LISTEN: A Different Thread Deliver Raw Poetry Via Soulful Americana On “Sweet and the Burn”

A Different Thread is a transatlantic folk-americana duo composed of Alicia Best (US) and Robert Jackson (UK). After meeting by chance while busking in Galway, Ireland, the two discovered a unique musical and personal connection that has taken them on a decade-long journey across the globe. Their music, a blend of Appalachian alt-country and British Folk revival, reflects their nomadic life with liberal commentary on social and environmental issues. 

With a refreshing twist on dusty Americana traditions and a natural chemistry that crosses oceans, A Different Thread’s “Sweet and the Burn” introduces the innovation of the band. The duo’s new single balances their individuality with an evident, deep love for Americana’s history, allowing it to sound right at home in modern times without straying too far from their heroes. Ironically enough, the concept of balance is at the core of “Sweet and the Burn.” With slow-burning harmonies that skate over trudging drums and sparse yet potent guitar riffs, the duo explores the pitfalls of substance-influenced escapism by sending a warning to anyone using third-party means to find peace. “If the liquor doesn’t do me in, it will hold me like an old friend” is just one of the poetically emotional realizations that make “Sweet and the Burn” such a heavy listen, as A Different Thread falls victim to the loop of abuse. Thankfully, the band rises from these ashes with a story to tell and a new lease on life, and their latest single seems to be just the start of a new era for A Different Thread. 

“This song began during a party lifestyle in Antigua, Guatemala, as a little voice saying, ‘Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,’” explains the band when asked about “Sweet and the Burn.” “Since quitting drinking 18 months ago, the song has been a lifeline for me, and we hope it can help others struggling with addiction.”