Within the days earlier than switching its focus to making ready for the arrival of Hurricane Ian, Fort Myers Florida welcomed music lovers from world wide for its famed annual 10-day Island Hopper Songwriter Competition. And along with featured performances from a few of the best out of Nashville, Charleston, and even native notables from the Fort Myers Seaside space, competition goers have been handled to unique tunes from a trio that did some island hopping themselves — all the best way from the U.Ok.
Straight off the stage after their set opening for competition headliner Gary LeVox (previously of Rascal Flatts), Pursuitist caught up with Essex County, a rustic band named for his or her residence county in japanese England, made up of brothers Keiran (bass), Nate (drums), and Mark (guitar) that has been rocking the style with a British bent.
“We love touring world wide and seeing the completely different cultures and simply feeling out completely different crowds — and this crowd is superior,” Keiran informed us.
He and his bothers have been taking part in collectively since adolescence once they shaped their first pop band, Subsequent of Kin, signed to Common Data. Now, climbing the nation charts as Essex County, the household band is definitely taking influences from music they used to take heed to with their dad and mom alongside recent takes gleaned from attendance at festivals like Island Hopper.
“We’re positively coming again subsequent 12 months. 2023, we’re already booked in,” Nate stated from the stage.
“The gang and the tradition right here is a lot completely different [than other festivals we have played]… in a great way,” Keiran stated.
“Intimate gigs [like this], you can also make the gang snort like as when you have been at residence. You may simply sing your track and discuss garbage or no matter. On an enormous stage you’re simply form of taking part in to the gang. You may’t discuss to individuals once they’re so far-off, and it’s good to be intimate, you understand?” he stated.
Along with the principle stage for the culminating efficiency occasion of the competition, Essex County additionally graced smaller levels the place they made much more private connections with an Island Hopper viewers and venues that made them really feel proper at residence.
“We performed the Yucatan [Beach Stand],” Kieran informed us, pondering again to the nice crowd and an apparently memorable meal of Mama’s Pot Roast.
“They do an superior beef roast dinner you possibly can’t discover wherever in America. It’s the closest factor to a roast dinner again residence,” he stated.
(He additionally divulged that he couldn’t be discovered sipping margaritas — and even mocktails — on the seashore throughout his time within the Florida solar. “I don’t drink,” he stated. “Simply hydrate with water.” This may increasingly have one thing to do together with his passions and pursuits when not taking part in, which he informed us would come with racing bikes.)
Headed again to London instantly after the competition, each to flee the hurricane and to do some songwriting, American audiences can relaxation assured that Essex County has plans to return to the states, Nashville particularly, to play the Rhyman Auditorium as quickly as November 2022.
“It’s thrilling,” Keiran informed Pursuitist, about acting at what’s extensively thought to be the most effective nation music venue in Nashville. “We’ve performed there twice earlier than, however we’re taking part in with Chris Younger this time,” in a live performance and charitable occasion, Christmas 4 Youngsters, that additionally options Phil Vassar and The Frontmen.
