There’s a strong John Prine sound and vibe on this new track from John John Brown, taken from his second album Americana Comics. He even references Prine in the song, a gently drifting and softly propulsive slice of country folk that hits the spot between laidback and warmly poetic. Lovely stuff. The song “tells the … Continue reading
This Frontier Needs Heroes have been releasing music for over a decade and you can hear that lived-in feel in the playing and the maturity of the arrangement and sublime vocal melodies of singer-songwriter Brad Lauretti on this new song ‘South Dakota’. It’s a mix of gorgeous, folk-tinged vocals, the grit and electric twang of the … Continue reading
‘Halfway To Mexico’, taken from Abigail Lapell‘s 2019 album Getaway, is a beatifully languid and humid folk song that eases along on the back of her wonderfully expressive way with melodies that dance through the song. The Toronto vocalist, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist has released two acclaimed solo albums – Hide Nor Hair, her sophomore LP, … Continue reading
Like Tom Petty jamming with Cutting Crew circa 1985, Aaron Lee Tasjan has fully embraced synth sounds, alongside his power-pop guitar aesthetic on this slice of cosmic pop. It works in a playful way too, with hooks aplenty. Kaleidoscopic Americana? Discussing the song, Tasjan says, “‘Up All Night’ is half party anthem, half cautionary tale. … Continue reading
‘Fortune’ is the closing track on Norwegian singer-songwriter Juni Habel‘s new album All Ears. The folk artist has a beautiful folk tone and temperament which is balanced between the twee and arcane. She shares similarities with the bewitching sounds of early Aldous Harding as well as Big Thief and Tiny Ruins. The interplay between her … Continue reading
Drayton Farley (Woodstock, Alabama) is a new name to us but his voice caught our ear right off the bat. The lyrics fell into place pretty immediately too. Never over-forced, he balances the poetry and direct political commentary with a tasteful touch of melancholic country. The song definitely calls into the same camp as the … Continue reading
Hot nights and a sultry blues rock groove are the order of the day on this new track from Indiana-based David Quinn. We last wrote about Quinn when he released his excellent album Wanderin’ Fool last year. This year’s new album Letting Go finds him broadening his sound and continuing his rich vein of songwriting. … Continue reading
Lately I’ve been listening to and writing about the sound of ambient country music. I guess it’s the state of the world – but quieter, more ruminative and relaxing sounds have become even more important than ever of late. There are the traditional ambient go-to’s such as Eno, Harold Budd, Jon Hassall, Williams Basinski and … Continue reading
We’re excited to be able to bring you the video premiere of the new single and opening track from Australian-American singer-songwriter and poet Natalie D-Napoleon‘s brand new album You Wanted to Be the Shore but Instead You Were the Sea. Just prior to her permanent return to Australia late last year, D-Napoleon, recorded her fourth … Continue reading
We love traditional folk and country music but when something comes along that puts a twist on the old and adds new textures, moods and flavours then we’re immediately drawn to their fire. Chris Portka does just that on this new single “A Candle Is A Raging Fire!” With the parched and emotive harmonica that … Continue reading
This killer tune from Robert Connely Farr had us straight from the opening lines… “If it was up to me I’d burn this fucker down, hit the road and not look back on this godforsaken town.” His delivery – burnished and brusque, forlorn and on the wrong side of good intentions – is perfectly placed. The … Continue reading
Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada songwriter David James Allen is a man for all seasons. He cites some of his skills as graphic artist, DIY record producer and poet and he clearly takes that polymorphic approach with his music; effortlessly blending country, folk, psych and pop sounds into a wonderful kaleidoscopic sound that could easily … Continue reading
The Wicked Messenger is based around songwriter Jimi Beavis and bassist Janey Mac, who have surrounded themselves with a damn fine bunch of players, the most recognisable being Ben Franz on pedal steel. ‘You Don’t Love Me Anymore’ is a deceptively simple track that slays with its shuffle and pulse and the super hooky vocal … Continue reading
Jazz and Americana. It’s been melded many a time before – from the streets of New Orleans to the beautiful fusion of artists like Bill Frisell. This track from Oskar Schönning & The Calle Stenman Quintet feat. Sara Parkman is another that does just that, with an effortless and relaxed approach that’s full of dusty … Continue reading
A LEAP FOR INDEPENDENCE Catherine Britt is beginning the exciting next phase of her twenty year career with her new album Home Truths, the first release on her own record label. by Chris Familton It’s a strange time in the world when you have to quickly pack up your things, gather your family and hightail … Continue reading
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