Vincent Flatt’s Final Drive bring a heady mix of honky tonk mischief, blues grit, and big-road storytelling to this year’s Motor Mule Americana Festival. We caught up with the band to talk influences, unexpected UK crowds, and why country music is hitting home like never before.
What first drew you to country/Americana music?
It’s different for all of us, really. But for Bertie, it’s the storytelling element of it. The idea of big open roads and dreams. And all the excitement that comes with it. For the rest of us, it’s roots in soul and blues music. It’s raw and real, and it’s about telling a feeling more than anything else.
Who were your earliest musical influences, and how do they show up in your sound today?
For Bertie, earliest influences would be Tennessee Ernie Ford and the like. Then, as he grew into his teens, Frank Zappa was a massive inspiration to him. But we all love the blues, and we all love proper, honky tonk country music that has a bit of tongue-in-cheek about it, and a little bad behaviour. Those influences show up in many ways: With the blues, it’s in the dynamic element, with the ebbs and the flows, and the ups and the downs; with Zappa, it’s in how Bertie interacts with a song and let’s the moment and the feeling dictate direction and its energy. As for the honky tonk, you’ll see. We just like having a good time.
What’s the story behind your artist name?
So, “Vincent Flat” is a type of motorbike handlebar. Bertie liked the sound of it — and rides himself — and decided to use it, just adding the extra “T” for some effect. The “Final Drive” bit was added because the band was supposed to be Bertie’s last go at the whole music thing. Thirty years or so on, it’s still going and he’s still having a good time doing it.
What does “country music” mean to you today?
It’s about storytelling. It’s about people. And it’s about finding a way to smile and laugh during the harder times in life. Something bad happens, find the fun in it and write a song about it. It’s an honest form of music, really. It’s simple, but clever in its delivery and way of painting a picture. For the band, we love seeing how it makes people feel. Many people will say they “Don’t like country”, and then when they hear it, they smile and move and dance.
Why do you think country/Americana music is resonating more with UK audiences right now?
It’s the result of many things. The world is smaller now, for one thing. In the UK, we used to have to wait months to hear music already released in the States. Now, click of a button and it’s there. That makes access to it more common. But socially, I think, despite the shape of the world right now, British people have always romanticised cowboys and southern belles, and all those wild dive bars. They’re exciting and edgy, and the people seem real and fun. Also, a lot of that sneer we had towards country music has gone now. It’s been gradual, with festivals popping up, and the music being used more and more in TV shows we see on Netflix and so on. It’s become commonplace to hear it every day. And I think we finally get it for what it is. And that’s awesome!
What have been your most memorable experiences since touring the UK?
For us, it’s always the unexpected. Like, playing our first show at the always fun Slim Jim’s in Angel, London. The room was filled with people of all ages, and the place just went off as soon as we started. Or, the gig we just did in Nottingham at Billy Bootleggers. Again, we didn’t expect that kind of response at a new venue, but it was amazing! We also just did a show at a pub, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, out near Market Rasen. It was a Sunday afternoon, everyone was seated, and we were a little concerned. But no, it was an absolute corker, with an amazing crowd of people who LOVE music.
See Vincent Flatt’s Final Drive perform on the Sunday of this year’s Motor Mule Festival. Taking place at Betteshanger Park, Kent, The Motor Mule takes place from 3rd – 5th July 2026. Please see full details and get tickets on the event webpage here.