Set for release on August 9th, the Justin Townes Earle 2xLP/19-track set ALL IN: Unreleased & Rarities (The New West Years) features 12 previously unreleased recordings and six never-before-heard songs written and recorded during Justin’s final years. A unique talent steeped in the storytelling of honky-tonk country and rural blues, he possessed the rare ability … Continue reading
Released late last year, the debut self-titled album by the duo Valley Road is a distinctly Antipodean folk affair, courtesy of both the lyrics and richly rounded accents of Rebecca Jane Howell and Marty Mckenna – two friends based in Central Victoria. The pair really understand the power of space and pacing in a song. They … Continue reading
Stylistic diversity is the name of the game on On, On & On, the 2023 LP from David M Western. This is just the Melbourne artist’s second album yet it sounds like he’s been at it for years. There’s a relaxed and organic feel to all of the songs across the record. Melodies hang and … Continue reading
MJ Lenderman has become a firm favourite around these parts with his indie slacker rock sensibility that leans into both prime time Crazy Horse and the ache and melancholia of Jason Molina. He’s pleasingly prolific too, with three albums and last year’s live record, alongside his work in the band Wednesday. Today Lenderman has announced … Continue reading
The Deslondes are back with the single ‘Take Me Back‘, their first new music since their 2022 Ways and Means LP. The new album Roll It Out will be released on September 6, 2024 via New West Records. Check out the first single ‘Take Me Back’ and its Joshua Shoemaker directed video clip. The band’s Sam … Continue reading
Australian singer-songwriter Michael Waugh takes an honest and unflinching look at a past relationship on ‘Beauty & Truth‘, the latest single (out tomorrow) and title track from his new album which will be released on June 21st on vinyl/CD/streaming via Compass Bros Records. Tracked with a live band in the studio of his long-time producer … Continue reading
Andy Golledge took his sweet time getting to the release of his debut album Strength Of A Queen in 2022 but he’s seized that momentum and his popularity as a live performer and swiftly delivered the follow-up LP, Young, Dumb & Wild. Mixing up soulful ballads (‘Siren’), baroque pop (‘White Rabbit’), heartfelt country rock, melodic … Continue reading
Dashville Skyline, my favourite Australian music festival, returns for its tenth iteration in 2024 and today they’ve revealed the first batch of acts for the Wonnarua Country/Hunter Valley NSW cosmic country weekender in October (4th-6th). In terms of personal highlights, across a very impressive line-up, The new Hurray For Riff Raff album The Past Is … Continue reading
William Alexander already has three albums up on streaming services, from back in 2018, but his latest, The Singing Stockman, sounds like an artist truly coming of age. The 27 year old is a working stockman in the Central West region of NSW and he sings with real conviction and classic country authority. Alexander is … Continue reading
Sydney songwriter Mark Lucas has been treading the boards of Sydney bars, clubs and cafes for roughly four decades now, since emigrating from England in 1981. Along the way he’s released something like 14 albums, both with his band The Dead Setters and under his own solo name. Barely a year has passed since he … Continue reading
Based in the misty hills of the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria, Australia, Fallow Fields are an alt-country ensemble led by the husband and wife songwriting duo, Danna and Rachel Simmons. Earlier in the year I premiered the clip for their single ‘Rocky Head Road‘ and I’m again very pleased to premiere the clip for the … Continue reading
John Moreland surprise released his new album Visitor last month and now he’s released the video clip for the single ‘Gentle Violence‘. Directed by Rahul Chakraborty, the video stars actors Jonah Lewis and Drew Pollock, who powerfully portray a family battling addiction and substance abuse. Moreland says of the song, “Gentle Violence is a song about a strained … Continue reading
One of my favourite Australian folk/country artists, Watty Thompson, has announced premiere screenings of Watty Thompson Live at Estonian House – The Film, captured in Naarm, Melbourne on the release of his acclaimed debut album in March of 2023. Screenings kick off this week with tonight in Lorne VIC followed by Thursday in Sydney and … Continue reading
“Is love still breathing or is this your way of leaving…” There’s been a great run of fantastic classic-sounding male voices making strides on the local country/Americana scene over the last year or two. I’m talking about the likes of Bud Rokesky and William Alexander, and now you can add the impressive voice and songwriting … Continue reading
Melbourne Americana/country group Elly McK & The Unbelievers released their new single ‘Bones‘ on streaming services back in March and now I’m very pleased to be able to premiere the video clip for the song on PTW. There’s a gothic noir aspect to the song that both contrasts and complements the upbeat rattle and quick-footed … Continue reading
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