by Chris Familton Surprisingly this is the first collaborative album from Lo Carmen and her pianist father Peter Head and hopefully it won’t be the last, such is its endearing mix of country soul and late night jazz. Primarily the songs are built on Head’s elegant and melodious playing and Carmen’s playful purr of a … Continue reading
Category Archives: Americana
REPORT: The Americana Music Festival 2013, Nashville TN
Laura Coates is one half of the Australian duo The Weeping Willows who visited the USA earlier this month for the Americana Music Festival in Nashville TN. Laura has kindly written a piece for us describing the enviable event from the point of view of a visiting fan and participatory musician. Andrew Wrigglesworth and I … Continue reading
NEWS: Winners of the Americana Music Honors & Awards 2013
The 2013 Americana Music Honors & Awards were held last night at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and featured performances by Milk Carton Kids, Roseanne Cash, Shovels & Rope, Old Crow Medicine Show, John Fullbright, Jim Lauderdale and house-band leader Buddy Miller, Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison and Stephen Stills, guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Buffalo Springfield’s Richie … Continue reading
WATCH: Jason Isbell ~ Travelling Alone
Here’s the official video for Travelling Alone, one of the many excellent songs on Jason Isbell’s 2013 LP Southeastern. Continue reading
LISTEN: Hawkshaw Hawkins ~ Rattlesnakin’ Daddy
Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time trawling through an excellent compilation called Hillbilly Boogie that came out on the Proper Box Set label in 2002. It’s a 4CD set and includes well known artists like Tennessee Ernie Ford, Delmore Brothers, Hank Snow and Chet Atkins as well as a ton of lesser known … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Basko Believes ~ Melancholic Melodies
by Chris Familton Swedish songwriter Johan Örjansson is the latest in a strong line of Scandinavians who manage to dial into authentic interpretations of folk and Americana. First Aid Kit, The Tallest Man on Earth and Kings of Convenience among others have nailed the melodic richness and vocal sensitivities of folk music and Örjansson is … Continue reading
LISTEN: Townes Van Zandt ~ Hunger Child Blues
Here’s Townes Van Zandt with a great full band recording of Hunger Child Blues, taken from the compilation In The Beginning (Compadre Records, 2003). The songs on In The Beginning were recorded in his first Nashville recording sessions in 1966 –predating the release of For the Sake of the Song by two years. Eight of these ten … Continue reading
SIX STRINGS: The Ramalamas
Sydney alt-country six-piece The Ramalamas have a brand new album Brass Razoo out this week and they are celebrating the release with a show at the Union Hotel on Sunday August 11th (4pm). Together for over a decade, the group play authentic Americana music and we were lucky enough to catch Chris Nielsen ahead of their … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Bonnie Whitmore ~ There I Go Again
Bonnie Whitmore (Denton TX) has a brand new album There I Go Again out now and it is a wonderful journey through country and sun-dappled soul and rock. Playing country music from the age of 8 means she has lived and learnt it and her songs flow effortlessly, overflowing with a sense of purpose, strength and … Continue reading
NEWS: Katie Brianna announces Melbourne show
Katie Brianna released a fine album in Dark Side of the Morning earlier this year that combines a melodic lightness and an emotional depth equally effectively. It is a record that grows and reveals itself more and more on each listen which is always the sign of a mature songwriter writing from the heart and … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Fanny Lumsden releases new single Sea Elephant School
Fanny Lumsden & The Thrillseekers have today released their brand new single Sea Elephant School ahead of their Timber & Steel + Post To Wire Presents East Coast tour which kicks off in Sydney next week at Soda Factory. Sea Elephant School is the first single to come from their next EP, scheduled for release in … Continue reading
ALBUMS: 2013 Mid Year Picks
We’re a bit off the pace with our mid year list of albums that have impressed us the most so far in 2013 but here they are. Some may not appear on our end of year list, many more will be added in the coming months and no doubt there are some we’ve missed. Here … Continue reading
WATCH: Basko Believes ~ If I Were To Love You
Basko Believes is the moniker of Swedish songwriter Johan Orjansson who is about to release his folk and alt-country album Melancholic Melodies at the start of August in Australia and New Zealand. We’ll have a review coming soon but in the meantime here is a taste of the wonderful writing and voice of Basko Believes … Continue reading
Post To Wire Presents: Mark Moldre ~ An Ear To The South Tour
Mark Moldre has been receiving some excellent reviews for his recently released album An Ear To The Earth and after an initial run of release shows he is heading back down the East Coast for some shows in September. Post To Wire is proud to present the tour which will take in Canberra and three … Continue reading
SIX STRINGS: Raised By Eagles
Melbourne band Raised By Eagles have just released their debut self-titled album via Bandcamp and it is one of those records that makes you sit up and tune in close to the speakers from the superb opening shot of Penny Drop. The shadows of everyone from Dylan and Van Zandt to Parsons, Justin Townes Earle and … Continue reading