Over the last couple of years, Melbourne-based New Zealanders Matt Joe Gow & Kerryn Fields have been writing, recording and touring together, harnessing the undeniable musical chemistry they have and channelling it into their sublime new album I Remember You. Right across the record, even when things get busier, there’s a wonderful sense of space … Continue reading
Category Archives: Alt-Country
Lo Carmen releases new single & video and announces new album Transatlantic Light
Sydney artist Lo Carmen has today announced that her new album Transatlantic Light, will be released on vinyl on Sept 13th and digital on Sept 20th. Self produced, recorded with her long time band The Great Beyond – Cec Condon on drums (Mess Hall), Ken Gormly on bass (Cruel Sea and Sam Worrad on guitar … Continue reading
New Charley Crockett album $10 Cowboy Chapter II: Visions of Dallas out July 22nd!
Less than three months after the release of $10 Cowboy, Charley Crockett will release his second album of 2024 this coming Monday, July 22nd. $10 Cowboy Chapter II: Visions of Dallas is a companion piece to $10 Cowboy, featuring 10 new songs and two fan favorites – ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ and ‘How Low Can You Go’ – … Continue reading
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings announce new album Woodland and release first single
It’s been a long time between drinks (13 years!) for a new album of originals from Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. She last released The Harrow & The Harvest in 2011 and Rawlings released Poor David’s Almanack in 2017. The new 10-song album Woodland (August 23rd, Acony Records) mingles full band tracks with intricate duet … Continue reading
NEW JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE DEMO FROM THE FORTHCOMING UNRELEASED & RARITIES BOXSET
Set for release on August 9th, the Justin Townes Earle 2xLP/19-track set ALL IN: Unreleased & Rarities (The New West Years) features 12 previously unreleased recordings and six never-before-heard songs written and recorded during Justin’s final years. A unique talent steeped in the storytelling of honky-tonk country and rural blues, he possessed the rare ability … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: David M Western – On, On & On
Stylistic diversity is the name of the game on On, On & On, the 2023 LP from David M Western. This is just the Melbourne artist’s second album yet it sounds like he’s been at it for years. There’s a relaxed and organic feel to all of the songs across the record. Melodies hang and … Continue reading
MJ Lenderman announces new album + releases new single/video
MJ Lenderman has become a firm favourite around these parts with his indie slacker rock sensibility that leans into both prime time Crazy Horse and the ache and melancholia of Jason Molina. He’s pleasingly prolific too, with three albums and last year’s live record, alongside his work in the band Wednesday. Today Lenderman has announced … Continue reading
THE DESLONDES RELEASE FIRST SINGLE/VIDEO FROM NEW ALBUM COMING IN SEPTEMBER
The Deslondes are back with the single ‘Take Me Back‘, their first new music since their 2022 Ways and Means LP. The new album Roll It Out will be released on September 6, 2024 via New West Records. Check out the first single ‘Take Me Back’ and its Joshua Shoemaker directed video clip. The band’s Sam … Continue reading
VIDEO PREMIERE: Michael Waugh – Beauty & Truth
Australian singer-songwriter Michael Waugh takes an honest and unflinching look at a past relationship on ‘Beauty & Truth‘, the latest single (out tomorrow) and title track from his new album which will be released on June 21st on vinyl/CD/streaming via Compass Bros Records. Tracked with a live band in the studio of his long-time producer … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Andy Golledge – Young, Dumb & Wild
Andy Golledge took his sweet time getting to the release of his debut album Strength Of A Queen in 2022 but he’s seized that momentum and his popularity as a live performer and swiftly delivered the follow-up LP, Young, Dumb & Wild. Mixing up soulful ballads (‘Siren’), baroque pop (‘White Rabbit’), heartfelt country rock, melodic … Continue reading
DASHVILLE SKYLINE ANNOUNCES FIRST ACTS FOR THEIR TENTH ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL
Dashville Skyline, my favourite Australian music festival, returns for its tenth iteration in 2024 and today they’ve revealed the first batch of acts for the Wonnarua Country/Hunter Valley NSW cosmic country weekender in October (4th-6th). In terms of personal highlights, across a very impressive line-up, The new Hurray For Riff Raff album The Past Is … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Mark Lucas – Magnetic West
Sydney songwriter Mark Lucas has been treading the boards of Sydney bars, clubs and cafes for roughly four decades now, since emigrating from England in 1981. Along the way he’s released something like 14 albums, both with his band The Dead Setters and under his own solo name. Barely a year has passed since he … Continue reading
VIDEO PREMIERE: Fallow Fields – Help Me I Need To Hurt You
Based in the misty hills of the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria, Australia, Fallow Fields are an alt-country ensemble led by the husband and wife songwriting duo, Danna and Rachel Simmons. Earlier in the year I premiered the clip for their single ‘Rocky Head Road‘ and I’m again very pleased to premiere the clip for the … Continue reading
JOHN MORELAND RELEASES VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE ‘GENTLE VIOLENCE’
John Moreland surprise released his new album Visitor last month and now he’s released the video clip for the single ‘Gentle Violence‘. Directed by Rahul Chakraborty, the video stars actors Jonah Lewis and Drew Pollock, who powerfully portray a family battling addiction and substance abuse. Moreland says of the song, “Gentle Violence is a song about a strained … Continue reading
WATTY THOMPSON ANNOUNCES LIVE FILM SCREENINGS IN VIC AND NSW
One of my favourite Australian folk/country artists, Watty Thompson, has announced premiere screenings of Watty Thompson Live at Estonian House – The Film, captured in Naarm, Melbourne on the release of his acclaimed debut album in March of 2023. Screenings kick off this week with tonight in Lorne VIC followed by Thursday in Sydney and … Continue reading