James Thomson opened proceedings with a strong set that showcased songs from his forthcoming album Cold Moon as well as a brace of covers including songs by Blaze Foley and Jimmie Rodgers. Thomson is a master of understated blues-based country and showed his ability to capture the audience’s attention with evocative lyrics, wonderful finger-picking and … Continue reading
Aria award nominee Harry Hookey had the honour of serenading the early arrivals and he did a superb job of capturing and maintaining their attentiveness with an engaging set. Predominately folk-based with a dash of country, Hookey showed his ability to invest real emotion in what might be clumsy turns of phrase in lesser hands. … Continue reading
Will Oldham hits a real sweet spot on his thirteenth full-length release under the Bonnie “Prince” Billy pseudonym. It sits comfortably between his folk and country domains and is laden with austere poetic tales that explore the search for individuality and forging one’s own destiny. Nearly all of these tracks have been released elsewhere, primarily … Continue reading
Just when you think you’ve got a handle on all the great Americana albums that have been released in 2014 another one shuffles up beside you and taps you on the shoulder. Thanks to a recommendation from Spreading The Seed and their best of the year list I’ve been made aware and fallen under the spell … Continue reading
Doug Paisley has already released two superb records this decade with this year’s Strong Feelings and Constant Companion from 2010. No Quarter have just released a deluxe version of the former which includes a 7″ single with the A-side being this gorgeous track also featuring the voice of Will Oldham. Continue reading
Josh Rennie-Hynes is a Brisbane singer songwriter who released his debut album February in July. Produced by Shane Nicholson it’s an accomplished and mature set of songs that carry themselves with a nice sense of balance between earthy emotiveness and catchy hooks. There’s a carefree Australian flavour to much of Rennie-Hynes’ music as much as … Continue reading
Canada has always had a strong country scene which is too often overshadowed by their southern neighbours. In recent time Lindi Ortega and Corb Lund have released great records and now Del Barber, a new name to us, has just released his 4th album. Barber’s sound is a comfortable one that shape-shifts between folk, honky … Continue reading
On her long-awaited debut album Caitlin Harnett finds a lush and harmonious middle ground between folk and country music. There’s a lightness to her music and voice in the vein of the carefree sound that came out of Laurel Canyon in the 1970s, with Joni Mitchell an obvious touchstone. Strings, harmonica, organ and horns enhance … Continue reading
Marlon Williams has been crazy busy in 2014 with festival appearances, supports and his own shows. Now he has put together a band, The Yarra Benders, including Dan Parsons on guitar. The full band played the Out On The Weekend festival and associated sideshows and now Williams has announced his own headline shows for Melbourne and … Continue reading
Les Thomas is a Melbourne singer-songwriter, activist and blogger who has built a name for himself as a strong supporter of alt-country music in Australia. His songs resonate with themes of social justice and a desire to awaken social conciousness. He recently released his full length album Survivor’s Tale, a record that tells the story of those … Continue reading
Sydney songwriter Lisa Caruso has today released her debut EP Take A Walk and will mark the occasion with a release show at Ginger’s on Oxford St, Darlinghurst this Sunday (Oct 26th) evening. Joining her will be Andy Golledge and Katie Whyte. Caruso has also recently released the video clip for the track ‘I Will Be’ … Continue reading
Emma Swift continues to build on the critical success of her self-titled mini album with a new live performance clip for the song ‘Woodland Street’. It possesses the same magical sway and swoon of the recorded version but with more intimacy and poignant grace in this rendition with Swift’s regular collaborator Chris Pickering. Swift has a bunch … Continue reading
Sarah Humphreys has a new album called New Moon coming out on November 14th (produced by Kasey Chambers) and today she has released the video for track ‘Take Your Time’. The song is a war cry, a statement of intent/contentment, the reality of a gigging musician and the importance of the simple joys in life. Continue reading
As the incredible list of Americana acts visiting our shores continues (courtesy of Love Police and Out On The Weekend), last night saw contrasting shades of alt-country serenade the Newtown Social Club and a room full of music and media who’s who of the Sydney Americana scene (Emma Swift, Jep & Dep, Fanny Lumsden, Bernard … Continue reading
Shotgun Betty are an indie folk/bluegrass quartet of out of Lake Worth, Florida – not a place where we hear a lot of this stuff coming from, though that doesn’t mean there isn’t a great local scene there. Shotgun Betty are currently working on a five track EP but in the meantime you can check out … Continue reading
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