Like compatriot Delaney Davidson, whose new album we recently reviewed, Matt Hay is another Aotearoa/New Zealand songwriter who likes to cross musical lanes, albeit with more subtle combinations. His remit is country, blues, roots-rock, and Americana – the kind of sound that fans of John Hiatt, J.J. Cale, Mark Lucas and Mark Knopfler will recognise … Continue reading
Category Archives: Americana
VIDEO PREMIERE: PJ Orr – Bread
Sydney trio PJ Orr recently released ‘Guns n’ Money’, the first single from their forthcoming new album Wake Me When I’m Thirsty (Oct 25th) and now we’re very pleased to premiere the new single/video ‘Bread‘, which is out tomorrow (Sep 19th). There’s a brilliant rolling groove, filled out with jangly guitar chords as songwriter, guitarist … Continue reading
VIDEO PREMIERE: Arthur Ahbez – A Simple Medication
Ahead of the release tomorrow of Aotearoa/New Zealand songwriter Arthur Ahbez‘s new single ‘A Simple Medication‘, we’re very pleased to premiere the video clip that features Ahbez immersed in the NZ landscape under the Antipodean sun. The song is a brilliantly woozy slice of psych folk – wandering dreamily through space and time with woody … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Delaney Davidson – Out Of My Head
When it comes to the incorporation of ‘noir’ into country and folk music, the reigning king of capturing the essence of that sound in this part of the world is New Zealand artist Delaney Davidson. A prolific artist both in the recording studio and on stage, he recently released his album Out Of My Head … Continue reading
VIDEO PREMIERE: Fallow Fields – Lil Honey
Fallow Fields (Dandenong Ranges, Victoria) continue their run of great singles with the melodic, quick-stepping ‘Lil Honey‘, in anticipation of their debut album Rocky Head Road (Aug 26th). Out across streaming services on Monday August 26th, I’m very pleased to be able to premiere the song’s video clip here on PTW today. Creating an original … Continue reading
VIDEO PREMIERE: Caliko – Don’t Go
“I just wanna hear you say ‘don’t go’…” Based on the NSW South Coast, Caliko are a collaboration between singer/songwriters Vanessa Jade and Paul Greene. Jade wad first discovered by Kasey Chambers before being scouted by management team Winterman & Goldstein (Jet, The Vines, The Preatures etc). Since then she’s had a career working as a solo … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: The Smith & Western Jury – Hotel Texas
Victorian group The Smith & Western Jury dial into authentic, gothic-tinged and dusty twang on their debut album Hotel Texas. Theirs is a distinctly American border sound, where one could picture Calexico backing Eilen Jewell in a late-night honky tonk. Opener ‘Have Mercy’ tumbles and shimmers beautifully, with singer Samantha Lombardi making her mark instantly, … Continue reading
VIDEO PREMIERE: Jesse Lawrance w/ Honeytree – For Better Or For Worse
Castlemaine VIC songwriter Jesse Lawrance continues impressive with the latest in a run of singles he’s been releasing through 2024. I’m very pleased to bring you the exclusive premiere of the video for ‘For Better Or For Worse‘ featuring Jesse’s partner Honeytree on vocals. “‘For Better or for Worse’ is a real-deal duet between two … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Matt Joe Gow & Kerryn Fields – I Remember You
Over the last couple of years, Melbourne-based New Zealanders Matt Joe Gow & Kerryn Fields have been writing, recording and touring together, harnessing the undeniable musical chemistry they have and channelling it into their sublime new album I Remember You. Right across the record, even when things get busier, there’s a wonderful sense of space … Continue reading
Lo Carmen releases new single & video and announces new album Transatlantic Light
Sydney artist Lo Carmen has today announced that her new album Transatlantic Light, will be released on vinyl on Sept 13th and digital on Sept 20th. Self produced, recorded with her long time band The Great Beyond – Cec Condon on drums (Mess Hall), Ken Gormly on bass (Cruel Sea and Sam Worrad on guitar … Continue reading
VIDEO PREMIERE: Mark Moldre – I Saw You Last Night
Taken from Mark Moldre‘s exceptional 2023 LP Nambucca Fables, I’m very pleased to exclusively premiere the video clip for ‘I Saw You Last Night‘, a highly personal song set amid the grief and process of dealing with the death of a parent, in this case Mark’s mother. The video clip, rendered in black and white … Continue reading
VIDEO PREMIERE: Fallow Fields – When Your Love Is Over
Fallow Fields continue their run of impressive singles with the sweet and catchy sound of ‘When Your Love is Over‘, out on streaming services on July 29th and taken from their forthcoming debut album Rocky Head Road. Rachel Simmons’ voice has a touch of Dolly in this delightful classic country track, with a melodic pop … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Winter McQuinn – Move To The Trees
Winter McQuinn will be a new name to most but he’s had his hand in a number of other musical projects, including as frontman for the Melbourne band Sunfruits and drummer for Jade Imagine. On his debut solo album Move To The Trees, McQuinn immerses himself in cosmic folk-rock, where a pop sensibility meets psychedelic … Continue reading
New Charley Crockett album $10 Cowboy Chapter II: Visions of Dallas out July 22nd!
Less than three months after the release of $10 Cowboy, Charley Crockett will release his second album of 2024 this coming Monday, July 22nd. $10 Cowboy Chapter II: Visions of Dallas is a companion piece to $10 Cowboy, featuring 10 new songs and two fan favorites – ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ and ‘How Low Can You Go’ – … Continue reading
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings announce new album Woodland and release first single
It’s been a long time between drinks (13 years!) for a new album of originals from Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. She last released The Harrow & The Harvest in 2011 and Rawlings released Poor David’s Almanack in 2017. The new 10-song album Woodland (August 23rd, Acony Records) mingles full band tracks with intricate duet … Continue reading