Marty Stuart has been long considered as one of the key links between the traditional country world and the Americana side of town, having played in Johnny Cash’s band and previously with Lester Flatt and Doc Watson. Way Out West finds him corralling all of those influences and more into a dream-like paean to the … Continue reading
This is album number three for Sydney quintet The Ramalamas and it finds them successfully capturing their live sound in the studio. There’s a relaxed atmosphere and looseness of playing – in the best possible sense – that defines the spirit the band has, making this a freewheeling and fun album to listen, dance and … Continue reading
Losing a founding member can often throw a band wildly off course but in The Ramalamas’ case it opened up their sound and allowed them to draw on a wider set of influences for their third album East Coast Low. “The first two albums were very much in a country-rock vein and on this one … Continue reading
Sturgill Simpson might be pegged as the renaissance man of modern country music but there’s a strong case for Texan Robert Ellis as the true heir to that throne. Over four albums he has progressively distanced himself from traditional country and delved deeper and deeper into a rich exploratory style of confessional songwriting. On this … Continue reading
Sean McMahon released his album Shiner earlier this year and he continues to spread its rich batch of country-rock tunes far and wide with live shows with his band the MoonMen. Sean’s heading up to Sydney this week to play a triple bill at the Marrickville Bowling Club with Adam Young & The Haints and … Continue reading
Joshua Seymour (Cherrywood) has stepped out on his lonesome for a solo album that digs deep into emotive and dark Americana. There’s a touch of Bon Iver, Iron & Wine and occasionally the band Spain in Seymour’s gothic sounding songs that are ornamented with stately piano, pedal steel, handclaps and all manner of stringed instruments. … Continue reading
