Album Reviews / Americana / Blues / Soul

ALBUM REVIEW: Lo Carmen & Peter Head ~ The Apple Don’t Fall Far From The Tree

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

Americana / Country / Features

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

Americana / News

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

Album Reviews / Alt-Country / Americana / Folk / Indie Folk / Stream

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

Alt-Country / Americana / Stream / Videos

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

Alt-Country / Americana / Country / News / Rock / Soul / Stream

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

Americana / Bluegrass / Folk / News / Stream

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