Simplicity done well makes for powerful music and this song from Nashville-based songwriter Henry Conlon grabbed us the second he started singing. One of those voices that sounds both powerful and emotionally wrought at the same time, it reminded me of the dark drama of Townes Van Zandt and more recently, Tyler Childers. ‘I’m Coming … Continue reading
Category Archives: Country
NEW MUSIC: Shane Scarazzini & EightFingers – West Virginia Girl
There’s some exceptional playing on this new track from Nashville, TN artist Shane Scarazzini and his band EightFingers. Check out the guitars that spark and fly amid fiddle and pedal steel on ‘West Virginia Girl‘. The fluidity and energy in the playing is what nails this as a superb track but without the strength of … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Alison Self – Whiskey Drunk
There’s some great playing on this new track from Alison Self. Electric twang and a quick-fire shuffle make for a rippin’ good honky-tonk sound for Self to sing over in her rough and raw voice. Self is based in Portland after time spent in Nashville, Denver and Austin and her new EP is her latest … Continue reading
FAVOURITE ALBUMS OF 2020
I think in many ways we’d all like to erase 2020 and start again, but still with the release of the many great albums that came out this year. I’m guessing, like me, most of you found solace, escape, distraction and comfort in listening to music – new and old – to get you through … Continue reading
FAVOURITE AU & NZ ALBUMS 2020
Lists! We have a couple for you as usual as we wind down at the end of another year. I won’t rabbit on about the trials and tribulations of 2020, the good news was that the music still came down the pipeline with the same amount of quality and reward. We’ll have our overall list … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: David Quinn – Born To Lose
Hot nights and a sultry blues rock groove are the order of the day on this new track from Indiana-based David Quinn. We last wrote about Quinn when he released his excellent album Wanderin’ Fool last year. This year’s new album Letting Go finds him broadening his sound and continuing his rich vein of songwriting. … Continue reading
INTERVIEW: Catherine Britt
A LEAP FOR INDEPENDENCE Catherine Britt is beginning the exciting next phase of her twenty year career with her new album Home Truths, the first release on her own record label. by Chris Familton It’s a strange time in the world when you have to quickly pack up your things, gather your family and hightail … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Pierceton Hobbs – Fawn
As this song starts you’re drawn in by Appalachian songwriter Pierceton Hobbs‘ interesting drawl that curls around the vowels and twists them into interesting shapes. Then the band kicks in and there’s a wonderfully laidback yet deep feel to the groove. ‘Fawn’, the title track from Hobbs’ debut album makes for a really nice introduction … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Chris Larcombe – Sweet Cheeks
This is just hands-down superb playing from Chris Larcombe, a young guitarist out of the UK who made the wise decision to head for the sounds of country music when he first heard the telecaster of the late Byrd Clarence White a couple of years ago. ‘Sweet Cheeks’ is a classic country instrumental written by … Continue reading
WEEKLY SINGLES ROUNDUP: Oct 2nd, 2020
This week we’ve got a brand new track from one of our local Australian songwriters, Ben Leece (out on Monday). This single is a beautiful tribute to a friend who died in tragic and unsolved circumstances and is yet another example of the way Ben so effortlessly imbues his alt-country melodies and music with pathos … Continue reading
VIDEO PREMIERE: Michael Carpenter and The Banks Brothers – There’s No One Like You
The meeting of musical minds is one of the real joys of collaborative projects and there seems to be more and more of them happening in these times we’re living in. On the local Sydney scene, songwriter/musician/producer Michael Carpenter has joined up with the guitar-slingin’ dream team of The Banks Brothers (Zane – guitar, Jy-Perry … Continue reading
WEEKLY SINGLES ROUNDUP – Sept 25th, 2020
As usual, a great county of new singles hitting the airwaves and digital universe this week. First up is this lovely duet between Kurt Vile and John Prine, recorded late in 2019. “Probably the single most special musical moment in my life,” says Vile. It’s part of a new KV EP called Speed, Sound, Lonely KV, out … Continue reading
VIDEO PREMIERE: The Weeping Willows – Prelude
Melbourne folk, country, Americana (they can do anything!) duo The Weeping Willows recently released their brand new 7″ single Wheels Won’t Roll, which received a premiere over at The Bluegrass Situation. They’ve also created this beautiful clip for the instrumental b-side and new single ‘Prelude’, featuring stunning drone footage filmed in Ireland by Uwe Müller … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Willie Nelson – First Rose Of Spring
Willie Nelson First Rose Of Spring Sony Music Willie Nelson just keeps on keeping on, churning out albums more regularly than artists a quarter of his age. Invariably they all hit the mark too, based on song selection, the worldly and weary tone of Nelson’s voice and his trusty six-string sidekick Trigger. First Rose of … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: The Reeves Brothers – 100 Proof Honky-Tonk
How great is this?! Straight down the line, authentic, git-down honky-tonk, from the saloon floor straight to you. The Reeves Brothers rip and swing with some great guitar, piano and pedal-steel playing on this song. ‘100 Proof Honky-Tonk‘ is the lastest single from the Las Vegas, NV-based group centred around Matt and Cole Reeves. The … Continue reading