The high-quality overload of Americana music in Sydney this week continued with a triple serving at The Basement that traversed country, folk and the cosmic musical universe of Robert Ellis. Last time he played here back in July, Joshua Hedley made solid headway through a bottle of whiskey during his set, the jokes and banter … Continue reading
After last year’s cancelled Sydney leg of the Out On The Weekend festival it was always unlikely we’d get another chance in 2016 but we do still get the consolation prize of some fine headline shows by the various artists from the Melbourne event. Callum Wylie had the task of serenading the slowly arriving punters. … Continue reading
This is album number three for Sydney quintet The Ramalamas and it finds them successfully capturing their live sound in the studio. There’s a relaxed atmosphere and looseness of playing – in the best possible sense – that defines the spirit the band has, making this a freewheeling and fun album to listen, dance and … Continue reading
Losing a founding member can often throw a band wildly off course but in The Ramalamas’ case it opened up their sound and allowed them to draw on a wider set of influences for their third album East Coast Low. “The first two albums were very much in a country-rock vein and on this one … Continue reading
With The Audreys on a short hiatus, Taasha Coates took the opportunity to record her debut solo album. Ahead of USA shows and an Australian tour she spoke with Chris Familton about the musical journey – from songwriting to the studio. “I just want to be the dirty old granny of Australian country music – Lucinda … Continue reading
Here’s a fantastic looking project out of Melbourne that is set for release on November 22nd. Warm Evenings, Pale Mornings is masterminded by Fraser Montgomery at The Aviary Recording Studio and Creative Hub. He’s brought together a bunch of fine musicians and songwriters to record the album straight to 2″ tape, with each artist covering another … Continue reading
Over their career The Felice Brothers have applied broad brushstrokes to the Americana genre. They embody the rich meeting point of country, folk and bluegrass music – where the song comes first and the style is the framework upon which it sits. The latest album feels their most relaxed and natural in years. It rolls … Continue reading
Emma Swift has been based in Nashville in recent times but she still gets back to Australia and this time round she’ll be playing shows with partner Robyn Hitchcock. The shows will feature a solo set by Hitchcock with Swift joining him for a series of duets. The other exciting news is that the pair … Continue reading
Henry Wagons is a veritable man for all seasons – singer, songwriter, guitarist, bandleader,TV host, raconteur and more. Currently he’s traveling the country promoting this years fine solo album After What I Did Last Night and he took the time to answer our PTW Q&A questions. Check the tour dates below (co-presented by PTW) and … Continue reading
One her 2013 album Dark Side Of The Morning Katie Brianna seemed to find her voice and settle into her own songwriting. Now in 2016 she has taken that self-belief, crafted an even stronger set of songs and produced a world class album of soulful country-tinged music. With production courtesy of Shane Nicholson, the album … Continue reading
Sturgill Simpson might be pegged as the renaissance man of modern country music but there’s a strong case for Texan Robert Ellis as the true heir to that throne. Over four albums he has progressively distanced himself from traditional country and delved deeper and deeper into a rich exploratory style of confessional songwriting. On this … Continue reading
After two decades as a musician, Darren Cross is finally releasing his debut solo album _Xantastic. It is his personal view of the world around him and in his typically unique fashion it draws influence from two seemingly contrasting musical styles in Bruce Springsteen and Kraftwerk. Sitting opposite Darren Cross in the Annandale Hotel … Continue reading
Country music has always excelled at capturing the pain and loneliness of heartache and doomed and failed romance. Here at PTW we co-curate a monthly live gig called Heartbreaker Sessions and we thought we’d ask some of the artists appearing to choose a few of their favourite songs that capture that feeling. First up we’ve … Continue reading
Melbourne’s Lost Ragas have followed up their excellent Trans Atlantic Highway LP with a new 7″ honouring the memory of friend and fellow musician James Cruickshank (The Cruel Sea) who died a year ago. Where James Once Played is a co-write between Ragas’ Matt Walker and musician Neil Murray who was staying with Walker when … Continue reading
Darren Cross made his name as a founding member of collage pop provocateurs Gerling but these days he’s one half of folk noir duo Jep and Dep and a solo artist trading in dark avant-folk. Surprisingly, this is Cross’ debut solo album and in many ways it embraces his past and present musical explorations with … Continue reading
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