AMERICANA, roots, bluegrass or just plain ol' country and western, whatever you call it, you can't keep a traditional US song of heartbreak down.
Country music's resurgence continues unabated on both sides of The Pond and from the Black Country to the Big Country we find The Toy Hearts.
The sister-fronted act from Birmingham will be playing Mathew Street's View Two Gallery this Friday (25th January 2013) , one of a series of UK and European dates, before heading off to Austin, Texas, where they will live for six months, adding some authentic spit to the considerable polish of their sound.
With a couple of warmly received albums behind them, The Toy Hearts' growing fan base includes Bob Harris, Ronnie Wood, Robert Plant and Imelda May.
"Quite possibly the finest and most authentic-sounding blend of Americana of any UK act," says Sean McGhee at Radio 2, no less.
Although you might not expect two young women from the Midlands to produce authentic and innovative country music, The Toy Hearts do and are the only UK act to have received long list nominations for the past three years as "Emerging Artists" by the International Bluegrass Music Association.
They've already sold out appearances at Grateful Fred's Roots and Acoustic Nights in Formby. Can it get any better than that?
Colin Maddocks, Grateful Fred's organiser, says: "The Toy Hearts are my all-time favourite live acoustic band. Each member is a real master of their instrument and together they set the stage on fire. We could have sold out each night twice over. If you can make it, get your tickets now. I promise you will not be disappointed, and this could turn out to be one of the best concerts you will enjoy in 2013."
*Liverpool Acoustic Live, featuring The Toy Hearts, Friday, January 25, 2013, View Two Gallery 23 Mathew Street, Liverpool 2. Tickets, £9 in advance from here or £10 on the door. Doors open at 8.00pm and the music runs from 8.30pm to 11.00pm.
