ABOUT DURANGO BLUE
Based in the Borders of Scotland, Durango Blue formed in 2017 after a chance meeting and a shared love of American roots music. Durango Blue are songwriter/guitarist Ryan Hooper and multi-instrumentalist Paul Templeman.
The duo combine Ryan’s gravelly vocals, heartfelt, intelligent, hook-laden lyrics, memorable melodies and funky acoustic rhythms with Paul’s tasteful and inventive playing on Guitar, Weissenborn and Lap Steel. Add a dash of digital foot percussion, and you have a duo that sounds like a band.
Durango Blue tell tales of lost love, found love, good times, and hard times, and sound perfectly at home doing so. Paul and Ryan can make you sit up and think, shed a quiet tear, smile a wistful smile, and remember a long forgotten someone…...sometimes all in the same song.
Durango Blue perform regularly from Northumberland to the Highlands, and have been seen at numerous festivals including The Edinburgh Fringe, Eden, Wild On The Wall, Belladrum, Bute and Lindisfarne.
For fans of rootsy, country, bluesy grooves in the vein of John Hiatt,
Jackson Browne, JJ Cale and James McMurtry.
"Profound lyrics and rich musical texture evoke a collaboration between Mark Knopfler and Ry Cooder, showcasing exceptional artistry and depth" - lastdaydeaf.com
"The duo has developed a distinctive sound that resonates with fans of Americana, highlighting their ability to blend traditional American influences with their own unique musical touch” - waxvinylrecords.co.uk
“Two fine guitarists, two fine vocalists, one distinct sound, Durango Blue should be on the jukebox in every tavern worldwide.” Americana legend Sid Griffin - The Long Ryders
“Great Songs and an unfeasibly big sound, one of the hits of Belladrum 2023”
Rob Ellen - Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
“From the exquisite melodies of ‘Put Up A Fight’ to the grungy ‘Go With The Flow’ there is plenty to please here” - The Hawick Paper
“Cool vocals and absolutely stunning guitar work” Dr David Skeele, Professor of Theatre, SRU Pennsylvania.
Song Review-
Next up are old favourites Durango Blue with their brand new single My Fault.
Anyone familiar with Durango Blue will know exactly what to expect - quality songwriting rooted firmly in blues and country traditions. However, My Fault sees the band subtly evolve their sound without ever losing sight of what made them so enjoyable in the first place.
From the opening moments, an impressive finger-picked guitar line sets the tone before a solid, driving backbeat pushes the song confidently forward. It is instantly melodic, instantly engaging and perhaps one of the most immediate tracks the band have released to date.
The vocals remain a real strength, delivering the melody with warmth and conviction, but this time there is a noticeable pop sensibility running through the arrangement. Add just a hint of funk into the mix and you have a song that feels brighter, fresher and perfectly suited to long summer evenings.
Thankfully, this new direction never feels forced or contrived.
Rather than chasing trends, Durango Blue have simply expanded their musical palette while staying completely true to their blues and country foundations. The result is a song that feels both familiar and refreshingly different.
The lead guitar work deserves particular praise. At one moment it channels the tasteful restraint of Eric Clapton before effortlessly shifting towards the adventurous, expressive style of Robbie Krieger. It is daring without becoming indulgent, constantly adding colour and personality to the song rather than simply showing off.
Throughout the track there are little musical ideas and subtle flourishes that reveal themselves with every listen, giving My Fault a depth that rewards repeat plays.
Bright, breezy and packed with effortless charm, this is exactly the sort of song you want playing with the windows down on a warm summer's day.
With My Fault, Durango Blue show that growth doesn't have to mean abandoning your roots. Instead, they've taken everything that made them such a strong blues and country outfit and broadened their horizons with confidence and style. It is another step forward for a band that continue to evolve naturally while keeping their identity firmly intact.
And if this is My Fault, we're more than happy to take the blame.
Song Review-
Up next we have two new singles from Scottish stalwarts Durango Blue, an acoustic rock, roots, blues and Americana duo based in the Scottish Borders. Formed in 2017 after a chance meeting and a shared love of American musical traditions, the pair have carved out a sound that blends classic influences with a distinctly British character.
First up is Calm Quiet Streets, which rolls in like the first warm day of summer. The weathered, soulful vocal tone immediately sets the mood and fits the music perfectly, giving the track a rich texture and authenticity. It’s instantly accessible, sitting somewhere between modern country – with shades of artists like Luke Combs or Mitchell Tenpenny – and the more rugged, bluesy croon of legends such as Joe Cocker or Tom Petty at his most stripped back. Yet there’s also a subtle British flavour running through the song, a hint of The Quireboys perhaps, which stops it ever feeling like a straight Americana imitation. The result is a blend of blues, folk and country that feels natural, warm and incredibly catchy. The duo wisely allow the song space to breathe, letting the verse unfold before delivering a standout chorus that stays with you long after the track fades.
Next up is new single Go With The Flow, which leans even further into that Tennessee-inspired sound while maintaining the duo’s signature laid-back style. Once again the weathered vocals and careful use of space become the defining features of the track. It’s relaxed but purposeful, mid-paced and full of character. The songwriting taps into the growing wave of modern country influence appearing across the UK, and with songs like this Durango Blue could easily find themselves leading that charge. The addition of slide guitar gives the track an extra layer of swagger, weaving effortlessly through the arrangement and adding that unmistakable rootsy charm. By the time the chorus rolls around you’ll be humming it along with them – and chances are you’ll still be singing “go with the flow” days later.
Together these two singles show why Durango Blue continue to stand out in the roots and Americana scene. Honest songwriting, great melodies and performances full of character make them a duo well worth discovering. And judging by these tracks, sometimes the best thing you can do is exactly what they suggest – just go with the flow.