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Why do UK artists try and sing with an american accent...

The oldest ones the best for kickstarting a forum...

after all if some plonker in Wisconsin started singing like The Watersons it wouldn't make sense surely?? OH shite they just did anybody heard Fleet Foxes by the way...so is cultural authenticity only as valid as your ipod music these days?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Andy on March 10, 2009 at 11:43am

They don't all do that.

Permalink Reply by Mr Plow on March 10, 2009 at 11:52am

I spose if Wisconsin man wanted to sing Anglicana then he'd come over all Watersons. If there such a genre as Anglicana? If there isn't then I've just invented it ...

Permalink Reply by Shaun Belcher on March 10, 2009 at 12:35pm

yup didn't young Ms Carthy have an album called Anglicana (sounds like a church) and then there is Eurocana which even worse;-)

Permalink Reply by Mr Plow on March 11, 2009 at 7:18am

Other people always seem to invent stuff before I've invented it. Not fair.

Permalink Reply by lazyranchhand on March 10, 2009 at 11:53am

I think it just suits the genre. I mean, white guys sing blues like black guys don't they? White kids rap using black slang, etc...

Permalink Reply by Pierre on March 10, 2009 at 12:24pm

I agree, I think there's also a rhythmic element to it. English English has more enunciated vowel sounds and I think the American, particularly Southern, drawl just fits better.

In other genres the vocals are stylised, metal singers don't talk to their mums in a screech or a growl.

If you're going to play your instruments in a certain style, why not sing in it too.

I think people get too hung up on authenticity. Music is a performance, sometimes that means putting on an accent. Even the Americans do it.

Permalink Reply by Folkwit Records on March 10, 2009 at 12:27pm

I'm racking my brains to think of a US singer that's tried to do a Brit and can only come up with Dick Van Dyke!

Permalink Reply by Shaun Belcher on March 10, 2009 at 12:36pm

Gawd and lummy yer the geezer an no mistake guv

Permalink Reply by Shaun Belcher on March 10, 2009 at 12:38pm

I'm not sure if I know what accent I try and (non) sing in..pobably a mix of Richard Thompson and Tom Russell in my head but comes out sounding like Kenney Everitt crossed with Lou Costello...could explain the lack of Sony A & R at my last gig..that and fact it was in a damp cave at back of a council estate:-)

Permalink Reply by Shaun Belcher on March 10, 2009 at 12:39pm

Lately there been a rash of Sedish and Dutch acts that sound more American than the Americans....so maybe T.V. to blame.....

Permalink Reply by Folkwit Records on March 10, 2009 at 12:51pm

Yes, globalisation etc...I personally like to hear a Scandanavian accent. I reckon we Brits are easily influenced though...Steve McClaren...nuff said!

Permalink Reply by country danny on March 12, 2009 at 3:46pm

I've got no real problem with a US lilt or even a slight Southern drawl when your singing songs with an 'American theme or style'. Whatever works best for the song. Probably best to leave it out in between numbers though....