The Delines

Few bands sound as weary and tender at once as The Delines, a Portland, Oregon group whose retro country soul rests on the voice of Amy Boone. The band formed in 2012 out of an unlikely arrangement: Boone, touring with Richmond Fontaine, sang the female parts on that band's 2003 album Post to Wire, previously performed by her sister Deborah Kelly. Willy Vlautin, who also sings in Richmond Fontaine, writes the songs, mostly about hinterland Americans wrestling with everyday hardship, and Boone's vulnerable delivery gives those characters their pain.

The band recorded its debut, Colfax, with producer John Askew in Portland, releasing it in June 2014 to strong reviews. A European tour followed, taking in End of the Road and Kilkenny festivals. The limited edition Scenic Sessions came out in 2015. Boone was involved in a car accident in March 2016, and the band planned to record again once she had recovered. Their second full album, The Imperial, arrived in January 2019 and debuted at number one for two weeks on the UK Americana chart. The Sea Drift followed in January 2022, topping year-end polls in several countries.