Alternative country, also called alt-country, insurgent country, Americana, or y'allternative, is a subgenre of country music that is not clearly defined. It includes artists and bands that have styles very different from mainstream country music, mainstream country rock, and country pop. This term is often used to describe country music groups that have influences from other genres such as alternative rock, indie rock, punk rock, heartland rock, Southern rock, progressive country, outlaw country, neotraditional country, Texas country, Red Dirt, roots rock, indie folk, folk rock, rockabilly, bluegrass, and honky tonk.

Definitions and characteristics

In the 1990s, the term "alternative country" was introduced, similar to the term "alternative rock." It was used to describe a group of musicians and singers who worked outside the traditions and industry of mainstream country music. Many of these artists avoided the highly polished sounds and pop-style music that were common in the Nashville-based industry. Instead, they used a simpler, less polished style of music, often influenced by punk and rock and roll. Their songs might focus on serious or socially aware topics, or they might express deep emotions in ways that differ from the common phrases used by mainstream country musicians. However, the music styles of artists in this genre vary widely, including elements of traditional American folk music, bluegrass, rockabilly, honky-tonk, and even music that sounds like mainstream rock or country. This wide range of styles has made it difficult to define the genre clearly. Some artists have rejected the term, while others have claimed to be part of it. Some have also said that older musicians should be considered part of the movement. No Depression, a well-known magazine that focuses on this genre, once said it covers "alternative-country music (whatever that is)."

History

Alternative country music was influenced by traditional American country music, which was created and shared by working people. Artists like Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, and the Carter Family were important influences. Another influence was country rock, which combined country music with rock & roll sounds. A third influence was punk rock, which brought energy and a do-it-yourself attitude.

Before 1990, several bands tried to mix punk and country styles. These included Jason and the Scorchers from Nashville, American Music Club from San Francisco, and the Jayhawks from Minneapolis. The 1980s also saw a group of bands in Southern California, such as the Long Ryders and X, who played a style called cowpunk. However, the term "alt country" became widely used by music writers after the release of Uncle Tupelo's 1990 album No Depression, which is considered the first alt-country album. This album also inspired the name of a website and later magazine that supported the movement.

Uncle Tupelo released three more influential albums before they stopped making music in 1994. Members of the band later formed three important alt-country bands: Wilco, Son Volt, and Bottle Rockets. Bottle Rockets, along with other bands like Freakwater, Old 97's, and Robbie Fulks, signed with Bloodshot Records, a Chicago-based independent label. This label helped develop a style called insurgent country. Other bands, including Blue Mountain, Whiskeytown, Blood Oranges, and Drive-By Truckers, continued to shape this musical tradition. By the 2000s, many of these bands began to focus more on rock music.