This felt like an under-promoted show, certainly in the local Americana community, so it was a pleasant surprise to find large crowd in attendance at The Basement. Opening honours went to Little Georgia who certainly won the crowd over with their blend of soul, indie-folk and a dash of country. They’re a marketers dream with … Continue reading
Category Archives: Country
TOUR NEWS: Mitch Power & Tom Dockray Hit The Road
Melbourne singer-songwriting, guitar-picking powerhouses Tom Dockray and Mitch Power come together for another co-headline tour, bringing their exciting brands of Country, Blues and Americana through NSW, QLD, ACT and VIC this June. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: William Crighton – William Crighton
For the last few years William Crighton has been building a strong buzz around his songs and live performances – both solo and with his band. Finally we see the fruition of his songwriting and recording with this mesmerising debut album. There’s a dark weight to Crighton’s music, both in subject matter and delivery, with … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Loretta Lynn – Full Circle
This is the first album in over a decade for the legendary country music singer and it finds her surveying a life in music with new versions of classics such as Fist City and Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven, covers and new duets with Elvis Costello and Willie Nelson. Lynn sounds in surprisingly strong … Continue reading
NEWS: Heartbreaker Sessions Easter Special
Heartbreaker Sessions returns to the bricked walls and sky-high shimmering stage of Freda’s for an Easter Special. Myself and Daz will be on the decks spinning classic and deep-cut country tunes all evening while The Sweet Jelly Rolls and Whiskey Jeff help kick off the long weekend with some fine live music. From 6PM and it’s … Continue reading
INTERVIEW: Ruby Boots
Ruby Boots And the Balance Of Self-Preservation Amid a run of national dates and ahead of a USA tour, Ruby Boots talks to Chris Familton about writing new material, casts her opinion on the Australian country music scene and looks back at 2015. 2015 was a landmark year for Ruby Boots (Bex Chilcott) with numerous … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: JD McPherson @ Factory Theatre, Sydney (3/02/16)
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
NEW MUSIC: William Crighton – Priest
William Crighton has been gaining a reputation over the last couple of years for his solo and band performances that trade on intensity, honest songwriting and passionate delivery. There are country and folk influences at work in his music but it really boils down to the songs and the brooding yet melodic sounds he shrouds them in. … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Mark Lucas & The Dead Setters – Continental Drift
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
REISSUE NEWS: Blaze Foley – Duct Tape Messiah
This Record Store Day eliterecords releases Duct Tape Messiah by exceptional Texan Folk artist Blaze Foley for the first time ever on vinyl. The soundtrack to the 2011 documentary film about the turbulent life of Townes Van Zandts companion and close friend literally spans Blaze’s whole musical life. It includes rare archival tracks never released … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Lucinda Williams – The Ghosts Of Highway 20
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
ALBUM REVIEW: Neil Young ~ Bluenote Café
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: Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes @ The Basement
LIVE REVIEW: Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes, Imogen Clark, Hussy Hicks @ The Basement, Sydney (18/11/15) Hussy Hicks created one impressive and soulful sound as the opening act at the latest showcase evening presented by Lost Highway Records. Their blend of country, blues, jazz and soul is grounded in Julz Parker’s consummate guitar playing and … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: Marlon Williams & The Yarra Benders
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
PTW & Mother Hen Touring Present: Fallen Angels ~ Country Christmas Party
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