Melbourne-based Aotearoa/NZ songwriter Skyscraper Stan is back with a brand new single, his first release since the 2020 single ‘Words Like Repression’. ‘21st Century Lullaby‘ is a beautifully rendered baroque folk ode to a new family member, draped in melancholic strings courtesy of a string quartet comprised of members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and … Continue reading
‘Bananas‘ is the first single from Bonny “Prince” Billy‘s new album Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You, out via Drag City on August 11th. Heavenly swooning vocals over skeletal fingerpicked guitars. It’s Will Oldham as you’ve come to love him – the obtuse yet heartfelt bard who continues to create beautiful and mystical musical vignettes. Album pre-orders … Continue reading
Possessing a voice like no other and stories and songs that other songwriters would beg borrow and steal to get remotely close to, Malcolm Holcombe has had a battle with cancer, come out the other side and thankfully we have new music from the Western North Carolina artist. Gritty, earthy folk music and a side … Continue reading
The turn of century proved to be a fertile time for the Americana music scene. The early 2000s saw the likes of Drive By Truckers and Ryan Adams stamping their name on the scene internationally with their early, widely acclaimed albums and Lucinda Williams was starting to capitalise on the success of Car Wheels on … Continue reading
WATTY THOMPSON WATTY THOMPSON CHEATIN HEARTS RECORDS It’s a rare thing for an artist to arrive on the scene as fully formed and creatively realised as Victorian Watty Thompson. Most songwriters take a few albums to figure out how to craft their music into its ideal shape. Thompson has done it on his first swing. … Continue reading
Minor Gold create their own offbeat, folkloric universe in the video for their song ‘Don’t Change’, the third single released from their upcoming debut album. The characters in the clip represent classic opposites and ultimately offer the conclusion that only love can conquer all. It’s a take on the classic fable, but it’s one you can dance … Continue reading
BUD ROKESKY OUTSIDER RAINBOW VALLEY RECORDS A tall, lanky, dark-haired, truck-driving, songwriting stranger. It might sound like a country music cliche but that’s a snapshot of the enigmatic and supremely talented Bud Rokesky, who was interviewed in the last issue of Rhythms. It’s been a while coming for this late bloomer but Outsider is a … Continue reading
I’ve been hooked on the music of Bud Rokesky since seeing him play at Dashville Skyline last October and over the last couple of months I’ve been lucky enough to listen to an advance copy of his exceptional debut album Outsider, which will be released on February 17th via Rainbow Valley Records. I’ve got a … Continue reading
Today we’re very pleased to bring you the premiere of ‘Peninsula‘, the new single by Tom West (Chicago via SA) & Lucinda R. (QLD). The pair have combined to pen a collaborative album of contemporary indie folk with a cinematic twist. Inspired by a road trip to SA’s Fleurieu Peninsula the duo rapidly wrote ten … Continue reading
Melbourne songwriter Sunset Stranger (Stephen E. Stanisic) has released the results of his latest trip to Rolling Stock Recording Rooms, under the guidance of producer Myles Mumford. ‘Prometheus Blues‘, out today via Bandcamp and streaming services, is an upbeat slice of kaleidoscopic folk, country and blues that dances lightly from the speakers. Guitars and dobro … Continue reading
Texan singer/songwriter and upright bassist Melissa Carper released her single ‘Ain’t A Day Goes By‘ last month. It’s the lead single from her forthcoming LP Ramblin’ Soul, out on November 18th via Mae Music/Thirty Tigers. According to the advance press release, the album ventures into blues, early rock and roll, and old-school soul, along with Carper’s signature … Continue reading
Minor Gold might be a new name but dig a little deeper and you’ll no doubt recognise the key architects of this new collaborative duo – Tracy McNeil and Dan Parsons, both wonderful and successful songwriters, singers and musicians in their own right. The warm folk sound of their debut single ‘Mona Lisa‘ is the perfect … Continue reading
Another incredible long weekend of cosmic country music in the idyllic surrounds of the Hunter Valley. A ton of highlights at the festival this year (as always) but my PTW gold star picks for this year go to Skyscraper Stan & The Commission Flats, Grace Cummings, Watty Thompson, Bud Rokesky, The Tall Stories, Sweet Talk, … Continue reading
Sometimes the simplest songs are the most affecting. The bare and poetic conveyance of heartfelt thoughts and emotions always ring the truest and Austin, TX songwriter JD Casper has done just that. The song came to him in an inspired moment over a morning coffee and JD says “I hope he listens to this throughout … Continue reading
We covered an earlier single of Rachel Angel‘s, ‘Strapped’, in 2020 and it’s a pleasure to again be invited into the swirling and evocative pop-laced country folk sound she does so effortlessly. Taken from the new album Midnite Heart Attack, released earlier this month, ‘Closer To Myself‘, is a tour de force of how to … Continue reading
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