Jason Walker doesn’t play much with his full band so this was a chance to hear songs from his recently released new album All-Night Ghost Town, fleshed out with drums, bass and lead guitar – with Walker himself on electric. They sounded fantastic too, tight yet still with that alt-country looseness that gave them a … Continue reading
They sure don’t make ‘em like Kinky Friedman anymore. Singer, songwriter, author, raconteur, comedian and winner of the Male Chauvinist Pig Award from the National Organisation of Women in 1973. He’s still peddling the same material that he has for the last forty years though that was tempered somewhat by the release last year of … Continue reading
The high-quality overload of Americana music in Sydney this week continued with a triple serving at The Basement that traversed country, folk and the cosmic musical universe of Robert Ellis. Last time he played here back in July, Joshua Hedley made solid headway through a bottle of whiskey during his set, the jokes and banter … Continue reading
After last year’s cancelled Sydney leg of the Out On The Weekend festival it was always unlikely we’d get another chance in 2016 but we do still get the consolation prize of some fine headline shows by the various artists from the Melbourne event. Callum Wylie had the task of serenading the slowly arriving punters. … Continue reading
Love Police have a knack for booking repeat tours that build up a local audience for supremely talented artists. In the past they’ve worked with Justin Townes Earle and Robert Ellis. This tour showcased two musicians who have been relatively frequent visitors, though not in a solo capacity. Yet again Love Police have hosted one … Continue reading
Alt-country doesn’t generally get a look-in with the arts festivals so it was pleasing to see the inclusion of Ramblin’ Nights in this year’s Vivid Sydney line-up. This was an evening that ranged in style from laid-back country rock to soulful country-blues hollers and heartland rock n roll. Amber Rae Slade & The Mighty Big … Continue reading
William Crighton’s debut album has been receiving plenty of glowing reviews since its release and this was a night to celebrate the new record – for both fans and Crighton and his band. Partners in life and partners in music – Amber Rae Slade and producer Matt Fell kicked up a fine and impressive storm … Continue reading
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
In the absence of active duty from Sydney band Little Bastard, the various members have pursued solo projects (they kind of already did anyway) and relatively new group The Daphne Rawling Band, led by Ross Tipper features a few members of the rag-tag LB collective, as well as a couple of Cruisin’ Deuces. The punk-ish … Continue reading
This was a public holiday with reduced trading hours which meant an early start time for the local support act Le Pie. Backed by a five-piece band, she was one part Kim Gordon, one part 60s girl group. Over a bed of indie rock they showed a fine stylistic range, especially on their set-closer which … Continue reading
This was an evening of three shades of solo performance, three acoustic guitars, three bewitching voices and a common thread of dark humour. Aucklander Seth Frightening serenaded the slow-filling room with his fascinating mix of spooky, atmospheric folk music. With an emotive and melancholically angelic voice he stepped out of the standard folk singer paradigm … Continue reading
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
With the change in weather from high temperatures to blustery storms, the Hyde Park festival village became a somewhat deserted and mud-laden location. That didn’t deter the committed and curious fans of Chicago’s Ryley Walker from scurrying beneath umbrellas to the steps of The Famous Spiegeltent for what would be a spellbinding set of acoustic … Continue reading
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: Tiny Ruins, Flowertruck, Stolen Violin @ Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (25/11/15) The evening at the portioned and reduced capacity OAF began with a solitary figure cross-legged on-stage with a twelve-string acoustic guitar, microphone and effects pedals. What followed was a brace of only three or four songs from Stolen Violin (Jordan Ireland from … Continue reading
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