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
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
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
There’s a strong John Prine sound and vibe on this new track from John John Brown, taken from his second album Americana Comics. He even references Prine in the song, a gently drifting and softly propulsive slice of country folk that hits the spot between laidback and warmly poetic. Lovely stuff. The song “tells the … Continue reading
‘Halfway To Mexico’, taken from Abigail Lapell‘s 2019 album Getaway, is a beatifully languid and humid folk song that eases along on the back of her wonderfully expressive way with melodies that dance through the song. The Toronto vocalist, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist has released two acclaimed solo albums – Hide Nor Hair, her sophomore LP, … Continue reading
‘Fortune’ is the closing track on Norwegian singer-songwriter Juni Habel‘s new album All Ears. The folk artist has a beautiful folk tone and temperament which is balanced between the twee and arcane. She shares similarities with the bewitching sounds of early Aldous Harding as well as Big Thief and Tiny Ruins. The interplay between her … Continue reading
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
Today we’re please to be able to premiere the new video clip from Melbourne group Honeymoon Bridge. ‘Sweet and Strange’ comes from their new cassette/digital album Volume V, released today via Bandcamp. Don’t forget that from 5pm today, Bandcamp waives their fees for 24 hours so all your money goes to the artist! The harmonies … Continue reading
There’s a Leonard Cohen cadence and observational wit at play, filtered through Cuchulain‘s voice that recalls Evan Dando of The Lemonheads. It’s a clever and lyrically impressive track that rolls along perfectly like a Randy Newman lost gem. ‘Been There’ comes from the San Francisco Bay Area-based songwriter’s forthcoming album Songs For Grownups. “For a … Continue reading
This track caught our ear for a few reasons when we first heard it. Obviously the title and subject matter… anyone willing to take a poetic swing at the evil piece of shit that is the US president gets our musical vote. Canadian Zach Kleisinger has a great cadence in the delivery of his lines. … Continue reading
Sarah Jarosz World On The Ground Rounder Records Conservatorium-trained musicians should always be approached with caution. Sure they have an A-grade level of music theory and playing expertise but sometimes that can come at the expense of heart and soul and the requisite rawness that so often makes folk and country music so compelling. On … Continue reading
Juni Habel is a Norwegian songwriter who’s recently released ‘Run Dry’, the second single from her upcoming full-length debut album, All Ears. This single possesses a swirling, otherworldly baroque folk sound , built on her wonderful acoustic guitar playing and high register vocal that recalls singers such as Joni Mitchell, Aldous Harding and others. Continue reading
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
Gillian Welch is set to release Vol. 2 of her Lost Songs series of unreleased recordings. In the meantime you can hear ‘Beautiful Boy’ and ‘I Just Want You To Know‘ The second instalment of the newly unearthed and celebrated cache of home demos and reel-to-reel recordings from the vault of Gillian Welch and David … Continue reading
Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker announces two new albums, songs and instrumentals, out Friday 23 October, and today presents a new single, ‘anything’. ‘anything’ is a look into Lenker’s introspective and quietly magical catalogue. Backed by soft fingerpicking, Lenker’s magnetic voice references a flurry of memories and beautiful imagery – a hot sun, juicy mango, family fighting on Christmas eve, a circle of trees. It’s … Continue reading
