Ahead of the 30th anniversary of their 1985 debut, Valley of Rain, the Howe Gelb-led Giant Sand have released the first taste of their new album Heartbreak Pass. ‘Transponder’ features Grandaddy’s Jason Lyttle and the upcoming album also has appearances from Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley, Grant-Lee Phillips, John Parish and more. Heartbreak Pass is due out on May 5th via New … Continue reading
Bayden Packwood Hine’s earlier releases were more rooted in traditional folk forms which makes this expansion into a beautifully ornate and intimate sound palette even more rewarding. He conjures up pastoral qualities via the instrumentation (woodwind, strings, banjo and many more) and wordless vocal harmonies that bring to mind wind, birdsong and other elements of … Continue reading
Glen Hansard was a close friend of the dearly missed Jason Molina (Songs: Ohia, Magnolia Electric Co) who died in 2013, establishing a friendship with him after writing a fan letter in the late ’90s. After Molina’s death Hansard sought solace in his music, getting together with ex members (Jeff Panall, Jennie Benford, Dan Sullivan, … Continue reading
My Morning Jacket have been quiet since their last album Circuital in 2011 but finally they’ve announced their new record Waterfalls will be released on May 1st via Capitol Records/Spunk. The first track to be released is ‘Big Decisions’, a typically widescreen song that draws from rock, soul and spectral psychedelia. TRACK LISTING 01 Believe … Continue reading
In terms of rock n roll myths and legends The Basement Tapes is one of the most fascinating. A songwriter unwillingly held up as a spokesman for a generation, and seemingly close to burning out in 1966, has a motorcycle accident and retreats to the rustic surrounds of upstate New York where he holes up … Continue reading
Joe Pug tours relentlessly, slowly building an audience across a number of countries with his country and folk infused songs. The 30 year old Austin resident’s new album Windfall is out April 3rd. Here’s the record’s first single featuring Pat Sansone (Wilco, Autumn Defense). “The aim on this one was very straightforward. We wanted to capture the … Continue reading
Nicholson has become something of a lighthouse on the Australian country music scene, bridging both the mainstream and alt-country scenes with his solo releases, albums with Kasey Chambers and production work. Now signed with Lost Highway as an artist and Staff Producer (incl. A&R), this solo acoustic live set is the precursor to a new … Continue reading
Shelby Lynne is due to release her 13th studio album I Can’t Imagine on May 5th and it marks her first for the famous Nashville Rounder Records label. The album includes two tracks co-written with Ron Sexsmith. Listen to the title track below. Tracklisting 1. “Paper Van Gogh” 2. “Back Door Front Porch” 3. “Sold the Devil … Continue reading
Many would assume that Lewis is well past his best years but this new album shows he is still in rude musical health at the age of 78. He delivers a tight and rollicking selection of co-writes and classic covers like ‘Little Queenie’ and ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ and brings on board a raft of guests … Continue reading
On her third album Humphreys continues to explore confessional folk music, this time with a dash of country thrown into the mix. Kasey Chambers produced New Moon and though there are elements of twang on songs such as ‘Read My Heart’, Humphreys is more of a fellow folk sister to Caitlin Harnett and Melody Pool. … Continue reading
Bob Dylan has recorded many covers over the years but never has he arranged and performed them with such reverence and austere beauty as he does here. Produced by Dylan under his pseudonym Jack Frost and recorded live with no overdubs, the ten songs are reduced to the essence of their storytelling form. Dylan’s voice … Continue reading
A quirky and eccentric voice instantly rises out of the swirl of delicate finger-picked acoustic guitar and wafting organ and instantly one is placed within the hypnotic surrounds of ethereal folk music. Think Nick Drake, Tiny Ruins, Vashti Bunyan and even a pastoral Portishead at times. Pratt’s light psychedelia has a sometimes lo-fi yet consistently … Continue reading
It was Ryan Bingham’s visit to Australia last year that made me a believer. Prior to that I’d shown mild interest but I’d written him off as something of a generic journeyman troubadour. On stage he flipped that preconception and reminded me how visceral and rewarding rock ’n’ roll can be when played with real … Continue reading
The Ravenna Colt is the current project of ex-My Morning Jacket guitarist and engineer Johnny Quaid. His second album Terminal Current is due for release on February 20th. Here’s the first single, the breezy sweet country sound of ‘Absolute Contingency’. Album pre-orders available HERE Continue reading
Calexico (primarily the duo of John Convertino and Joey Burns) have been kicking up desert dust together since 1996 with their distinctive blend of jazz, post-rock, country and Tex-Mex music. Their last album was Algiers (2012) and now they’ve announced that their new album The Edge Of The Sun will be released on April 14th via Anti-/City … Continue reading
POST TO WIRE 