Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes have been slowly and successfully building their profile both here and internationally in both the alternative and commercial country scenes on the back of their album releases and live performances. The winner of the 2014 Golden Guitar for Alternative Country Album of the Year, The Age Music Victoria Award for Best Country Album, and the Australian Independent Music Award for Best Group has a brand new album The Mountain (read our review) out this week and below you can check out the video clip for the great first single “Afraid Of The Light’. We’ve just done a full interview with Lachlan which will be published in the coming weeks but in the meantime here’s a Q&A he kindly answered as part of our buildup to the inaugural Dashville Skyline Festival happening in the Hunter Valley on the long weekend, October 3-4th.

DASHVILLE SKYLINE TICKETS AND INFORMATION

Describe your most recent release in less than 100 words.

Our most recent release The Mountain is due out on September 25. It’s an album of quasi-country, postmodern Americana filtered through the muddy waters of New Orleans and the buzz of a Spring morning in Australia’s country music capital (Northcote).

How does your live show at a festival differ to a club gig?

The challenge is to make it like a club show – to bring people in – to make people feel like, instead of being in the middle of a pristine national park, we’re actually all crowded in a dank room with old carpet and velvet curtains. Cos that’s what everyone’s looking for yeah?

Describe your favourite festival experience.

My favourite festival experiences always involve camping. It’s a chance for me to showcase my inner Bear Grylls while eating the natural flora and fauna, sleeping in something bought from Kmart and dressing like an elderly millionaire-esse in the warmest, most ridiculous cardigan I can find.

What is your definition of Americana music?

For me it’s anything that conjures up the spirit of the great American rebel or outlaw. Music for good hearted people that understand the romance of a diner, the sex-appeal of an old beat-up car and the superiority of a guitar without a cut-away.

What’s your favourite Americana album of 2015 so far?

So far it’s James McMurtry’s Complicated Game but I’ve got a good feeling about Lindi Ortega’s album which I haven’t listened to yet.

Who are you most looking forward to checking out at Dashville Skyline?

For me it’s Bahamas – I’m really impressed with what I’ve checked out. I also haven’t seen Chris Pickering in a while and I love his stuff – and I’m looking forward to seeing Perry Keyes live too. It’s a very cool line up and I hope I can hang around for as long as possible.

What are your musical plans post-Dashville Skyline?

The next day I’m off to play at the Murwillumbah Country and Roots Festival – and then soon after we kick off a national tour to launch The Mountain.