Gothic, psych country. Forthcoming album mixed by Mitch Easter E.Z. Shakes aren’t afraid to inject some darkness and rabble-rousing noise into their gothic country sound. On ‘Making Mistakes’ there’s a generous use of reverb to give the song a brooding, ghostly feel that works beautifully. The Columbia, South Carolina group, who are getting ready to … Continue reading
‘Tail Lights’ is the recently released new single from Melbourne alt-country band Paper Jane, taken from their new album Across The Reservoir. It’s the looseness and lazy (in a good way) feel of this song that makes it hit the spot so sweetly. It’s dusty and forlorn, world weary and perfectly in-the-pocket. The album, available … Continue reading
Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker announces two new albums, songs and instrumentals, out Friday 23 October, and today presents a new single, ‘anything’. ‘anything’ is a look into Lenker’s introspective and quietly magical catalogue. Backed by soft fingerpicking, Lenker’s magnetic voice references a flurry of memories and beautiful imagery – a hot sun, juicy mango, family fighting on Christmas eve, a circle of trees. It’s … Continue reading
How great is this?! Straight down the line, authentic, git-down honky-tonk, from the saloon floor straight to you. The Reeves Brothers rip and swing with some great guitar, piano and pedal-steel playing on this song. ‘100 Proof Honky-Tonk‘ is the lastest single from the Las Vegas, NV-based group centred around Matt and Cole Reeves. The … Continue reading
Steve Earle & The Dukes Ghosts Of West Virginia New West Records The first sound you hear on Steve Earle’s new album is his solo voice, all gravel and grit as he leads a group chant which sits somewhere between the church and the railroad. It sets the scene magnificently for an album of songs … Continue reading
Recorded at the Butcher Shoppe Recordings Studio in Nashville and produced by Will Kimbrough, the new album by The Two Tracks is one of those consummate Americana albums that sounds like honey to the ears. Melodically the songs just roll along with melodies dovetailing into sublime playing, wonderful harmonies and strong songwriting all round. Right … Continue reading
You don’t hear a great deal of folk and country music coming out of New Zealand. It’s there for sure, and big names have certainly built local and international reputations (Marlon Williams, Tami Neilson, Tiny Ruins etc) but finding the next wave of artists can sometimes involve a bit of digging. This new track by … Continue reading
Courtney Marie Andrews Old Flowers Fat Possum Records / Inertia The evolution of one of the most consistently rewarding songwriters in recent years continues with this devastating treatise and rumination on heartbreak, despair and emotional renewal. Courtney Marie Andrews has taken the tried and true subject of the end of a long-term relationship and bled … Continue reading
Melbourne songwriter Sunset Stranger (Stephen E. Stanisic) has a brand new single, the final one ahead of the digital, CD and limited vinyl release of his new sophomore album Your Home Town on Friday September 4th. Previously recording under the name Eddie Nuardo, Stanisic has proven he’s a consummate songwriter and player, bringing an authentic … Continue reading
November 25th, 2008 at the Annandale Hotel in Sydney Australia. That was first time I got to see Justin Townes Earle live and like so many others in the audience that night (as discussed with friends new and old over the ensuing years) I was transfixed by Justin’s performance. In my review I said “Eyes … Continue reading
Here’s a beautiful new track from Darwin songwriter David Garnham. It’s an old-timey sway of a song that drifts along like a warm summer breeze. That lilting country melody and a chorus that paints a wonderful picture of life’s essentials. Garnham describes it as Jimmie Rodgers meets Jimmy Little. The song is the first taste … Continue reading
Adelaide country songwriter Matt Ward recently released a new single – ‘Tattoos, Trucks and Country Music’. It’s got a big, rich full-band sound with a streak of soul running through it. There’s a hint of ZZ Top in there too, along with the kind of strong and bluesy, country-rock production of contemporaries like Paul Cauthen. … Continue reading
Sydney songwriter Callum Wylie has a brand new single ‘Close To You‘ out now and it’s the perfect introduction to his forthcoming debut solo album Marfa. Callum possesses the grace and relaxed delivery of some of the greats as he blends the finest aspects of folk and country sounds into his own sound and style. … Continue reading
JAIME WYATT NEON CROSS New West Records Back in 2017, Jaime hit the scene via her Felony Blues EP which documented her rocky road through drug addiction and jail time. She’s taken that statement of honest and raw songwriting and put her name up in lights with its exceptional followup Neon Cross. Produced by Shooter … Continue reading
