Americana trio weave music and community into fabric of life

Transatlantic trio A Different Thread are bringing a show with a difference to the Old England on Friday.

In an act of defiance against fast fashion, the band are inviting audience members to bring a square of fabric to contribute to a quilt that will symbolise unity, diversity and creativity.

Frontman Robert Jackson is revisiting Bristol, his former base before moving to North Carolina, the home of  musician Alicia Best who he met while busking in Galway.

In a video the duo shot at Spike Island, Bristol Central MP Carla Denyer can be seen among the cast of swing dancers.

The band’s Patchwork tour combines fiddle, harmonica and sweet harmony-based roots music with social action, in what they describe as ‘a celebration of the vibrant communities that sustain us.’

A Different Thread explained their novel approach to Bristol24/7:

“Music weaves our lives together. This tour celebrates how music can enrich our connections with each other. It also symbolizes our opposition to the fast fashion fabric market,” they said.

“As an independent touring band, we’re expected to make a large chunk of our earnings from merch sales and yet a shocking amount of band shirts are made in sweat shops.

“The fast fashion market is riddled with exploitation, the system is set up with very few checks and balances, and DIY bands with limited funds like ourselves are often put in the position where the only t-shirts we can afford are coming from dubious sources.

“We’re offering a DIY approach. All our shirts are upcycled fabric and if you bring your own item of clothing to a show, we’ll stencil our design on it for you.

Jackson, from Lichfield, and Best, from Durham in North Carolina, have been on countless tours and busking trips to far-flung places: photo – Andrzej Wojna

“It’s a trial – maybe it’s a bit punk rock for the Americana scene. But we are hopeful that people will embrace the ethos and the idea so that we can find ways to keep art alive without adding suffering to the lives of others.

“We believe that music is needed, especially at difficult times like these. It is a crucial tool for transformative change. We’re inviting our audience to get involved, to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.

“The art quilt made from people’s scraps will represent diversity and unity, the fabric of our lives, as we bridge the gaps between the different communities that welcome us in, along our tour.

“Our band name was inspired by the old adage ‘We’re all cut from the same cloth.’ In all our travels we have seen how true this is, time and again. Through our art we hope to break down the invisible barrier between audience and artist.

Best is known for her distinctive ‘suitcase drum-kit’ set-up which combines with fiddle, guitar, harmonica, soulful harmonies and double bass to create the band’s full sound – photo: A Different Thread

“It is a symbiotic relationship, the give and take is palpable and we would not be here if it weren’t for our audience. The energy from an attentive crowd is a transformative magic!

“This collaborative quilt will be harnessing that same energy, in a new way.”

Jackson and Best will be joined by double bassist Mike Seal and support comes from Bristol blues player Holly Carter for their show at the Old England on August 16. They’re also performing at Folk Tales on October 2. Find out more by visiting www.adifferentthread.com

The band will appear live on BCFM on August 15.

Main photo: Andrzej Wojna

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