ALBUM REVIEW: Tracy McNeil ~ Nobody Ever Leaves
Album Reviews / Alt-Country / Americana / Country / Stream

ALBUM REVIEW: Tracy McNeil ~ Nobody Ever Leaves

Until recently there’s been something of a divide between pop-country and alt-country but now they seem to be finding common ground more often. Jenny Queen’s new album achieves that and now Tracy McNeil finds similar gold by mining the tried and true washes of guitar distortion, twang and tremolo that characterise melancholic americana with added … Continue reading

ALBUM REVIEW: The Yearlings ~ All The Wandering
Album Artwork / Album Reviews / Alt-Country / Americana / Videos

ALBUM REVIEW: The Yearlings ~ All The Wandering

Robyn Chalklen and Chris Parkinson are the core duo of The Yearlings and this, their fifth album, finds them at the top of their game. All The Wandering is the kind of album that fires melancholic shots straight to your heart. With weeping pedal steel courtesy of Lost Ragas’ Shane Reilly alongside a raft of … Continue reading

ALBUM REVIEW: The Felice Brothers ~ Favorite Waitress
Album Reviews / Alt-Country / Americana / Videos

ALBUM REVIEW: The Felice Brothers ~ Favorite Waitress

In the world of alt-country there are those artists who stick to traditional storytelling, instrumentation and playing, mixing that hybrid of country, rock and folk, often with stunning results from tried and tested ingredients. Others, like The Felice Brothers, are prepared to test out new musical waters, evolve and expand their sound. From their early … Continue reading

ALBUM REVIEW: Little Bastard ~ Little Bastard
Album Artwork / Album Reviews / Alt-Country / Americana / Bluegrass / Indie Folk / Videos

ALBUM REVIEW: Little Bastard ~ Little Bastard

  The last few years has seen Little Bastard gain a reputation as one hell of a live band, the septet causing raucous, drunken partying with their punk-spirited folk and bluegrass. Now they’ve finally stepped off the road to try and bottle some of that stage magic on their debut album. The good news is … Continue reading

SIX STRINGS: Jenny Queen
Alt-Country / Americana / Home / Six Strings / Videos

SIX STRINGS: Jenny Queen

Sydney-based US singer/songwriter Jenny Queen recently released her new LP Small Town Misfits which we summarised in our review as “A very good album that proves how catchy melodies and astute, substantive songwriting can successfully coexist.” Queen was kind enough to answer our Six Strings Q&A and give us an insight into her musical world. … Continue reading

VIDEO: Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes ~ You, Me and The Blues
Americana / Country / New Music / Tour / Videos

VIDEO: Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes ~ You, Me and The Blues

Taken from his Black Coffee album which won a Golden Guitar award at Tamworth this year, here’s Lachlan Bryan’s brand new clip for the track ‘You, Me and The Blues’, complete with swords, Elvis and a Tarantino-esque babe. Bryan is playing a bunch of shows with Dan Waters and The Weeping Willows under the banner Follow … Continue reading

ALBUM REVIEW: Jolie Holland ~ Wine Dark Sea
Album Artwork / Album Reviews / Alt-Country / Americana / Blues

ALBUM REVIEW: Jolie Holland ~ Wine Dark Sea

Jolie Holland has always operated outside the conventional restraints of folk, jazz and country music. She’s dabbled in and blended those styles and more but on Wine Dark Sea she throws them all in the air, managing to juggle and reconnect them (and others) in thrillingly madcap, visceral, primal and intellectual combinations. Instruments rattle, grate … Continue reading

SIX STRINGS: Darren Cross (stream the new single)
Alt-Country / Americana / New Music / Six Strings / Stream

SIX STRINGS: Darren Cross (stream the new single)

Darren Cross has been part of the music industry for the last two decades as a member of a number of bands, most notably 90s indie pop upstarts Gerling. He’s also a soundtrack composer, runs the music and video production company Bernstein Studios, has co-written with Jagwar Ma and is now one half of Jep and Dep … Continue reading

ALBUM REVIEW: Tiny Ruins ~ Brightly Painted One
Album Artwork / Album Reviews / Americana / Folk

ALBUM REVIEW: Tiny Ruins ~ Brightly Painted One

Hollie Fullbrook’s debut album and other releases as Tiny Ruins have been critically lauded, as have her many live shows over the last few years. Brightly Painted One, her long overdue follow-up to Some Were Meant For Sea continues the exceptional journey of this New Zealand singer/songwriter whose reputation is now one that spans continents. … Continue reading

NEW MUSIC: Marlon Williams ~ Strange Things
Alt-Country / Americana / New Music / Stream / Tour

NEW MUSIC: Marlon Williams ~ Strange Things

  If you haven’t heard the other-worldly voice of New Zealander Marlon Williams you need to fix that immediately. Below you can check out his new single ‘Strange Things’, released today and presumably from a forthcoming and much anticipated solo album. It’s a lush and beautifully haunting song with ghostly backing vocals that highlights Williams’ voice and … Continue reading