# Alternative country > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Alternative_country > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Alternative_country.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_country > Source revision: 1336429919 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Subgenre of country music Alternative country Stylistic origins Country alternative rock country rock outlaw country neotraditional country progressive country punk rock rockabilly indie rock heartland rock southern rock folk rock Cultural origins Late 20th century Other topics Americana cowpunk folk punk gothic country indie folk Southern rock **Alternative country** (commonly abbreviated to **alt-country**; **insurgent country**,[1] **[Americana](/source/Americana_(music))**, or **y'allternative**[2]) is a loosely defined subgenre of [country music](/source/Country_music) that includes acts that differ significantly in style from mainstream country music, mainstream country rock, and [country pop](/source/Country_pop). Most frequently, the term has been used to describe certain country music bands and artists that are also defined as or have incorporated influences from genres such as alternative rock, [indie rock](/source/Indie_rock), [punk rock](/source/Punk_rock), [heartland rock](/source/Heartland_rock), [Southern rock](/source/Southern_rock), [progressive country](/source/Progressive_country), [outlaw country](/source/Outlaw_country), [neotraditional country](/source/Neotraditional_country), [Texas country](/source/Texas_country_music), [Red Dirt](/source/Red_Dirt_(music)), [roots rock](/source/Roots_rock), [indie folk](/source/Indie_folk), [folk rock](/source/Folk_rock), [rockabilly](/source/Rockabilly), [bluegrass](/source/Bluegrass_music), and [honky tonk](/source/Honky_tonk).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] ## Definitions and characteristics [Son Volt](/source/Son_Volt) performing in 2005 In the 1990s, the term *alternative country*, paralleling alternative rock, began to be used to describe a diverse group of musicians and singers operating outside the traditions and industry of mainstream country music.[2] Many eschewed the increasingly polished production values and pop sensibilities of the [Nashville](/source/Nashville%2C_Tennessee)-dominated industry for a more [lo-fi](/source/Lo-fi_music) sound, frequently infused with a strong [punk](/source/Punk_rock) and [rock and roll](/source/Rock_and_roll) aesthetic.[3] Lyrics may be bleak or socially aware, but also more heartfelt and less likely to use the clichés sometimes used by mainstream country musicians. In other respects, the musical styles of artists that fall within this genre often have little in common, ranging from traditional [American folk music](/source/American_folk_music) and bluegrass, through rockabilly and honky-tonk, to music that is indistinguishable from mainstream rock or country.[4] This already broad labeling has been further confused by alternative country artists disavowing the movement, mainstream artists declaring they are part of it, and retroactive claims that past or veteran musicians are alternative country. *[No Depression](/source/No_Depression_(magazine))*, the best-known magazine dedicated to the genre, declared that it covered "alternative-country music (whatever that is)".[5] ## History Alternative country drew on traditional American country music, the music of working people, preserved and celebrated by practitioners such as [Woody Guthrie](/source/Woody_Guthrie), [Hank Williams](/source/Hank_Williams), and [the Carter Family](/source/The_Carter_Family), often cited as major influences.[6] Another major influence was [country rock](/source/Country_rock), the result of fusing country music with a rock & roll sound. The third factor was [punk rock](/source/Punk_rock), which supplied an energy and [DIY attitude](/source/DIY_ethic).[7] [Blue Mountain](/source/Blue_Mountain_(band)) on stage in 2008 Attempts to combine punk and country had been pioneered by a number of bands prior to 1990, including [Nashville](/source/Nashville)'s [Jason and the Scorchers](/source/Jason_and_the_Scorchers), [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco)’s [American Music Club](/source/American_Music_Club), and the Minneapolis-based band [the Jayhawks](/source/The_Jayhawks), along with the 1980s Southern Californian [cowpunk](/source/Cowpunk) scene with bands such as [the Long Ryders](/source/The_Long_Ryders)[1] and [X](/source/X_(American_band)).[8] However, the "alt country" label did not gain popularity among music journalists until the release of [Uncle Tupelo](/source/Uncle_Tupelo)'s 1990 LP *[No Depression](/source/No_Depression_(album))*, which has been credited as being the first "alt-country" album. It is also the namesake of the online notice board and eventually [magazine](/source/No_Depression_(magazine)) that underpinned the movement.[2][9] They released three more influential albums, signing to a major label, before they broke up in 1994, with members and figures associated with them going on to form three major bands in the genre: [Wilco](/source/Wilco), [Son Volt](/source/Son_Volt) and [Bottle Rockets](/source/The_Bottle_Rockets).[2] Bottle Rockets signed, along with acts like [Freakwater](/source/Freakwater), [Old 97's](/source/Old_97's) and [Robbie Fulks](/source/Robbie_Fulks), to the Chicago-based indie label, [Bloodshot](/source/Bloodshot_Records), who pioneered a version of the genre under the name *insurgent country*.[1][10] The bands [Blue Mountain](/source/Blue_Mountain_(band)), [Whiskeytown](/source/Whiskeytown), [Blood Oranges](/source/Blood_Oranges_(band)) and [Drive-By Truckers](/source/Drive-By_Truckers) further developed this tradition before most began to move more in the direction of rock music in the 2000s.[11] ## See also - [List of alternative country musicians](/source/List_of_alternative_country_musicians) - [Americana (music)](/source/Americana_(music)) - [Heartland rock](/source/Heartland_rock) - [Red Dirt (music)](/source/Red_Dirt_(music)) - [Southern rock](/source/Southern_rock) - [Outlaw country](/source/Outlaw_country) - [Gothic country](/source/Gothic_country) - [Indie folk](/source/Indie_folk) - [Texas country music](/source/Texas_country_music) - [Progressive country](/source/Progressive_country) - [Country rock](/source/Country_rock) - [Cow punk](/source/Cow_punk) ## References **Notes** 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Malone2002_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Malone2002_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Malone2002_1-2) W. C. Malone, *Country Music, U.S.A.* (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 2nd edn., 2002), [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-292-75262-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-292-75262-8), p. 451. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-smith2009_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-smith2009_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-smith2009_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-smith2009_2-3) C. Smith, *101 Albums That Changed Popular Music* (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009), [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-19-537371-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-19-537371-5), pp. 204–9. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-WolfandDuanep549_3-0)** K. Wolff and O. Duane, eds, *Country Music: the Rough Guide* (London: Rough Guides, 2000), [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-85828-534-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-85828-534-8), p. 549. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** C. K. Wolfe and J. E. Akenson, *Country Music Annual 2001* (University Press of Kentucky, 2001), [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8131-0990-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8131-0990-6), pp. 78–80. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** A. A. Fox, "Alternative to what?": O Brother, September 11 and the politics of country music", in C. K. Wolfe and J. E. Akenson, *Country Music Goes to War* (Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky, 2005), [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8131-2308-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8131-2308-9), p. 164. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** G Smith, *Singing Australian: a History of Folk and Country Music* (Melbourne: Pluto Press Australia, 2005), [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-86403-241-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-86403-241-3), p. 134. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-WolfandDuanep396_7-0)** K. Wolff and O. Duane, eds, *Country Music: the Rough Guide* (London: Rough Guides, 2000), [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-85828-534-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-85828-534-8), p. 396. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-x_8-0)** Fechik, Mariel (May 7, 2020). ["Interview: X's Exene Cervenka on LA Punk Legends' Return & New Album *ALPHABETLAND*"](https://atwoodmagazine.com/alphabetland-x-band-interview-2020-music/). *Atwood Magazine*. Retrieved May 8, 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-AllmusicNoDepression_9-0)** M. Deming, ["No Depression Bonus Tracks"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/r626894), *Allmusic*, retrieved January 26, 2009. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-WolfandDuanep550_10-0)** K. Wolff and O. Duane, eds, *Country Music: the Rough Guide* (London: Rough Guides, 2000), [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-85828-534-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-85828-534-8), p. 550. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-WolfandDuanep549-92_11-0)** K. Wolff and O. Duane, eds, *Country Music: the Rough Guide* (London: Rough Guides, 2000), [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-85828-534-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-85828-534-8), pp. 549–92. **Bibliography** - Alden, Grant; & Blackstock, Peter (1998). *No Depression: An Introduction to Alternative Country Music. Whatever That Is*. Dowling Pr. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-891847-00-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-891847-00-7). - Goodman, David (1999). *Modern Twang: An Alternative Country Music Guide and Directory*. Dowling Pr. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-891847-03-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-891847-03-1). - Wolff, Kurt; Duane, Orla (2000). [*Country Music: The Rough Guide*](https://books.google.com/books?id=3Jorozp1yp4C&pg=PA557). Rough Guides. pp. 557–8. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-85828-534-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-85828-534-4). - Kasten, Roy (April 29, 2008). ["Fifteen Things You Might Not Know about The Bottle Rockets, on Their Fifteenth Birthday"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110604092326/http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2008-04-30/music/15-up-fifteen-things-you-might-not-know-about-local-heroes-the-bottle-rockets-on-the-occasion-of-their-fifteenth-birthday/). *Riverfront Times*. Archived from [the original](http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2008-04-30/music/15-up-fifteen-things-you-might-not-know-about-local-heroes-the-bottle-rockets-on-the-occasion-of-their-fifteenth-birthday/) on June 4, 2011. - Hogeland, William (March 14, 2004), "[Emulating the Real and Vital Guthrie, Not St. Woody](https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/14/arts/music-emulating-the-real-and-vital-guthrie-not-st-woody.html?pagewanted=all)", *New York Times*. ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Alternative country](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Alternative_country). - ["So what is insurgent country anyway?"](http://www.gumbopages.com/music/insurgent.html) - [alt.country: what is this stuff?](https://web.archive.org/web/20090212172335/http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA98/molinaro/alt.country/jm-thesis.html) from American Studies at the University of Virginia v t e Country music Genres Bluegrass Progressive Traditional Christian country music Country en Español Country and Irish Country pop Bro-country Cowboy pop Country rap Country rock Alternative country Americana Cowpunk Gothic country Gothic Western Rockabilly Gothabilly Psychobilly Roots rock Heartland rock Southern rock Swamp rock Tropical rock Honky-tonk Neotraditional country Outlaw country Progressive country Sertanejo music Southern soul Talking blues Truck-driving country Western music New Mexico music Red dirt Tejano Texas country music Western swing Yacht country Regional scenes Atlantan Australian Bush band Bakersfield sound Canadian Canadian fiddle Cape Breton fiddle Métis fiddle Quebec fiddle Newfoundland & Labrador Lubbock sound Nashville sound Nigerian UK West Country / Scrumpy and Western Related Appalachian music Cajun music Classic country Country blues Country folk Country radio Hillbilly Lists of country music artists Old-time music Old time fiddle v t e Alternative rock Precursors Jangle pop New wave Punk rock Hardcore punk Post-hardcore Noise rock Proto-punk Art punk Post-punk New musick Gothic rock Deathrock Gothabilly Styles and fusion genres Alternative country Americana Gothic country Alternative dance Alternative metal Funk metal Grunge Bubblegrunge Post-grunge Soft grunge Industrial metal Neue Deutsche Härte Nu metal Post-metal Rap metal Alternative pop Blog rock Britpop Post-Britpop Chamber pop Christian Classic alternative Cloud rock Crank wave College rock Dark cabaret Dolewave Emo Emo pop Emo rap Emo revival Midwest emo Screamo Geek rock Wizard rock Grebo Indie rock Indie folk Indie pop Jangle pop Dunedin sound Paisley Underground Math rock New rave Slowcore Incelcore Industrial rock Industrial metal Iran Latin alternative Madchester Baggy Mangue bit Shitgaze Neo-psychedelia Dream pop Shoegaze Blackgaze Nu gaze Zoomergaze Grungegaze New wave of new wave Noise pop Pagan rock Post-punk revival Post-rock Post-metal Slacker rock SoundCloud indie Related topics Alternative Airplay Anorak C86 Campus radio Indie music Independent record label List of alternative rock artists List of indie rock musicians List of lo-fi musicians Lo-fi music Lollapalooza Outsider music Category Authority control databases National United States Israel Other Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Alternative country](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_country) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_country?action=history)). 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