Emmett Morris is not the first veteran of hardcorepunk (you may know Morris as the guitarist of throwback hardcore act Wild Side) who becomes a creator of country music. It is more common that you’d perhaps expect. Despite the stark sonic differences between these genres, their cultural roots intertwine, both emphasizing authenticity, championing underdogs, and narrating everyday challenges. But while most punk artists keep it simple when they switch to country or americana – a guitar and a gravelly voice, will go a long way thank you very much, Emmett Morris plays old school country with a full band, making the contrast much starker.
Listening to his new EP Emerald, I am pretty sure Emmett Morris has country music in his genetic makeup. He sounds like one of country’s brightest stars on the four songs. This is country nostalgia that rocks, and is fully authentic yet easy on the ears. Pedal Steel? Check! Organ? Check! As good a reason I can think of to re-embrace often overlooked country tag on our site.
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