A Different Thread

A Different Thread is an English-American band from Lichfield, Staffordshire, England and Durham, North Carolina, United States. The core members — Alicia Best and Robert Jackson — first met by chance, while busking in Galway, Ireland, in 2016. They were performing on the same street and started singing together. Soon after, they began collaborating while touring throughout Europe and the United States.

They live a nomadic lifestyle, which is in part due to the transatlantic nature of the band. They are known for their DIY approach, minimalist ethos, modern vintage style, and nostalgic sound. Their songs deal with themes of love, loss, polyamory, wanderlust, authentic human connection, saudade, freedom, change, and social justice.

Members

 * Robert Jackson (born April 6, 1989) Nuneaton UK – vocals, guitar, harmonica, banjo, keys. (School of Art and Design University of the West of England, Bristol, Illustration )
 * Alicia Best (born September 1, 1988) Manhattan, NYC, US – fiddle, singer-songwriter. (Bennington College Performing Arts)

They have performed with different musicians on tours in Mexico, Guatemala, US, UK, and Europe, including:
 * Mike Seal (Prof. Dr.) from Birmingham, UK – double bassist and songwriter. Also known for his work with the band Blue Soup.
 * The folk duo, Farefeld (AKA Chris Elliott and Caitlin Jones) – flutes, backing vocals, bouzouki, harmonium, fiddle.
 * Isaac Collier (born October 15, 1988), North Yorkshire Moors, England – classically trained cellist (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire )
 * Alan Best (born February 8, 1992) Durham, North Carolina, US – accordion and mandolin
 * Gerson Rivera, from Mexico – cello

Genre
Genres include: Americana, singer-songwriter, folk, old-time music, bluegrass, country, blues, Celtic, and folk music of England.

Their music is influenced by the folk revival of the 1970s, the Piedmont Blues of North Carolina, and Appalachian old time, as well as contemporary artists such as Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Johnny Cash & June Carter, Bert Jansch, Gillian Welch, Rhiannon Giddens, the Deslondes, and the Band.

Discography
A Different Thread has released two EPs and one album.
 * Home from Home (EP) – April 8, 2017
 * High Time (EP) – October 1, 2017
 * On a Whim (LP) – September 13, 2018
 * Some Distant Shore (EP) – May 22, 2020
 * Call of the Road (LP) – September 1, 2022

Competitions

 * 2017 Shrewsbury Folk Festival Winners of the Open Mic Competition.
 * 2019 International Songwriting Competition Semi Finalist
 * 2021 Reunite in Reykjavik competition