Category Archives: Americana
ALBUM REVIEW: Matt Walker – Dobro Nada (2025)
Matt Walker has been quietly going about his business for three decades now, from his early collaborations with Ashley Davies, through his ongoing tenure as singer/guitarist for the brilliant Lost Ragas, his solo work, and as sideman for Tex Perkins— in his many guises. What typifies his playing is a kind of austere, unhurried precision, … Continue reading
Introducing Magnolia & Johnson Electric Co.
Will Johnson and the members of Magnolia Electric Co. release version of ‘The Big Beast’. Will Johnson and the remaining members of beloved band Magnolia Electric Co. have joined forces for new recordings as Magnolia & Johnson Electric Co. In September, Magnolia and Johnson Electric Co. will pay tribute to their work with the late Jason Molina and perform four shows in Texas, September … Continue reading
JAMES MCMURTRY ANNOUNCES NEW 2025 ALBUM
It’s always cause for celebration when one of the greatest living alt-country songwriters has new material on the horizon. James McMurtry has announced that he will release his new album, The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy, on June 20th on New West Records. The album features appearances by Sarah Jarosz, Charlie Sexton, Bonnie Whitmore,Bukka Allen, and more alongside his … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Magpie Diaries release new single ‘History’
NSW band Magpie Diaries return with a new single ‘History‘, an impassioned plea around the importance of knowing one’s history, the real history. The song possesses a wonderful dynamic mix of melancholic folk rock verses and the righteous, passionate chorus that drives the song’s important message home. The song centres on the belief that knowledge … Continue reading
Brown Horse (UK) announce new album and release new single
One of the great new bands that I came across in 2024 was Brown Horse who hail from Norfolk in the UK. Their debut Reservoir immediately impressed and from the sound of ‘Corduroy Couch‘, the first taste of their new 2025 album All The Right Weaknesses (April 4th), they’re set to follow up the debut … Continue reading
VIDEO PREMIERE: Keegan McInroe – Traveler’s Wind
Keegan McInroe is a writer, musician and international touring artist based in Fort Worth, Texas and I’m very pleased to be able to premiere the video clip for his new single ‘Traveler’s Wind‘, the closing track from his recent fifth album Dusty Passports and Empty Beds. The song is a drifter, a languid poetic sway … Continue reading
PTW FAVOURITE ALBUMS OF 2024
Another 365 days of alt-country, Americana, folk and rock ‘n’ roll gems to sink one’s ears into and these were the ones that hit the spot with me, inspiring repeat listens. There are plenty more of course, ones that I haven’t spent enough time with and one’s I’m yet to hear. You can click HERE … Continue reading
Favourite Australia/NZ Albums of 2024
Claire Anne Taylor – Giving It Away There’s so much new music that comes down the information superhighway, a veritable landslide of songs and singer-songwriters opening up their hearts and baring their souls. To be honest, most of it is bland and derivative and you have to wade through an avalanche of mediocre to find … Continue reading
VIDEO PREMIERE: Rufous Whistler – I Mean It
Last month I wrote about Rufous Whistler‘s single ‘Honey’ and now I’m very pleased to premiere the video clip for the new single ‘I Mean It‘, released this week. The song, detailing the complex journey of self-conviction, comes complete with a loping rhythm section and a really nice blend of mandolin, fiddle and bouzouki that … Continue reading
VIDEO PREMIERE: Luke Watt – In Plain Sight
Next week (Nov 20th) sees the release of the self-titled fourth album from Victorian folk/blues singer-songwriter Luke Watt and today I’m very pleased to premiere the video for the song ‘In Plain Sight‘. Luke cites artists such as Chris Whitley, Richard Thompson and Kelly Joe Phelps as influences and you can hear them in his … Continue reading
VIDEO PREMIERE: Skyscraper Stan – Talk To Me
Ahead of the release of his new single ‘Talk To Me‘, across streaming services and Bandcamp tomorrow (Oct 18th), I’m very pleased to premiere Skyscraper Stan‘s excellent new live/studio video clip for the song on PTW. Now on the exciting downhill run to the release of his third studio album, Those Were Days, out February 14th on Cheersquad Records & … Continue reading
SINGLE PREMIERE: Peter Baxter – A Thousand Dreams
Irish/Australian songwriter Peter Baxter recently released his new EP The Dark Familiar and tomorrow sees the release of the latest single/ video from it, ‘A Thousand Dreams‘, on Bandcamp, You Tube and streaming services. ‘A Thousand Dreams’ is a re-recording, with some new lyrics, of a song that first appeared on Peter’s 1997 album The Miracle … Continue reading
Victoria’s Rufous Whistler releases new single/video ‘Honey’
Named after the bird found throughout mainland Australia, Rufous Whistler (Vinny Russell) has released ‘Honey‘, his second single of 2024, and he and his band will be celebrating with a powerhouse, six-piece headline show at the Wesley Anne in Melbourne on October 31st – TICKETS Rufous Whistler’s sound bears a strong similarity to his namesake, … Continue reading
Dashville Skyline 2024 in review
DASHVILLE SKYLINE October 4-6th, 2024 Hunter Valley, NSW This was the tenth year of the cosmic country celebration that is Dashville Skyline, in the exquisite surrounds of Wonnarua Country in Belford, Hunter Valley, and it was another exceptional long weekend of music and catching up with friends new and old. A slight layout tweak meant … Continue reading