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We are delighted to welcome the amazing Oregon trio The Hackles to 50rpm. They were one of the standout headliners of Celtic Connection 2023 so we can't wait for this one.

** Please note our venue is located up stairs and their are no lift so it is not suitable for wheelchair users and may not be suitable for those with walking difficulties. We operate a no talking policy when acts are performing. Be a considerate gig goer and don't spoil it for others **

The Hackles impressed with their debut album, but it was the follow-up, 2019?s 'A Dobritch Did As A Dobritch Should', that established them well beyond the shores of the USA. In the UK, The Daily Express called it ?gorgeous Americana,? while RnR magazine said it was ?magnificent.? Folk Radio UK praised the ?intelligent, highly melodic song-writing.?

Kati Claborn and Luke Ydstie, both previously core members of the band Blind Pilot, impressed with their sumptuous vocal harmonies and writing skills, confirming them as a major force on the Americana/indie-folk circuit. The Hackles, now a trio, have a new album coming and a couple of tracks are written by close friend and long-time auxiliary member Halli Anderson of the band, River Whyless, who joins them here.

?Dobritch is a lush, melodious journey through all the good and bad in life?the things we can control and those out of our control.? - American Songwriter

?Highly refined songwriting and awe-inspiring harmonization.? - Rough Trade

?Built off wonder, reflection, strain, and curiosity, A Dobritch Did As A Dobritch Should is a mature reckoning with life?s innumerable tides. Exciting yet tranquil, expansive yet disciplined, The Hackles find their voice in a mesmerizingly rich sea of indie folk sound.? - Atwood Magazine

?The lyrics on this album paint vivid images but sew them together with bits of gauze, cobwebs, and clouds.? - Steven Rafferty Americana UK

About as authentic PNW folk as you can get.? - Susan Varnes-Newland Seattle Wave Radio

Reviews of their Celtic Connections show below:

AMERICANA UK REVIEW
It?s testament to the pulling power of Celtic Connections, now in its 30th year, that a near-capacity crowd turned up to see The Hackles play their first-ever gig in Scotland even as elsewhere, the festival had several other crowd-pulling events also taking place. The discerning folk who elected for this Astoria, Oregon-based trio were not disappointed as the three superb musicians and singers played a set which was at times almost hypnotic.

The trio (Luke Ydstie on guitar, Kati Claborn, guitar, banjo and clarinet, and Halli Anderson, fiddle and guitar) were both charming and humble in their effusive thanks to the festival and in their song introductions. They hailed the humble haggis which they seem to believe the Scots eat nonstop and a running thread saw them asking the audience for suggestions as to which name they should bestow on the hire car which is taking them across the UK for the next couple of weeks.

Stripped of the band arrangements which made their last album, ?A Dobritch Did As A Dobritch Should?, such a delight, the trio nevertheless managed to maintain the delicacy and intricacy of the songs tonight, the mainly acoustic setting allowing their very fine three-part harmonies to swell. Indeed, one of the highlights was an acapella rendition of Michael Hurley?s ?The Werewolf?, a stunning display of their voices and one which left goosebumps on this reviewer.

The opening numbers came from their first album with their folk roots well to the fore on the haunting ?New Shadow Of The Pines? while ?Don?t Let Me Go By? was quite sublime with Ydstie?s vocals wonderfully supported by Claborn and Anderson?s harmonies. In the main, the set balanced songs from ?A Dobritch Did As A Dobritch Should? and their forthcoming release, ?What A Beautiful Thing We Have Made?, the sounds ranging from Appalachia to Topanga Canyon murmurings ? one could hear the spirit of Joni Mitchell in the sublime ?Seven Lies?. ?Pictures Of Elvis?, a song from the forthcoming album was a street-savvy and finger-popping number about a forthcoming apocalypse (with Ydstie admitting he probably isn?t cut out for surviving such an event unless he could become a cook for a camp of macho survivors). Adding to the catalogue, Anderson, a new addition to the band, unveiled one of her songs, ?Steve?, which she introduced with a fine deadpan humour.

Despite Claborn?s folk background and the presence of fiddle and banjo, The Hackles aren?t a bluegrass band and they don?t do hoedowns. Instead, there are spirited renditions of songs about suicidal circus managers (?The Show Goes On?) while the intricate folk-rock dynamism of ?Dominoes?, where the trio stretched out a bit, reminded one of the early days of Fairport Convention. The early Convention came to mind again when the trio played the lead single for the new album, ?Damn The Word? with Anderson?s jagged fiddle punctuating Claborn?s passionate vocals. The trio are so obviously in tune with each other that each song was a delight making this a gig to savour.

Tonight?s support act was Lizzie No who has been making waves in the indie folk movement of late. She?s an engaging performer who, when not playing guitar, straps a harp to herself. First thing to say about her is that she?s a natural on stage, her introductions and asides were both humorous and pertinent and she seemed to be enjoying herself. The audience connected with her immediately, especially when she decided to crack open her first ever can of Irn Bru (Scotland?s other national drink) on stage ? she never really committed to what her thoughts on it were. Anyhow, No sang a short set of songs which posit her as a kind of loser in life, be it in romance or real estate, coming across a little bit like a millennial version of Suzanne Vega while her gliding rendition of ?The Mountaineer? was akin to Alela Diane.

GLASGOW GUARDIAN REVIEW
Americana meets Drygate Brewery: Celtic Connections remains impressive in its ability to fuse.

A major part of this year?s festival was devoted to Americana music ? folk, blues, jazz and country being only some examples of all that this term encompasses. The American roots music, as the genre is also known by, has clear similarities to Celtic folk and traditional music, as they share the same goal ? to preserve and honour traditional sounds. It was this style that the band the Hackles and their opening act Lizzie No. showcased.

The Hackles are a Oregon-based band, which have recently expanded into a trio formed by Kati Claborn (guitar, vocals, banjo and clarinet), Luke Ydstie (guitar and vocals) and Halli Anderson (fiddle, guitar and vocals). Their folk style combines traditional instruments with beautiful vocals, creating a unique atmosphere that oscillates between joyful play and sombre ballads.

The venue hosting this performance was the Drygate Brewery. While at first this might have seemed like an odd choice, the beer distillery boasted a large performance area with good seating and a well lit stage. Colourful lights decorated the room, which gave it a warm and festive feeling, as well as inducing a more relaxed festival vibe. This set up contrasted greatly with that of the first concert I attended, which took place in a dark downstairs venue and had little to no seating. Drygate was a lot more welcoming and accessible for the older crowd. The relaxed and comfortable environment helped keep the audience excited, and avoided early exhaustion.

The opening act, Lizzy No., started on time and eased the crowd into the evening with her beautiful vocals and playful accompaniment. When she wasn?t playing the guitar, or the miniature harp strapped to her body, she entertained the crowd with jokes and relatable anecdotes about her life, including the memorable quote: ?when the boss makes a dollar I make a dime, that?s why I write songs on company time?. The crowd responded well to her, and she left the stage to the sound of loud applause.

Following a short break, the main act came on stage. Much like Lizzie No., The Hackles were humorous and charismatic, interacting with each other and the crowd between songs. The combination of instruments, especially the inclusion of the clarinet, created delicate and beautiful melodies. These complex musical landscapes underpinned clever and unique lyrics, often deceivingly simple, yet overwhelmingly well crafted. All three band members possessed unique vocal qualities which produced entrancing harmonies and striking melodies.Including quirky song names such as steve and elvis, the concert was filled with amazing songs which touched on themes of grief, anger, climate disaster, and love among others. While most of the songs performed were written by Luke, the concert also included songs composed by Kati and Halli, allowing each of the band members to take a turn in the spotlight. Once the concert finished, the Hackles were loudly praised, resulting in an encore at the audience?s request. Finally, the crowd was met with free gifts from the brewery, which made an already lovely night all the more joyful.

Description

26 Lefroy Street,

Coatbridge,

Lanarkshire,

Scotland,

ML5 1LZ.