nashville, Tennessee, who has come with a stellar line-up. “Singer-songwriters go through different phases; it just so happens the best sort at the moment are wearing cowboy hats and big leather boots,” says Mike, who will mainly be putting on alt.country, Americana and bluegrass bands on his fortnightly slot at the Anchor. “Country music is a living music, unlike blues,” he continues. “It lives in its time. It’s closer to rap, than blues.” Picott, whose three LP’s have met with huge critical acclaim, is famed for his gravelly voice and inter-song patter and has, inevitably, been compared to Tom Waits. Should be a cracking gig: fortunately for Mike, the boating season is coming to a close. DL

Listen to Rod Picott