BRASH OPTIMISM & SONGWRITING PROPHECY Striding the early morning Los Angeles pavement and scared about returning to his life in Melbourne, the musician had revelation. Maybe he could just disappear? Dissolve into the weird and wild world of LA. That thought was quickly tempered by reality but it did result in a song about just … Continue reading
American band Firemelon released their new album King Leisure recently and ‘Before Goodbye’ is one of the standout tracks from it. They cover a lot of ground on the record with soaring distorted guitars, country rock swagger and widescreen Southern Californian twang. It amounts to a varied and intriguing listen. ‘Before Goodbye’ connects with its … Continue reading
Here’s a really nice slice of hard country from Californian Jesse Daniel. It comes from his self-titled album that came out on Die True Records a few months back. The whole album is great. Shades of Waylon throughout but with an added rock ‘n’ roll streak, a wild spirit and a snarl in Daniel and the … Continue reading
SOBRIETY & SINCERITY So often artists are touted as the best new thing or re-inventors of a genre or style. There is of course a time and a place for all those things but there’s equally much to be said about an artist who captures the purity and authenticity of a style. An artist like … Continue reading
Ben Mastwyk is currently a busy gent with a run of interstate shows with Luke Elliot (USA) and today he’s sent the video clip for new single ‘This Country’ out into the world. It’s a great horn-led slice of honky tonk and country groove, matched by an equally fine video complete with gold satin jackets, … Continue reading
Melbourne’s Ben Mastwyk has gathered a new band around him and recorded a new album (his 2nd) called Winning Streak. His band The Millions feature Ben Franz (The Waifs), Josh Duiker (Clifton Hillbillies), Michael Hubbard (The Bluebottles), Craig Kelly (Rich Davies). Also on vocals and honky-tonk piano is kiwi songstress Lisa Crawley. Here’s a live in-studio … Continue reading
Pokey LaFarge has always been tagged as an authentic revivalist, from his music to the way he dresses. He’s still cutting a fine sartorial look but on Manic Revelations he’s sounding more contemporary than ever. LaFarge skill is seamlessly melding the cornerstones of roots music – from country and blues to soul, New Orleans jazz … Continue reading
Marty Stuart is one of the bridges between new and old, classic and contemporary country music and this week the Five-time GRAMMY-winner will release Way Out West, his 18th studio album, on March 10 on Superlatone \ Cooking Vinyl Australia, and it will be available on CD, Vinyl, Digital download & streaming. Here’s the album trailer and keep scrolling down to hear the first single … Continue reading
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
LIVE REVIEW: Marlon Williams & The Yarra Benders, Ben Salter @ Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (21/11/15) With the sold-out sign stuck to the front window of the venue Ben Salter ambled on-stage, unassuming and with that tousled mop of hair. Sans The Gin Club he’s a riveting performer with loop and vocal effect pedals and … Continue reading
Kentucky’s Jeremy Pinnell has a new album called OH/KY coming out on July 24th via Sofaburn Records and if it sounds half as sweetly sad and honky tonk flavoured as this track then it’s going to be a good one. Press Release Jeremy Pinnell, Northern Kentucky’s son from across the river, is a soft-spoken man, … Continue reading
