Long-time GDW readers know of our admiration for Hamilton alt-country rockers The Redhill Valleys, yet aside from a brief appearance as one of our Wednesday social media video posts late last spring, it truly has been a while since last checking in with the band. Featuring their single “Steady the Wheel” back in November 2023, so much time has passed since – so cue the perfectly timed arrival of a new single just last Friday to propel The Redhill Valleys back into the spotlight.
Unless you have been living under a rock between that previous feature and today, you’ll likely be aware that rhythm guitarist/vocalist Danielle Beaudin has departed the band to pursue other interests. Continuing to perform, but now as a trio, both founding members Tim Allard (guitars/vocals) and Chelsea McWilliams (bass/vocals), and long-time percussionist Matt Soliveri, share their first single release of 2025.
Fusing alt-country with blues and traditional rock and roll, The Redhill Valleys have consistently cited Neil Young, Tom Petty, and The Band as their primary influences – which frequently transpires during their live performances, whilst saturating casual observers in plenty of adrenaline and high-octane energy. With this latest tune, however, the trio offer hints of some newfound diversity to be found within their repertoire, and deliver this reimagined cover of “One Headlight,” the 1996 GRAMMY-award winning hit tune from popular California indie-rockers The Wallflowers.
“One Headlight is a song that has always resonated with us. The lyrics carry a weight, but there’s also a sense of movement, like something pulled you forward,” the trio share. “When we recorded our version, we wanted to capture that feeling in a way that felt honest to who we are. We leaned into the grit, the atmosphere, and the storytelling, letting it take shape in our own style.”
Upon learning of this cover, I had to consider how an established alt-country band would approach such an iconic non-country tune, but that fleeting thought was very quickly dismissed – this is The Redhill Valleys, after all. Whether performing originals or covers, the band never fails to stamp their own signature sound and style on every tune. Cue the opening guitar rings through to the arrival of Chelsea’s distinct vocals, the trio easily dispel any myth that mainstream radio hits cannot crossover the pop/country divide – and reimagine “One Headlight” as a legitimate, roots-filled Americana tune.
Having followed the career progression of the band, we recognize that this is simply just business as usual for The Redhill Valleys. That bringing a classic hit back to life is like saying ‘no sweat.’ Just another day at the office. “It still feels as relevant today as it did when we first heard it, and that is what drew us to it,” the trio adds. “Our own interpretation of the song always felt like pushing forward through the dark, and that’s something everyone can connect to.” Again, just another day at the office. Should we start deciding on lunch now?
Photo Credit: Andrea Hunter
The British guy that crossed the ocean and crash landed in central Pennsylvania (to quote Greg Keelor, “And I wonder what am I doing here?”). As the youngest of four siblings, exposure to music from a very early age nurtured my passion and appreciation for many musical genres. Continuing to discover some amazingly diverse and talented musicians based in Canada, I gravitate to live music experiences and remain devoted to spreading the word about such a vibrant music scene.
