‘Stone Me’ was the first single that Margo Price released in 2020 and now she’s posted the video for her second single ‘Twinkle, Twinkle’ and announced that her third studio album That’s How Rumors Get Started (Loma Vista), will be out May 8th. The album was produced by Sturgill Simpson and Price collaborated on most … Continue reading
Category Archives: Alt-Country
INTERVIEW: The Felice Brothers
UNDRESSING THE NATION In 2019, The Felice Brothers returned with some changes to their line-up and Undress, a new album that manages to address both personal and political concerns, all with their trademark poetic imagery and organic musicality. A year ago, in the aftermath of touring their album Life In The Dark, it was announced … Continue reading
INTERVIEW: Fallon Cush
THE ALT-COUNTRY ENIGMA THAT IS FALLON CUSH A strange name and an intriguing album title to match. Songwriter Steve Smith leads us into the shadows of Fallon Cush’s new album where its mysterious themes are matched a colourful sonic palette and infectious melodies. Fallon Cush – It’s a name that rolls off the tongue but … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Daniel Young – Pretty Soon Ain’t Enough (To Get You Off My Mind)
Three minutes into this new song from Daniel Young you think things are winding down, after a wonderful traditional country song built around that great title and chorus. But that’s just where things really begin to take shape, or gloriously lose shape, depending how you view it. The music builds and expands into a beautiful … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Hayes Peebles – When I Find My Love
New Yorker and Nashville resident Hayes Peebles has just released this brand new track ‘When I Find My Love’, which follows his excellent 2019 singles ‘Riding High‘ and ‘Riddle Me‘ which we’ve previously shared. It’s yet another slice of country folk that brings to mind that effortless melodicism of an artist such as Ron Sexsmith. … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Tracy McNeil & The Goodlife – You Be The Lightning
Tracy McNeil & The Goodlife You Be The Lightning Cooking Vinyl Australia Across four albums, Tracy McNeil has woven a wistful strain of Americana that conjures up US West Coast country-rock and Australian East Coast sun-kissed FM pop. You Be The Lightning is her most realised and well executed iteration of that blend to date. … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Sturgill Simpson – Sound & Fury
Sturgill Simpson Sound & Fury Elektra Records Sturgill Simpson’s last album, A Sailor’s Guide To Earth was a soulful, expansive and personal welcome-letter to his infant son. It was his first major step away from the traditional worlds of country and alt-country and showed he was someone prepared, and able, to follow his muse and … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Bone Idle Bros – Lately
The group harmonies and the rough and ready blend of country, bluesy rock and bluegrass from the Scottish group Bone Idle Bros are what caught our ear when we trawling the wild frontier of the internet for some new sounds. ‘Lately’, their second single, mixes things up but never overcooks things. It sounds just like … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Paul Cauthen – Room 41
Paul Cauthen Room 41 Lightning Rod Records Out of misery and heartache comes great art. That seems to be one of the great recurring themes of all the artistic mediums. On his new solo album, Paul Cauthen has clearly lived and by the sound of it, learned from a particularly low period in his life … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Dan Brodie – Funerária Do Vale
For a decade now, Dan Brodie has been a master at skirting around the edges of a number of musical genres. He’s taken from rock, blues, alt-country and rockabilly, combining them all into his own decidedly Australian take on rock ’n’ roll. It’s the sound of cold beer and back porches in the summertime, sweaty … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Billy Roberts & The Rough Riders – Special
Last year, Australian group Billy Roberts & The Rough Riders released their latest album The Southern Sessions and one of its highlights is this slow burning gem ‘Special’. Elsewhere on the album they dig into some bluesy rock ‘n’ roll territory, straight country rock and folk rock. With a voice that reminds me a bit of … Continue reading
FAVOURITE ALBUMS OF 2019
Another year and the end of another decade of great music. Time flies but at least we’ve got a great soundtrack. As ever 2019 saw some wonderful new music released. There was the return of artists who had been on a hiatus of sorts – Bill Callahan, Crazy Horse and most importantly… David Berman (R.I.P.) … Continue reading
FAVOURITE AU/NZ ALBUMS OF 2019
2019 delivered another bounty of homegrown treats in the form of full-length albums that captured the range and spirit of Australian and NZ Americana music. We encourage you to hit the links to read reviews, listen and buy any new discoveries you might make from our list of favourites, head to a show, buy … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Drive-By Truckers – Armageddon’s Back In Town
Great news as we coast to the end of another year – DBT have a new album coming on January 31st via ATO Records and here’s the first single from it, ‘Armageddon’s Back In Town’. The Unraveling is Drive-By Truckers’ 12th studio album and first new LP in more than three years – the longest gap … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Mail The Horse – Gimme Gimme
Ramshackle, loose-limbed and groove-heavy countrified rock ‘n’ roll is the order of the day on ‘Gimme Gimme’, the new single from Brooklyn, NY band Mail The Horse. This thing fair gallops along with a ramalama Stones feel to it, complete with horn-accented swagger and sway. The song comes from their new self-titled album which is … Continue reading