“We are just a simple devil-lovin family that play bluegrass and folk tunes about the hills and rivers we’ve roamed, the things we’ve seen and the stories we’ve been told.” Sydney folk and bluegrass trio Shelley’s Murder Boys have recently released their brand new album Above Is A Roar and one of its standout tracks is … Continue reading
Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, Albi & The Wolves hit a sweet melodic strain of folk music on their new single ‘This Is War’. It bristles and keens like dancing firefly, circling a relationship in dissolution and emerging with resolve and optimism. The acoustic trio will be over here in Australia in a couple of … Continue reading
I like the plaintive, spacious sound on this new track and clip from old time/bluegrass Same Francisco-based band Late For The Train. They draw this song out into a beautiful meditation on emotion and the colour blue. It’s bound together with the wonderful vocal interplay and fine fiddle playing from Laura Benson, especially at the … Continue reading
A Different Thread are a British/American duo – Robert Jackson from Staffordshire, UK and Alicia Best from North Carolina, USA. who conjure up a whole range of Americana (country, folk, bluegrass) influences on their new album On A Whim which was released last week on September 13th. This song flies along courtesy of the violin … Continue reading
The harmony vocal and acoustic stringed instrument quintet return with their fifth album of ornate chamber folk and bluegrass. There’s no denying the exquisite playing and arrangements on All Ashore but for all its sensitivity and detail there’s a lack of emotional connectivity. Punch Brothers are a band that have reached that point where their … Continue reading
Old Crow Medicine Show, Valerie June @ Enmore Theatre, Oct 3rd 2017 House lights were dimmed and, apart from a white cowboy hat and some impressive beards, four unassuming band members walked on stage and kicked into the opening song before Valerie June strode onstage with dreadlocks bundled high, a shimmering gold sequinned outfit and turquoise … Continue reading
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
