Pokey LaFarge has always been tagged as an authentic revivalist, from his music to the way he dresses. He’s still cutting a fine sartorial look but on Manic Revelations he’s sounding more contemporary than ever. LaFarge skill is seamlessly melding the cornerstones of roots music – from country and blues to soul, New Orleans jazz … Continue reading
Category Archives: Blues
POST TO WIRE PRESENTS: Red-Eyed & Blue – Jo Meares Band and W.A.C.O
This weekend is the August instalment of Red-Eyed and Blue, the monthly session of live alt-country, folk and Americana music we curate at The Bearded Tit in Redfern, Sydney. Our last session saw a full house being serenaded by Sam Newton and gently rocked and rolled by The Singing Skies and this time round we … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Justin Townes Earle – Kids In The Street
By now Justin Townes Earle has released enough albums and developed his songwriting to the extent where he’s found his own distinct corner of the country music world. He’s developed an identifiable sound, particularly in the effortless swing he places in his music and the way he delivers his lyrics – that fluid and melodious, … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Chris Robinson Brotherhood – Behold The Seer [Video]
Chris Robinson Brotherhood release their fifth album Barefoot In The Head (Silver Arrow Records) this week and it finds them in fine, carefree form; blending cosmic country, funk, blues, soul, psych and rock with Robinson’s distinct voice tying it all together. Here’s the clip for the single and album opener ‘Behold The Seer’. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Roland Kay-Smith – As Cool As They Come
If you can get past the self-deprecating cover with Smith as a leather-jacketed, sunglass-wearing and sax-tootin’ dude then you’ll find a whole range of styles on show. The songs are either Harry Nilsson-styled piano barroom tales, Jack White keening blues, Dylan-esque wordplay or loose-hip Stonesey rock ’n’ roll. It all adds up to a varied … Continue reading
PREMIERE: Steve Wernick Band – Keep On Wearing Black
Sydney-based singer/songwriter Steve Wernick has just released his debut full length solo album Love Is A Gamble (via RPM Records). Drawing from the rich history of folk, blues and country with a punk spirit, Wernick deals with pain and heartbreak across a dozen songs drawn from personal experience over a seven year period. Wernick’s history on … Continue reading
SIX STRINGS: Justin Bernasconi
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
NEW MUSIC: Jen Mize – Forget Her (Video)
The latest single to come from Jen Mize’s fine Warnings & Wisdom LP (2016) is “Forget Her’, a devastating, slow-burning duet with Duncan Toombs. It’s the sweet yearning ache in their voices and the blend of tones that makes this such a great song – sung from two sides of the same coin. It’s beautifully … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Kasey Chambers – Dragonfly (plus giveaway!)
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
ALBUM REVIEW: Freya Josephine Hollick – The Unceremonious Junking Of Me
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
INTERVIEW: The Wilson Pickers
PICKING UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF Back in the saddle after Danny Widdicombe overcame leukaemia for the third time, The Wilson Pickers have reconvened to celebrate the simple joy of making music together. Sime Nugent chatted to Chris Familton about the circumstances in which the new album came about. In 2012 The Wilson Pickers were … Continue reading
NEWS: Son Volt Announce New 2017 LP
Son Volt has announced that their new album, Notes Of Blue with be released on February 17th, 2017 via Thirty Tigers/Cooking Vinyl Australia.Led by the songwriting and vocals of Jay Farrar, Son Volt was one of the most instrumental and influential bands in launching the alt-country movement of the 1990’s. A movement that was the precursor to what is now widely referred to as … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: William Crighton – Jesus Blues
Here’s the latest single from William Crighton’s excellent self-titled album that came out earlier this year. It’s one of the highlights of his live set too with its emotive Tim Buckley LA vibe and humid, rolling rhythm section. Continue reading
Favourite Songs of Heartache: Jen Mize & Darren Cross
This Sunday, Dec 4th is the final Heartbreaker Sessions for 2016 (we’ll be back early in 2017) so we’re hoping that plenty of alt-country and folk lovin’ types will come down to The Bearded Tit in Redfern, Sydney for live sets from Darren Cross and Jen Mize plus the usual cosmic country, troubadour picking, folk … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: Eilen Jewell + Jason Walker @ NSC, Sydney (22/11/16)
Jason Walker doesn’t play much with his full band so this was a chance to hear songs from his recently released new album All-Night Ghost Town, fleshed out with drums, bass and lead guitar – with Walker himself on electric. They sounded fantastic too, tight yet still with that alt-country looseness that gave them a … Continue reading