The last 12 months have been a bountiful period for Americana releases in Australia and New Zealand. From debut albums to notable EPs, collaborations to albums recorded on the other side of the world, there was something for everyone and most importantly it showed our local scenes are going from strength to strength. The music … Continue reading
Category Archives: Alt-Country
NEW MUSIC: Pony Face ~ Nebraska
Melbourne’s Pony Face have taken on the massive task of covering Bruce Springsteen’s masterpiece LP Nebraska – in full. They haven’t cut corners either, releasing it on CD, digital and Tri-Colour State Trooper edition Vinyl LP. On the evidence of this first clip for the title track it sounds quite magnificent and suitably dark and … Continue reading
PTW Favourite Releases of 2014
2014, what another great year for Americana music, especially here in Australia where the scene seems to be growing in leaps and bounds. An example of that was Love Police launching the inaugural Out On The Weekend festival in Melbourne with a smaller version in Brisbane and a ton of sideshows in Sydney. All reports … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: Josh T. Pearson @ Newtown Social Club, Sydney (16/10/14)
Josh T. Pearson used to conjure up fire and brimstone dramatics with his band Lift To Experience in the early 2000s but since then he has retreated into a solo career with one album and a reputation for intense and drawn out live performances of his songs. With the audience sprawled and seated across the … Continue reading
INTRODUCING: Amber Rae Slade
Amber Rae Slade is a Detroit Michigan native, now resident in Sydney, Australia and in the last week she’s posted the first taste of her music online via a couple of live in-studio video clips recorded with Matt Fell and by Michael Carpenter at their Love HZ Studio. Slade possesses one hell of a great … Continue reading
VIDEO: Eaten By Dogs ~ Hold On To Nothing
Eaten By Dogs’ self-titled album has been soon repeat around here for the last week. From a band name like that you’d expect raw, dirty country rock but these guys out of Melbourne excel and creating a great warm mood that is as reliant on immensely hummable and downright heart-aching melodies. They’ve released a couple … Continue reading
TOUR DIARY: Josh Rennie-Hynes – New Zealand Tour 2014
Josh Rennie-Hynes is currently traversing a large swathe of New Zealand on his first national tour across the Tasman Sea. Post To Wire is proud to be involved in the tour and Josh is kindly sending back some pages torn from his tour diary where he rates the local cuisine, ejects talkers, meets friendly canines and is … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Will Wood – Broken Man
In New Zealand over the last five years there’s been a noticeable groundswell of talented alt-country/Americana songwriters and musicians releasing albums to rival the best coming from overseas. Tiny Ruins, The Eastern, Aldous Harding, Bernie Griffen, Tami Neilsen, Marlon Williams and Delaney Davidson have all garnered hard-earned critical acclaim and many have links with Lyttelton … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Houndmouth ~ For No One
Houndmouth produced one of my favourite albums of 2013 in From the Hills Below the City. Now finally we get a taste of their next album, due in 2015, with this track ‘For No One’. It’s a Felice Bros-esque acoustic slow-burning song, heavy on imagery with a passionate delivery from singer/songwriter Matt Myers. Continue reading
SIX STRINGS: Spencer Burton
Spencer Burton is a Canadian singer/songwriter who like so many others these days manages a fine blend of country and folk music. Burton was a member of the band Attack In Black (2003-2010) with Daniel Romano, another great Canadian artist in his own right and the producer of Burton’s new 2014 album Don’t Let The … Continue reading
PHOTOS: Les Thomas, Darren Cross, Lisa Caruso, Not Good With Horses @ Petersham Bowling Club (09/11/14)
NEWS: Ryan Bingham signs to Lost Highway Australia
The expansion of the recently established Lost Highway Australia label seems to picking up pace of late with the announcement that Cory Branan and Lydia Loveless’ recent albums on Bloodshot Records will be released localy by LHA as well as the signing of Shane Nicholson as an artist and label producer. Now recent visitor Ryan … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: Robert Ellis, Jonny Fritz, James Thomson @ Newtown Social Club (23/10/14)
James Thomson opened proceedings with a strong set that showcased songs from his forthcoming album Cold Moon as well as a brace of covers including songs by Blaze Foley and Jimmie Rodgers. Thomson is a master of understated blues-based country and showed his ability to capture the audience’s attention with evocative lyrics, wonderful finger-picking and … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: Ryan Bingham, Harry Hookey, Tim Wheatley @ Newtown Social Club (14/10/14)
Aria award nominee Harry Hookey had the honour of serenading the early arrivals and he did a superb job of capturing and maintaining their attentiveness with an engaging set. Predominately folk-based with a dash of country, Hookey showed his ability to invest real emotion in what might be clumsy turns of phrase in lesser hands. … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Bonnie “Prince” Billy ~ Singer’s Grave A Sea Of Tongues
Will Oldham hits a real sweet spot on his thirteenth full-length release under the Bonnie “Prince” Billy pseudonym. It sits comfortably between his folk and country domains and is laden with austere poetic tales that explore the search for individuality and forging one’s own destiny. Nearly all of these tracks have been released elsewhere, primarily … Continue reading