Phil Cook airs country-rock cut "Ain't It Sweet" featuring Bon Iver's Justin Vernon [Premiere]

01 September 2015, 15:42 | Written by Laurence Day

(Tracks)

(Hiss Golden Messenger) (Bon Iver) (Justin Vernon) (Matthew E White) (Phil Cook)

Eau Claire, Wisconsin, born singer/guitarist Phil Cook has built a steady rep for his talent as a producer, composer, writer, and engineer over the years. He's on the brink of releasing his first ever solo record, and you can hear new single "Ain't It Sweet" on Best Fit now.

Cook's worked with a variety of big names in the States, including Hiss Golden Messenger, Matthew E. White, and Amy Ray likens his omnipresence to that of Woodie Guthrie. As Cook explores some of the traditional sounds of the U.S.A., from the Bayou, to The Delta, to the Appalachian Mountains, he utilises his own experiences and the tricks he's picked up during a glimmering career to create a marvellous, timeless sound.

"Ain't It Sweet" is a soulful take on retro country-rock and folk. Warm guitars blur with fiddles and gospel organs - it's effortlessly endearing, and the sun-blistered axe solo towards the end will have you grinning ear-to-ear.

The track's taken from Cook's upcoming debut solo record Southland Mission, which is set for release via Thirty Tigers/Middle West.

Bon Iver's Justin Vernon has provided backing harmonies for the track, which was mixed with engineer Jon Ashley (The War On Drugs).

Listen to "Ain't It Sweet" below. His upcoming U.K. and Ireland shows can be found afterwards.

October

19 - London, UK - Roundhouse
20 - Glasgow, UK - O2 ABC
21 - Dublin, Ireland - Vicar Street
23 - Manchester, UK - Albert Hall
24 - Bexhill On Sea, UK - De La Warr

(all dates with The Tallest Man On Earth)