Authentic, organic, humorous, old school dusty floor honky tonk sounds from Pinto Bennett, the Idaho musician who made his first recordings at age 16 in 1964 with a rock band called The Fates before being seduced by Wynn Stewart’s Bakersfield country sound. By the 2000s, his hard living caught up with him in the form … Continue reading
David Quinn (Chicago) has released two tracks this year and both of them hit our sweet spot with their authentic and in-the-pocket country sound. Not over-produced, simply great playing, a cool production sound (Andrija Tokic, known for his work with Alabama Shakes, Langhorne Slim, Hurray for the Riff Raff and Margo Price) and Quinn’s voice … Continue reading
“I’m going to quit, just not today.” Great sounds from Mr Samuel Herb, a 25 year old singer/songwriter who originally hails from Jacksonville, FL. ‘Someone Else’s Dream’ fuses a swingin’ honky tonk with soul vamps and a killer New Orleans trumpet sound to wonderful effect. We look forward to hearing where Herb goes next with … Continue reading
A new track from Pete Mancini, the second single from his forthcoming second solo LP due out early in 2019. ‘DUI Blues’ rides a classic country sound with a catchy hook of a chorus, touches of honky tonk and a tongue-in-cheek cautionary tale of driving after a night at the bar. Continue reading
Honky tonk, hard country and outlaw combine for this rippin’ new single from Gethen Jenkins. There’s some great playing right across it, from lead guitar to pedal steel, backed by a swinging freight train rhythm section on this shuffling drinking song. Hell of a voice too – gruff and deep, in the tradition of Waylon … Continue reading
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
