Steve Earle & The Dukes Ghosts Of West Virginia New West Records The first sound you hear on Steve Earle’s new album is his solo voice, all gravel and grit as he leads a group chant which sits somewhere between the church and the railroad. It sets the scene magnificently for an album of songs … Continue reading
Recorded at the Butcher Shoppe Recordings Studio in Nashville and produced by Will Kimbrough, the new album by The Two Tracks is one of those consummate Americana albums that sounds like honey to the ears. Melodically the songs just roll along with melodies dovetailing into sublime playing, wonderful harmonies and strong songwriting all round. Right … Continue reading
You don’t hear a great deal of folk and country music coming out of New Zealand. It’s there for sure, and big names have certainly built local and international reputations (Marlon Williams, Tami Neilson, Tiny Ruins etc) but finding the next wave of artists can sometimes involve a bit of digging. This new track by … Continue reading
Courtney Marie Andrews Old Flowers Fat Possum Records / Inertia The evolution of one of the most consistently rewarding songwriters in recent years continues with this devastating treatise and rumination on heartbreak, despair and emotional renewal. Courtney Marie Andrews has taken the tried and true subject of the end of a long-term relationship and bled … Continue reading
Melbourne songwriter Sunset Stranger (Stephen E. Stanisic) has a brand new single, the final one ahead of the digital, CD and limited vinyl release of his new sophomore album Your Home Town on Friday September 4th. Previously recording under the name Eddie Nuardo, Stanisic has proven he’s a consummate songwriter and player, bringing an authentic … Continue reading
Here’s a beautiful new track from Darwin songwriter David Garnham. It’s an old-timey sway of a song that drifts along like a warm summer breeze. That lilting country melody and a chorus that paints a wonderful picture of life’s essentials. Garnham describes it as Jimmie Rodgers meets Jimmy Little. The song is the first taste … Continue reading
Adelaide country songwriter Matt Ward recently released a new single – ‘Tattoos, Trucks and Country Music’. It’s got a big, rich full-band sound with a streak of soul running through it. There’s a hint of ZZ Top in there too, along with the kind of strong and bluesy, country-rock production of contemporaries like Paul Cauthen. … Continue reading
Sydney songwriter Callum Wylie has a brand new single ‘Close To You‘ out now and it’s the perfect introduction to his forthcoming debut solo album Marfa. Callum possesses the grace and relaxed delivery of some of the greats as he blends the finest aspects of folk and country sounds into his own sound and style. … Continue reading
JAIME WYATT NEON CROSS New West Records Back in 2017, Jaime hit the scene via her Felony Blues EP which documented her rocky road through drug addiction and jail time. She’s taken that statement of honest and raw songwriting and put her name up in lights with its exceptional followup Neon Cross. Produced by Shooter … Continue reading
Swedish songwriter Nicky William has released his new single ‘I Fell In Love With Her‘, a minimal swoon of a song that recalls deep-voiced favourites of ours such as Leonard Cohen and Bill Callahan. The gentle sway of the song is an intoxicating and rich sound, propelled by warm, melodic bass and towards the end … Continue reading
Australian songwriter Riley Catherall returns with a new single, ‘Leave Me Out To Dry‘, the second release from a forthcoming full album. Catherall has a real knack and ability in crafting songs that sound lush and warm, yet they still resonate with a wonderful sense of space and poise. Built on the light dance of … Continue reading
There’s a woodsy, hypnotic quality to this new track from New York songwriter Rachel Angel. ‘Strapped’ quickly finds its pulse and the equivalent of circular breathing in the cyclical guitar. It’s wonderfully mesmerising as her ethereal voice intones and drifts across the speakers. It’s a bucolic Mazzy Star folk vibe that sparkles and floats along, … Continue reading
Sydney alt-country trio The April Family released their second album House Of Cards last year but they’ve already pooled their creative talents and written, recorded and filmed a clip for their brand new single ‘Fortune Teller‘ (Social Family Records), the first single from their third album, due out early in 2021. The song hits a … Continue reading
Some classic cowboy serenading on this new track from American songwriter Kyle Cox. There’s some Willy in the jazz-influenced, soft-shoe shuffle and a subtle doo-wop element that gives it an old-timey feel. Apparently the song was written for Cox’s 2.5 year old son – “Working through the emotions of everything in my life changing, missing the … Continue reading
