Styrofoam Winos (USA)

Sunday 03 May / Start: 8:30pm

From Nashville, via Kilkenny Roots Festival, Styrofoam Winos play Ballina on May Bank Holiday weekend!

Described as front porch Americana at its best, Styrofoam Winos is the voltron of songwriters, multi-instrumentalists, and longtime friends Joe Kenkel, Trevor Nikrant, and Lou Turner.

A decade ago, three employees of JJ’s Market and Cafe in Nashville bonded over their mutual adoration for Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen, and dollar bin country records.

The trio formed in Nashville’s DIY scene and released their debut self-titled studio album in 2021. This was followed in 2024 by the alt-country twang of second album Real Time (Sophomore Lounge label). Standout tracks from the album include Don’t Mind Me , Magic Mind and Angel Flies Over .

On March 24th they released the single Pearls from the forthcoming new album 'Any River', 'released' (not 'dropped') on Dear LIfe Records on June 19th.

Styrofoam Winos’ recordings and live sets buzz with the energy of the band’s radically communal approach, rotating vocal and instrumental roles within their exploratory folk rock songs.

The band have also previously released a tribute album to the 'godfather of freak folk' Michael Hurley and appeared on the acclaimed MJ Lenderman’s And the Wind (Live and Loose!) album.

Lou and Trevor are also band members of the much feted Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band, who featured in many 2025 'Best Of' end-of-year lists.

Press Reviews

Styrofoam Winos create a shimmering, utterly sincere work of alt-country. Each of the three members, all impeccable songwriters in their own right, work in the vein of John Prine or Vic Chestnutt, painting vivid pictures of the world around them by weaving strings of words together that seem inevitable and organic. - Nashville Scene

‘With a lo-fi, ambling ease, Styrofoam Winos cruise through road-weary choogles; swampy, faded funkers; harmonica swept confessionals’ - Aquarium Drunkard

"Styrofoam Winos masterfully blend folk, country, and pop into a potent potion on new single “Pearls.” Like Yo La Tengo before them, the group’s ability to make mood shifts through genre is a delight, turning dollar bin desires into eclectic classics.

With a hint of twang and a radiator hum of New Wave, “Pearls” enters a new treasure into their trove". Raven Sings The Blues

“I've spent some high quality time with these Winos, and they and their music make me feel good.

It's a sweet alignment of forces, cooperative and collaborative.

Music City has reasons for reputations good and not-so-much; here on Any River we feel the sunlight-creep of solid vibes, carrying with them reasons to anticipate the forever-uplift of gentle groove.” – Bonnie “Prince” Billy

2026 Irish/ UK Tour

May 2: Kilkenny Roots Festival, Ireland (early show)

May 2: Bello Bar, Dublin (promoted by Foggy Notions)

May 3: NCF, Ballina, Co Mayo

May 6: Just Dropped In, Coventry

May 8: Fickle Pickle Club, Southend-On-Sea

May 9: Shacklewell Arms, London

May 10: Brudenell Social, Leeds

May 11: Castle Hotel, Manchester

May 12: Glad Cafe, Glasgow

May 13: Voodoo Daddy's, Norwich

May 14: Smokehouse, Ipswich