Maverick Country Music Magazine

6 June 2024

It’s my pleasure to present the latest issue of Maverick. For this issue, I went to my first ever C2C Festival and got to experience everything Europe’s biggest country music festival had to offer. After three days jam packed with country music, I was particularly inspired and encouraged by the ever-growing number of country music fans over in the UK. It really was a pleasure meeting, speaking and singing along with you all (or should I say y’all!). The theme for this issue of Maverick is ‘Rebels and Troubadours’ – and there’s some incredible artists doing innovative things all over this issue. First up, we have The Hello Darlins. Candace Lacina was a joy to speak to, the friendly Canadian demeanour isn’t just a stereotype after all. Throughout 2023, The Hello Darlins did an astounding 167 days on tour, spreading the sound of their country/Americana blend all over the world. I also spoke with the formidable Charley Crockett ahead of the release of his 14th album ‘$10 Cowboy’. Crockett himself is a true rebel, someone who follows his own path in life and in music, his ability to produce music is unmatched and he even confessed that he is already recording for another – his 15th – album. Truly an amazing feat for an artist. There are, of course, interviews from my time at C2C. I had the chance to speak with so many artists that I can’t possibly list them, but in this issue it’s Lakeview, Alana Springsteen and Brooke Eden who I felt most represented the untameable future of country music. Lakeview’s set at C2C was perhaps one of the most rambunctious of the festival, with the duo taking to the stage with nothing but acoustic guitars and storming through their setlist of metal and country music to ravenous fans who couldn’t get enough. As for Springsteen, she was hosting the main stage alongside Britian’s own Bob Harris. As well as hosting, Springsteen played an afterparty at C2C and had the chance to show off her performing chops. Her music is modern, youthful and speaks to a generation of young people who are facing the same changes in life that she is, Springsteen is a real country star. My interview with Eden brought us both to tears whilst we spoke about love, life and country. The Florida native’s set at the festival was so popular I couldn’t get in! But Eden has promised that next time she is in the UK (for The Long Road Festival) there will be enough space for everyone to get an earful of her queer country/pop. It's another packed issue of Maverick with plenty more inside. Once again, I implore you to sit near a warm, crackling fire, grab a beverage of your choice and settle in for a reading break with all of us over here at Maverick. Catch you in the next one!