This was a night of rock ’n roll, blues, country, folk and soul, those landmark styles that set the ground rules for the last six decades of music and it showed that artists who trade in those genres, with authenticity, respect and reverence, continue to attract devoted fans. A Man Called Stu and pedal steel … Continue reading
Mark Lucas has been a prolific songwriter in the alt-country realm for a number of decades now, as leader of the Dead Setters, member of 90s group The Parwills and as a solo artist. His latest release with band The Dead Setters finds the group loosening their shoulders and opening up into a more eclectic … Continue reading
Eagle & The Wolf is the new collaborative project between blues musician Kris Morris and singer/songwriter Sarah Humphreys. We’ve heard the new album and reckon it’s the best thing either of the pair have put their creative talents to. Blues, country, folk and a streak of gospel run through the album and indeed this first … Continue reading
Lucinda Williams has enjoying a wellspring of creativity in the last few years with her critically acclaimed and award-winning double album Down Where The Spirit Meets The Bone (2013) and now yet another double album in The Ghosts Of Highway 20. The key to prolific output is making sure the quality never drops off and … Continue reading
Here’s a really nice batch of songs written and recorded by James Elm. Voice and mandolin keeps things nice and sparse with focus on the songs, mood and Elm’s great bluesy voice. Continue reading
James Thomson released one of our favourite albums of 2015 with his sophomore album Cold Moon. With his band The Strange Pilgrims in tow he’s about to head out on tour for a run of East Coast dates through February and March including a Sydney gig as special guest of Ruby Boots. Highway Nights Tour: Feb … Continue reading
The middle of the 1960s was a turbulent time culturally. Collars were loosening, hair was growing and music was changing at a rapid rate as rock ’n’ roll began to explore its possibilities aided by free thinking and stimulants. Dylan was the poster boy, the artist out front pushing the limits with a wild surrealistic … Continue reading
Neil Young continues his archival Performance Series releases, this time chronicling the latter part of the ‘80s which for many fans was a head scratching and frustrating period. On the back of the This Note’s For You album he hit the road with a full band including organ and horn section, applying that sound to … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: Marlon Williams & The Yarra Benders, Ben Salter @ Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (21/11/15) With the sold-out sign stuck to the front window of the venue Ben Salter ambled on-stage, unassuming and with that tousled mop of hair. Sans The Gin Club he’s a riveting performer with loop and vocal effect pedals and … Continue reading
We’ve joined forces with the wonderful Areatha from Mother Hen Touring (M.E Baird, James Thomson, Dan Waters, Leo Rondeau etc) to put on an end-of-year gig/party at the Petersham Bowling Club on December 20th. This will be a chance for the Sydney alt.country and folk music scene to celebrate another wonderful year of music in which some … Continue reading
Lucinda Williams, Dan Sultan @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney (02/12/15) On this night of alt. country royalty returning to Sydney Dan Sultan had the opening honours and with just electric guitar, mic and keyboard he showed the full gamut of his musical CV, from brooding bluesy stomps to anguished and emotive soul music. He admitted he … Continue reading
Nothing Is Ever Too Personal Lucinda Williams talks to Chris Familton about challenging songwriting, freedom as an artist, and taking advantage of being on a roll. Since her mother’s death in 2004, Lucinda Williams has found herself constantly writing and producing music at a much faster rate than ever before. As such, 2014’s Down Where The Spirit Meets The Bone was … Continue reading
Peter Bibby graced the stage in solo format for his opening set and he’s increasingly becoming a rambling rambunctious storyteller. Looking like a homeless Jeffrey Lee Pierce and dispensing his brand of Dylanesque Australian larrikin song he charmed the audience with plenty of songs from his last album including fan favourites Hates My Boozin’, Cunt … Continue reading
A long time between drinks for Keith Richards solo albums, the last one was 23 years ago, and he’s even used the same band for this checklist of the usual ragged blues, low slung rock ’n’ roll and even a dodgy Gregory Isaacs reggae cover. That aside, the quality quota is high across the board. … Continue reading
On her tenth album Patty Griffin dives deep into the mysteries of love and nature, soundtracked by an organic and smokey mix of blues, jazz, folk and country noir. She possesses the kind of sultry tone that suggests hidden meaning, raw emotion and bruised romance. Songs snake and meander by, woven around drones and mantra-like … Continue reading
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