Grammy nominated and Americana Music Association award winning singer-songwriter, Hayes Carll will play his first South Island show at Christchurch’s Blue Smoke on Sunday October 9.

Clever, witty, self-deprecating and heartfelt are some of the adjectives thrown around when discussing Texan singer-songwriter Hayes Carll. Whilst his previous albums have concentrated on the first three his most recent offering, Lovers and Leavers comes straight from the heart. It is certainly his most personal album so far and the one that comes closest to reflecting his position as a singer-songwriter than any to date. 

Five albums in and to those who know his work it’s no surprise that Hayes is still winning awards and nominations from some of the most respected institutions in the music industry. This year saw him nominated for ‘Best Country Song’ at the Grammys for 'Chances Are' performed by Lee Ann Womack and in 2011 he was awarded ‘Song of the Year’ by American Songwriter for the humorous duet, 'Another Like You' with Cary Ann Hearst (Shovels & Rope). The latter track from his rollicking, critically acclaimed fourth album, KMAG YOYO & Other American Stories (the acronym in the title is military slang for "Kiss my ass, guys, you're on your own”). And back in 2008 his satirical lament 'She Left Me For Jesus' from his third album, Trouble In Mind nabbed him another Americana Music Association’s ‘Song of the Year’ award.

His catalogue of work, eye for the absurd and clever wordsmanship make him one of America’s most capable lyricists. On his most recent collection of songs Lovers and Leavers, he focuses on the pain and joy of losing and rediscovering love from a very personal angle.  Despite the subject matter and that “…there are very few hoots and hollers”, he says “…it is joyous, and it makes me smile.” Released five years after his fourth album he has once again reaffirmed his place as a major player in the world of Americana songwriting.

Special guest for the show will be New Zealand’s own Adam McGrath (of The Eastern). McGrath’s songs have gathered a clutch of good reviews in NZ and overseas, Graham Reid from the NZ Herald referred to him as 'NZ's toughest minded songwriter’ and Barry Saunders from The Warratahs simply described him as “The Truth”. McGrath has shared stages and opened for numerous Americana acts including Fleetwood Mac, Steve Earle and Old Crow Medicine Show.

Hayes Carll

Sunday October 9th: Blue Smoke, Christchurch

Tickets via Ticketmaster from 9AM, Friday August 19