According to Wikipedia, Americana music is "American roots music based on the traditions of country...the musical model can be traced back to the Elvis Presley marriage
of 'hillbilly music' and R&B that birthed rock 'n roll". Strangely enough, some of the best Americana is originating far away from America itself. (Scary that other countries are not only making products we used to make, but now also making the music we used to make!) Kasey Chambers, a singer from the Australian outback who gave this performance
on NPR, was called "the
freshest young voice in American roots music" by Rolling Stone a few years ago.
And now, from Iceland, there's Lay Low (birth name Lovisa Elisabet Sigrunardottir) who recently also performed on NPR; on her latest release, 'Farewell Good Night's Sleep', "draws inspiration from country music of the 1950s and '60s, and even
replicates recording techniques from that era". Here's Kasey Chambers, followed by Lay Low...