LIVE REVIEW: Dashville Skyline Festival 2017

Posted on October 9, 2017 by Doubtful Sounds • Leave a comment

Now in its third year, Belford’s Dashville Skyline is fast becoming a fixture on the alt-country, psych and rock’n’roll calendar, this year showcasing artists from Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Ireland. Only 2.5 hours north of Sydney, it all comes together on the Johnston family farm, with the festival (plus Gum Ball and Thrashville) managed … Continue reading →

Americana / Bluegrass / Country / Folk / Interviews / News

INTERVIEW: Old Crow Medicine Show

Posted on October 3, 2017 by Doubtful Sounds • Leave a comment

SELLING THE SNAKE OIL Old Crow Medicine Show are nearing their 20th year as a band and ahead of their Australian tour, Ketch Secor explains to Chris Familton how they came to celebrate a famous Dylan album, why he was recently called by Johnny Cash’s son and he reveals they have a new album due … Continue reading →

Album Artwork / Album Reviews / Bluegrass / Country / Folk / Videos

ALBUM REVIEW: Davidson Brothers – All You Need Is Music

Posted on September 13, 2017 by Doubtful Sounds • Leave a comment

The brothers are back with another album of bluegrass, folk and country music in their laconic, easy-going style. At times the songs themselves dip into bland and cliched lyrical territory but if you can get past that, take a long drive or kick back on a sunny afternoon and relish the exceptional musicianship on display. … Continue reading →

Alt-Country / Americana / Bluegrass / Country / Folk / Interviews

INTERVIEW: David Rawlings

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Doubtful Sounds • Leave a comment

David Rawlings recently released his third solo LP, Poor David’s Almanack, and on the eve of it’s release he phoned in from a sunny summer’s day in Nashville to chat with Chris Familton about the creation of the new record, his name change and memories of his and Gillian Welch’s 2016 Australian tour. How quickly … Continue reading →

Americana / Bluegrass / Blues / Country / Folk / Interviews / Six Strings / Tour

SIX STRINGS: Justin Bernasconi

Posted on May 16, 2017 by Doubtful Sounds • Leave a comment

On May 19th, Justin Bernasconi releases Barefoot Wonderland, his second and fine new album of folk guitar music that explores bluegrass, country, the American Primitive style, folk and the blues. It’s a wonderful blend of English and American styles and a showcase for his exemplary playing – full of colour, control and tone, mixed with strong … Continue reading →

Bluegrass / Country / Folk / Gig Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Willie Watson

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Doubtful Sounds • Leave a comment

Willie Watson + My Bubba + Imogen Clark @ Factory Theatre, Sydney March 16th 2017 To a smattering of punctual punters, Imogen Clark, accompanied by her father on bass, rode a wave of post-Nashville jet lag to showcase songs from her debut album and a preview of her next one. She’s a bubbly, confident performer … Continue reading →

Album Artwork / Album Reviews / Bluegrass / Country / Folk

ALBUM REVIEW: The Morrisons – The Morrisons

Posted on April 5, 2017 by Doubtful Sounds • Leave a comment

A long-time fixture on the Sydney folk music scene, The Morrisons have finally released their debut album and it both cements their status as a highly accomplished group of players and highlights the strength of their songwriting. Jimmy Daley contributes most of the songs with James Morrison penning three, before they round out the album … Continue reading →

Americana / Bluegrass / Folk / Interviews / Six Strings / Stream

SIX STRINGS: The Morrisons

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Doubtful Sounds • Leave a comment

It feels like the week of The Morrisons around here. With their new self-titled album garnering great reviews they’re back in Sydney for their album launch this Sunday night (March 12th) at Newtown Social Club with guests Andy Golledge Band and Women’s Auxiliary Choir plus I’ll be spinning folk and alt-country tunes between sets. In fact … Continue reading →

Album Reviews / Americana / Bluegrass / Blues / Country / Videos

ALBUM REVIEW: Kasey Chambers – Dragonfly (plus giveaway!)

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Doubtful Sounds • 3 Comments

Double albums certainly aren’t in vogue these days but Kasey Chambers, Australia’s queen of Americana music, isn’t one to shortchange her muse. Dragonfly covers two recording sessions, the first helmed by Paul Kelly and the second by brother Nash Chambers. The first disc covers a range of styles, from the throwaway ‘Talkin’ Baby Blues’ to … Continue reading →

Americana / Bluegrass / Folk / News / Stream / Tour

NEWS: The Morrisons Release and Tour Debut LP

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Doubtful Sounds • Leave a comment

The Morrisons have been a mainstay of the local Sydney Americana scene for a number of years now. They’ve played headline shows, supports, festivals and performed special tributes such as their acclaimed Brother Where Art Thou shows. Now they’ve finally released their debut, self-titled album and it both cements their status as a highly accomplished group … Continue reading →

Album Artwork / Album Reviews / Americana / Bluegrass / Blues / Folk / Stream

ALBUM REVIEW: Freya Josephine Hollick – The Unceremonious Junking Of Me

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Doubtful Sounds • Leave a comment

Born of a fractured and unsalvageable relationship, yet blessed by the birth of a child, Freya Josephine Hollick’s second album is a deep emotional record that sounds at times desperate and fragile, yet often also defiant and optimistic. The album dials into a sound of pure, unadorned folk and lonesome country music. With just three … Continue reading →

Album Artwork / Album Reviews / alt.country / Americana / Bluegrass / Country / Folk / Stream

ALBUM REVIEW: Gillian Welch – Boots No. 1 The Official Revival Bootleg

Posted on December 16, 2016 by Doubtful Sounds • Leave a comment

It’s been five years since Gillian Welch released a new solo LP, though I guess we’ve been half-satiated with the recent Dave Rawlings Machine album. One hopes that this release is a stopgap collection to both celebrate the 20th anniversary of her debut Revival and reinvigorate her catalogue ahead of a new solo album. This … Continue reading →

Alt-Country / Americana / Bluegrass / Country / Folk / Interviews

INTERVIEW: Nick Payne

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Doubtful Sounds • Leave a comment

Taking the leap from being part of a band to standing on one’s own feet as a solo performer had never occurred to Dear Orphans’ Nick Payne. When it was suggested, he decided to approach the Rise Up Like A River project with 100% commitment and passion. As a founding member (with partner Lyn Taylor) … Continue reading →

Americana / Bluegrass / Folk / Interviews

INTERVIEW: The Brothers Comatose

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Doubtful Sounds • Leave a comment

ALL STRUNG OUT Californian bluegrass exponents The Brothers Comatose are constantly on the road, visiting interesting places and mixing lifestyle with their job as working musicians. On the back of their appearance at this year’s Dashville Skyline festival, Chris Familton caught up with singer/guitarist Ben Morrison to find out more. They might have a name that … Continue reading →

Album Artwork / Album Reviews / Americana / Bluegrass / Folk / Videos

ALBUM REVIEW: The Wilson Pickers – You Can’t Catch Fish From A Train

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Doubtful Sounds • 1 Comment

The folk, country and bluegrass string quintet return with their third album after a period on the sidelines due to Danny Widdicombe undergoing Leukaemia treatment. You get the strong sense these guys play for the thrill of creating communal music together and the chemistry between their voices is a natural fit while still allowing their … Continue reading →