American singer who sounds like Elvis Costello?

It’s Kurt Baker , he’s from Maine not Austin

Kurt Baker Combo "(I Can't Help) Failing In Love" - YouTube

Yes, he does indeed sound like he’s channeling some Elvis Costello there. In fact, this link led me to a different song, a terrific cover of Cruel to Be Kind. I’m glad you shared this artist!

Heh, “Cruel to Be Kind” is the one song I always get confused as being an Elvis Costello song.

funny how I found him. Went to enter a URL and his wiki page was suggested since I visited that page before

Nick Lowe is another one who I’ve occasionally mistaken for Elvis Costello.

Lowe produced Costello 's first few albums.

And of course Costello famously and very successfully covered Lowe’s “What’s So Funny About Peace, Love And Understanding”. It’s one of my very favorite songs, a great recording (of course produced by Nick Lowe).

Compared!? They were the backing band for Costello’s debut album!

Wow, you’re right, he sounds exactly like Elvis Costello.

Heh, I read this far and thought “Travis”. Should’ve asked on the Dope :).

Ha! I probably did in the lost threads of the early 2000s. I should have repeated the call periodically.

I used to mix up EC and Marshall Crenshaw.

Listening now, their voices aren’t really that similar. I think their styles are though.

OP’s question has been answered but I think I might still be able to name the closest Elvis Costello soundalike yet:

Lowest of the Low - Do the Right Now

but they are Canadian which is like British but with a mostly American accent. :slight_smile:

Depending on the production, year, and type of song, often times Doug Sahm (of the Sir Douglas Quintet & Texas Tornados) sounds like Elvis Costello - or vice versa. He’s from San Antonio, not Austin.

Don’t know where they are from or the name of their singer but I’ve always thought this Parquet Courts song sounds like a lost Elvis classic. Great track, sorry I can’t be more help.

Crap. Someone beat me to it about the band. They were called Clover then.

The late Pat Dinizio (of the Smithereens) had that quality.

And Huey Lewis didn’t participate in those sessions.

I agree. I’ve always thought the vocals on many Smithereens songs sounded a lot like Elvis Costello. Just not as angry.