A trip to The Deep South saw soulful country-rockers The Dreaming Spires finding their spiritual mojo, the band’s Robin Bennett tells Tim Hughes

A lifelong lover of soul and country music, Robin Bennett has always identified with the sounds of the American South. So when he finally touched down in Tennessee, at the end of last year, he admits it felt like coming home.

The talented guitarist, singer and songwriter, who fronts the band The Dreaming Spires with his brother Joe, is no stranger to the USA, having toured the east and west coasts with his existing group, and previous ensemble Goldrush. But, he says, playing in the great music cities of the South – Memphis, Nashville and New Orleans – felt like the accomplishment of a life’s dream.

“It felt like a spiritual home,” he says, speaking from his home in Dorchester.

“I have always felt out of step with music in Britain. I have always identified with the music of the South, and especially Memphis, where so many of my musical heroes recorded and played.

“Despite playing the East Coast and California before, we always thought we’d go down best in the South – but until last year had never been there. Now we have.

“It was great to see how much people like us over there. It might be hard to sell out a gig in Oxford, but people really listen to us in Nashville.”

The Dreaming Spires channel a very Southern energy – a blend of rock, soul, folk and country – born of an enduring love of Stax soul, Sun Records, legends like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Florida-born Gram Parsons, and bands like Big Star.

The band were invited to play the Americana Fest in Nashville by the Americana Music Association.

And they went down so well, they were nominated for a brace of well-deserved accolades in the Americana Awards – best UK band and best UK album for their second LP Searching for the Supertruth. Joe, who also plays in country-rock band Co-Pilgrim, is also in the running for UK instrumentalist of the year.

The awards take place about as far from the American South as it is possible to get – in the hipster haven of Hackney, East London – and the lads: Robin, Joe, drummer Scott Kenny and keys man Tom Collison, are warming up with a homecoming show to remember, at the Bullingdon, on Cowley Road.

Sundays show is among the first hometown shows as a proper band since their acclaimed sophomore album hit the streets – earning them five-star reviews in the national music press and even a slot on BBC1’s Andrew Marr Show, during which the presenter called them “one of the best live bands in Britain”.

Admirers include St Etienne’s Sarah Cracknell, with whom the Bennetts have been collaborating and performing live.

Another fan is legendary broadcaster, and country music lover, Bob Harris, who hails from Robin and Joe’s former home village of Steventon. ‘Whispering’ Bob is also one of the backers of the Americana Awards. “The Americana scene in Britain is very dispersed, with a lot of bands under the radar,” says Robin.

“These awards should change that by bringing it all together.”

They will be joined at The Bully, in what is billed as a gig to celebrate Independent Music Venue Week, by Anglo-American double act Lewis & Leigh, who they met in Nashville.

The duo consists of Alva Leigh, who was raised in Mississippi but now lives in Oxford and Welsh singer-songwriter Al Lewis.

The pair have released three EPs in the past 18 months, with a debut album due out soon.

They are also up for a pair of awards: for UK artist and UK song of the year (for their tune Rubble).

The Deadbeat Apostles open the show, which sees Robin and Joe energised after their experience Stateside - where they were joined by their former drummer, Oxfordshire lad Jamie Dawson – last seen in the UK playing with the band at a showcase gig organised by The Oxford Times at the Jericho Tavern, last year.

Sticks duties at the London awards show will be shared by respected musician and producer Ethan Johns – which Robin describes as something of a coup.

It won’t be the first time they have been joined by a musical celebrity. While in Memphis, the band recorded at Ardent Studios, managed by one of their idols – Big Star drummer Jody Stephens, and the home of albums by everyone from ZZ Top and REM to Led Zeppelin and Booker T and the MGs.

Oxford Mail:

  • The Dreaming Spires were invited to play the Americana Fest in Nashville

“That was a dream come true,” says Robin. “We recorded a new version of our song Dusty in Memphis with Jody singing backing vocals. That was such an exciting day. He thought it was cool and was very enthusiastic.

“We just went out and played live. It was inspiring just being there. You can feel a sense of energy just being there.”

He goes on: “We were definitely in our element. It feels that music is rated more highly in people’s lives there.

“Over here you are told at school to focus on academic subjects, while music is scene as a leisure activity. But it’s not like that there. From the moment you arrive at the airport, you see guitars everywhere and pictures of Johnny Cash. It’s energising and inspiring.”

The success of Searching for the Supertruth has been a long time coming for the Bennetts. Robin describes the album as “more psychedelic” than their more straightforward country-rock debut.

“We finally know what we are doing,” he says. “We try to write interesting songs that we enjoy,” he goes on. “And while the American influence is obvious, we are also influenced by British bands like The Who. Whatever we do next will sound more English.

“The key to our sound is the harmony between me and my brother – along with the Rickenbackers, which indicate what to expect.”

He adds: “It’s always great being in the studio – especially our own studio in Steventon, where we can spend more time working on the details and adding more depth to the sound.

But our real love is going out and playing live – which is why we are looking forward to Sunday so much. It’s going to be a lot of fun, with a few surprises. We are also paying tribute to some of the legendary artists who have died recently.”

“See you there!”

Where and when
The Dreaming Spires play The Bullingdon, Oxford, on Sunday.
For tickets, go to wegottickets.com