Gillian Welch, speaking on Radio Scotland’s ‘Brand New Opry’ (now ‘Brand New Country’) a few years back said:
“When I first heard old mountain music the first thing that hit me was the sound – the distinctive harmonies were sweet yet full force it didn’t sound weird to me – there was a lot of dissonance, a lot of balls out musicianship which is very similar to punk rock”
[Gillian Welch’s last album was ‘Soul Journey’ 5 years ago – a new album is long overdue but unfortunately as far as I know there’s nothing on the horizon]
The punk/country thing is uncanny, viz the Mekons.