Simplicity done well makes for powerful music and this song from Nashville-based songwriter Henry Conlon grabbed us the second he started singing. One of those voices that sounds both powerful and emotionally wrought at the same time, it reminded me of the dark drama of Townes Van Zandt and more recently, Tyler Childers. ‘I’m Coming … Continue reading
I think in many ways we’d all like to erase 2020 and start again, but still with the release of the many great albums that came out this year. I’m guessing, like me, most of you found solace, escape, distraction and comfort in listening to music – new and old – to get you through … Continue reading
Lists! We have a couple for you as usual as we wind down at the end of another year. I won’t rabbit on about the trials and tribulations of 2020, the good news was that the music still came down the pipeline with the same amount of quality and reward. We’ll have our overall list … Continue reading
This Frontier Needs Heroes have been releasing music for over a decade and you can hear that lived-in feel in the playing and the maturity of the arrangement and sublime vocal melodies of singer-songwriter Brad Lauretti on this new song ‘South Dakota’. It’s a mix of gorgeous, folk-tinged vocals, the grit and electric twang of the … Continue reading
‘Halfway To Mexico’, taken from Abigail Lapell‘s 2019 album Getaway, is a beatifully languid and humid folk song that eases along on the back of her wonderfully expressive way with melodies that dance through the song. The Toronto vocalist, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist has released two acclaimed solo albums – Hide Nor Hair, her sophomore LP, … Continue reading
Drayton Farley (Woodstock, Alabama) is a new name to us but his voice caught our ear right off the bat. The lyrics fell into place pretty immediately too. Never over-forced, he balances the poetry and direct political commentary with a tasteful touch of melancholic country. The song definitely calls into the same camp as the … Continue reading
We love traditional folk and country music but when something comes along that puts a twist on the old and adds new textures, moods and flavours then we’re immediately drawn to their fire. Chris Portka does just that on this new single “A Candle Is A Raging Fire!” With the parched and emotive harmonica that … Continue reading
This killer tune from Robert Connely Farr had us straight from the opening lines… “If it was up to me I’d burn this fucker down, hit the road and not look back on this godforsaken town.” His delivery – burnished and brusque, forlorn and on the wrong side of good intentions – is perfectly placed. The … Continue reading
The Wicked Messenger is based around songwriter Jimi Beavis and bassist Janey Mac, who have surrounded themselves with a damn fine bunch of players, the most recognisable being Ben Franz on pedal steel. ‘You Don’t Love Me Anymore’ is a deceptively simple track that slays with its shuffle and pulse and the super hooky vocal … Continue reading
I’m digging this reverbed, rollicking sound from R McClure & Tall Shadows. The British Columbian has a great take on country music, adding a really cool, dreamy psych sheen. Lovely stuff. ‘Big Night’ rides a great shuffling drumbeat like the rush of a successful night mission. ‘Me And My Hangover’ slows things down but finds … Continue reading
As this song starts you’re drawn in by Appalachian songwriter Pierceton Hobbs‘ interesting drawl that curls around the vowels and twists them into interesting shapes. Then the band kicks in and there’s a wonderfully laidback yet deep feel to the groove. ‘Fawn’, the title track from Hobbs’ debut album makes for a really nice introduction … Continue reading
This week we’ve got a brand new track from one of our local Australian songwriters, Ben Leece (out on Monday). This single is a beautiful tribute to a friend who died in tragic and unsolved circumstances and is yet another example of the way Ben so effortlessly imbues his alt-country melodies and music with pathos … Continue reading
Daniel Young is a songwriter out of Salt Lake City, Utah who has been plying his craft for two decades now. It shows too. ‘Hold You Tighter’ is one of those effortless delights that gently tumbles out the speakers on the back of warm and mellifluous melodies, a voice inhabited by just the right amount … Continue reading
Following the release of ‘In The Stream’, which was in the top ten of the AMRAP Metro Chart for three weeks and is on high rotation on ABC Country, Australian Americana songwriter Mitch Dean releases the third single and title-track from Holding Back The Levee. Featuring guest vocals by Kevin Bennett, from revered Australia country-rock group The Flood, ‘Holding Back The Levee’ is a stellar example … Continue reading
As usual, a great county of new singles hitting the airwaves and digital universe this week. First up is this lovely duet between Kurt Vile and John Prine, recorded late in 2019. “Probably the single most special musical moment in my life,” says Vile. It’s part of a new KV EP called Speed, Sound, Lonely KV, out … Continue reading
