Yep, before we had a chance to realise the festive season was upon us it quickly departed, leaving us gazing forlornly or perhaps excitedly at the open musical prairie of 2015 laying before us. 2014 was a damn strong year for Americana releases and no doubt we’re in for another great twelve months of new music. … Continue reading
On the back of some superb headline Australian shows with his new band The Yarra Benders, Marlon Williams has released the second single from his forthcoming debut album. The self-titled full-length is due for release in April and will include first single ‘Strange Things‘. ‘Dark Child’ was written by Williams’ close friend Tim Moore and … Continue reading
The last 12 months have been a bountiful period for Americana releases in Australia and New Zealand. From debut albums to notable EPs, collaborations to albums recorded on the other side of the world, there was something for everyone and most importantly it showed our local scenes are going from strength to strength. The music … Continue reading
Luluc have had a massive year after signing with Sub Pop and releasing their second album Passerby in July. Here’s the new clip for the lovely soft-focus track ‘Tangled Heart’ that builds beautifully. Continue reading
2014, what another great year for Americana music, especially here in Australia where the scene seems to be growing in leaps and bounds. An example of that was Love Police launching the inaugural Out On The Weekend festival in Melbourne with a smaller version in Brisbane and a ton of sideshows in Sydney. All reports … Continue reading
Fraser A. Gorman was subject to the vagaries of a Sydney audience who seemed more concerned with chatting about their day than soaking up his solo opening set. Resplendent in a polka dot shirt with curly hair, harmonica and acoustic guitar, most would have commented on the visual similarities to Bob Dylan and there were … Continue reading
Amber Rae Slade is a Detroit Michigan native, now resident in Sydney, Australia and in the last week she’s posted the first taste of her music online via a couple of live in-studio video clips recorded with Matt Fell and by Michael Carpenter at their Love HZ Studio. Slade possesses one hell of a great … Continue reading
Sydney’s Sam Newton released his crowdfunded debut album a few months ago and it’s an accomplished collection of beautifully played and recorded songs that shows Newton’s wistful way with folk and sometimes country melodies. There’s an ornate quality to many of Newton’s songs with strings, piano and a number of other instruments all playing their … Continue reading
James Thomson opened proceedings with a strong set that showcased songs from his forthcoming album Cold Moon as well as a brace of covers including songs by Blaze Foley and Jimmie Rodgers. Thomson is a master of understated blues-based country and showed his ability to capture the audience’s attention with evocative lyrics, wonderful finger-picking and … Continue reading
Just when you think you’ve got a handle on all the great Americana albums that have been released in 2014 another one shuffles up beside you and taps you on the shoulder. Thanks to a recommendation from Spreading The Seed and their best of the year list I’ve been made aware and fallen under the spell … Continue reading
Canada has always had a strong country scene which is too often overshadowed by their southern neighbours. In recent time Lindi Ortega and Corb Lund have released great records and now Del Barber, a new name to us, has just released his 4th album. Barber’s sound is a comfortable one that shape-shifts between folk, honky … Continue reading
Press Release: One of the greatest rock and rollers of all time, the legendaryJerry Lee Lewis will be releasing his new album Rock & Roll Time on November 7 on Vanguard/Caroline Australia – his first for the label. Rock & Roll Time features a star–studded line up of guests including Keith Richards, Robbie Robertson, Ron Wood, Neil Young, Shelby Lynne, Nils Lofgren, Daniel Lanois … Continue reading
The latest instalment of Six Strings, where we focus on an Australian or New Zealand songwriter and dig into their musical psyche, opinions and memories via our Q&A. This one features Mark Lucas, a long-time stalwart of the local Sydney scene who arrived here from England at the dawn of the ’80s and went on … Continue reading
New Zealand (Lyttleton Harbour) band The Eastern, led by Adam McGrath, have a new album called The Territory out on October 31st. Here’s an excellent track from it called ‘The Stepping Razor’. They’ve toured with Steve Earle (twice), the Old Crow Medicine Show (twice) and the Lilʼ Band of Gold as well as opening for … Continue reading
Willy Vlautin is best known as frontman for alt-country band Richmond Fontaine and as an increasingly renowned fiction author. Now he’s added The Delines to his CV, a band where he takes a background role as songwriter and player with the immediate spotlight falling on singer Amy Boone (Damnations) who possesses a devastating ache and … Continue reading
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