Basko Believes is the moniker of Swedish songwriter Johan Orjansson who is about to release his folk and alt-country album Melancholic Melodies at the start of August in Australia and New Zealand. We’ll have a review coming soon but in the meantime here is a taste of the wonderful writing and voice of Basko Believes … Continue reading
Category Archives: Folk
Post To Wire Presents: Mark Moldre ~ An Ear To The South Tour
Mark Moldre has been receiving some excellent reviews for his recently released album An Ear To The Earth and after an initial run of release shows he is heading back down the East Coast for some shows in September. Post To Wire is proud to present the tour which will take in Canberra and three … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: The Milk Carton Kids @ Factory Theatre, Sydney (04/06/13)
by Chris Familton Being an evening of minimal and sparse folk this was a seated show and those that took their seats early were treated to the solo songs of Melody Pool who immediately took the room in the palm of her hand with just her vocals and guitar. She possesses a sweet mix of … Continue reading
EP REVIEW: Tiny Ruins | Haunts
by Chris Familton It has been two years since Hollie Fullbrook released her critically acclaimed debut album and since then she has been touring it through Europe and slowly but surely working on new songs. Haunts is an EP comprised of demos and b-sides mostly written prior to Some Were Meant For Sea so even … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Mark Moldre | An Ear To The Earth
by Chris Familton An Ear To The Earth is the follow-up to Mark Moldre’s debut solo album The Waiting Room, an accomplished set of folk-tinged indie rock songs that no doubt gave him the confidence and curiosity to dig deeper into his own songwriting and explore some of the more diverse corners of his musical … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Nigel Wearne ~ Black Crow
Melbourne singer songwriter Nigel Wearne released his album Black Crow at the end of 2012 and this month he will be releasing the title track as its second single. A brisk shuffle with strains of bluegrass and country running through it, Black Crow is a great track that showcases Wearne’s colourful vocal and some wonderful … Continue reading
INTERVIEW: Simone Felice
THE BIG SPIRIT OF SONG AFTER FINALLY STEPPING OUT UNDER HIS OWN NAME, AMERICANA SONGWRITER SIMONE FELICE IS DEEP IN THE MIDDLE OF WRITING AND RECORDING ALBUM #2. HE GIVES CHRIS FAMILTON AN INSIGHT TO WHERE IT MIGHT BE HEADING AND HOW HE HAS ADAPTED TO LIFE AS A SOLO ARTIST. Simone Felice has experienced … Continue reading
INTERVIEW: The Lumineers
IN THE WAKE OF THE MASSIVE SUCCESS OF THE SINGLE HO HEY AND THEIR DEBUT SELF-TITLED ALBUM, DRUMMER JEREMIAH FRAITES SPOKE TO CHRIS FAMILTON TO SHED SOME LIGHT ON THE LUMINEERS RAPID RISE TO FAME. The pop world still constantly throws up one hit wonders and success stories that seem to spring from nowhere, gather … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell ~ Old Yellow Moon
by Chris Familton Veritable veterans of country music, Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell have been friends ever since she heard a cassette demo of his song Bluebird Wine (covered here) back in 1975. She included the song on her debut album and he joined her band so it is surprising this is their first true … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Dawn McCarthy & Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy ~ What The Brothers Sang
by Chris Familton Collaboration isn’t new to Dawn McCarthy and Will Oldham who released an album of demos in 2007 (Wai Notes) as an addendum to the previous year’s The Letting Go on which McCarthy sang. Those songs showed an ethereal synergy between their voices making this new album a tantalising proposition for those who … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: The Weeping Willows ~ Till The North Wind Blows
by Chris Familton Melbourne duo The Weeping Willows released Till The North Wind Blows last year but their superb collection of songs could have dropped at any time in the last hundred years, such is the timeless quality they bring to their music and songwriting. The album drips with authenticity which can be a hard … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: Justin Townes Earle + Robert Ellis @ The Basement, Sydney (05/02/13)
by Chris Familton The practice of an established artist giving a relative newcomer a leg-up by taking them out on tour is an admirable one and in the case of Texan singer/songwriter Robert Ellis it was a real treat to watch and listen to such an affable singer with a firm grasp of a number … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: Joe Pug @ The Annandale Hotel, Sydney (23/11/12)
by Chris Familton This night of folk and country music kicked off with the soft and lilting sounds of Patrick James who was accompanied by a banjo/mandolin player and who showed right from the opening notes that he is another of the many outstanding new singer/songwriters emerging on the local americana scene. His was an … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: A new collection of unreleased Townes Van Zandt recordings
Due for release on February 5th, Townes Van Zandt, Sunshine Boy: The Unheard Studio Sessions and Demos 1971-1972 (Omnivore Recordings, 2013) consists entirely of previously unreleased music from Van Zandt’s classic albums High, Low & In Between and The Late Great Townes Van Zandt. Both albums were originally released in 1972 on the Poppy label. … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: Henry Wagons, Fanny Lumsden @ Achoo! Bless You @ The Annandale Hotel, Sydney (10/11/12)
by Chris Familton Fanny Lumsden is one of those personalities for whom the phrase ‘born entertainer’ was created. Boundless energy, a warm and endearingly funny stage persona and a stellar voice are what made her set so appealing. Her band of country/folk players played a critical role in presenting Lumsden’s songs making her the real deal and … Continue reading