Tasmanian Phil Smith‘s latest album Into The Night is a real highlight of the Australian Americana albums released so far in 2023. If you’ve got a copy of the new issue (July/August) of Rhythms magazine you can read my full review of the album, or stay tuned for when it gets published here on PTW. … Continue reading
PTW is very pleased to have guest reviewer Heath Forsyth write this wonderful review of Adam McGrath’s Dear Companions, released late in 2022. Adam McGrath Dear Companions Independent What do you get for $10 these days? Schooner of Toohey’s New? Half a haircut? 500mb of phone data? How about a single iceberg lettuce to go with your cans of … Continue reading
Adelaide artists Matt Ward and Taasha Coates (The Audreys) have teamed up to record a new Matt Ward-written single ‘Two To Tango‘, out now on Bandcamp and streaming services via Heartland Music Australia. Musically, the song possesses a gentle swing and sway, bolstered by the gentle pedal steel serenade that adds a late-night dreaminess to … Continue reading
Sydney group Lady Lyon have a new single out today on Evening Records, ‘Friends In Hell‘, and it’s another wonderful release from the band. Bursting with countrified pop melodies, guitars anchored in catchy rock, a great electric guitar solo and Hayley Lyon’s joyfully melancholic voice. MusiciansHayley Lyon – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar Helen Henry – Bass Guitar Ross … Continue reading
Matt Malone is a singer/songwriter born in the goldfields region of country Victoria. He has formed his musical vision out of the blues, country, folk and gospel traditions of the American, British and Australian past. Malone’s commanding baritone and masterfully crafted songs have been compared to the archetypal Johnny Cash, African-American gospel preachers such as Blind Willie Johnson, … Continue reading
‘Sittin’ in the kitchen, a house in Macon Loretta’s singing on the radio Smell of coffee, eggs and bacon Car wheels on a gravel road’ Quarter of a century ago, at the mid point of 1998, Lucinda Williams released her fifth and best-selling album Car Wheels On A Gravel Road. It was an album that … Continue reading
Australian punk (The Gooch Palms) turned country troubadour Leroy Macqueen has released the emotive ballad ‘Stepping Out’, in honour of Pride Month. Possessing a rich baritone in the same range and with the same drama as Orville Peck and Elvis, Macqueen has been establishing himself on the local Australian alt-country scene with live shows and … Continue reading
Melbourne artist Yasmin de Laine is a new name for me but listening to her new single ‘Greensick‘, and the EP that it comes from, Each Heart Devours The Other, I’m impressed by the shadowy blend of folk, country and dreamy gothic pop that pervades her music. The haunting, mystical aura of de Laine’s songs … Continue reading
Our favourite Australian cosmic country music festival, Dashville Skyline, is back for another year in the idyllic surrounds of Wonnarua Country, Hunter Valley, NSW, over the October long weekend, Friday 29th September, Saturday 30th and Sunday 1st October. As usual they’ve dropped a superb first batch of acts for the festival, with many more to be added: … Continue reading
GRITTY SNAPSHOTS AND SAD BALLADS An interview with the the king of moving on, songwriter and author Willy Vlautin of The Delines. By Chris Familton In the wake of singer Amy Boone’s 2016 accident where she was hit by a car, there were a few years, during her long and painful recovery, where songwriter Willy … Continue reading
Sydney songwriter and musician Looch Lewis already has an EP and single under his belt but Whiskey Helps The Sun Go Down is the first release with his six-piece band The Press Gangsters and his first release on the local Stanley Records label. We’re very happy to be able to premiere the video clip for … Continue reading
Possessing a voice like no other and stories and songs that other songwriters would beg borrow and steal to get remotely close to, Malcolm Holcombe has had a battle with cancer, come out the other side and thankfully we have new music from the Western North Carolina artist. Gritty, earthy folk music and a side … Continue reading
Ballarat, Western Victorian songwriter Jeremy Beggs has just released his new spacious and graceful Americana single ‘Hurtful Ways‘, co-written and recorded with Matt Joe Gow, who PTW readers will be familiar with. For Jeremy, the song was written after a period of both celebration and challenge as he searches for the never-ending balance between career … Continue reading
Sydney songwriter Steve Smith and his band Fallon Cush are back with a brand new single, their first release since their excellent 2019 LP Stranger Things Have Happened. ‘Grain Of Salt‘ drifts along beautifully, richly imbued with space and grace – sonic props to producer/engineer Josh Schuberth in that regard. The band have always navigated … Continue reading
With her band The Pony Boys, Caitlin Harnett has been kicking up a storm on the live circuit these last couple of years. Pandemic be damned, the band have been scoring some sweet support slots (Orville Peck and Charley Crockett) and plenty of headline shows as they continue to build a devoted audience across this great southern … Continue reading
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