LYLE LOVETT 12TH OF JUNE VERVE RECORDS It’s been a while between drinks for the iconic Lyle Lovett but he’s finally back with a new album, a decade on from his last record, Release Me. In true Lovett fashion, he’s brought together all of his influences – jazz, Western swing, Texas country and heavily rhythm-based … Continue reading
Australian expat, Tom Dockray, now based in Denmark, has joined musical forces with Rick Hauchman (North Carolina – vocals, mandolin, guitar) and friends (Lars Heiberg Andersen (drums, production), Mads Løvenholdt (bass), Thyge Van Dassen (violin) and Lars Emil Riis (piano)) to create Space Dudes. From the description it’s a fairly loose-knit approach where genre is out the … Continue reading
Authenticity and originality are key ingredients in the country and folk music that catches our ears and Melissa Carper‘s songwriting and voice immediately caught our attention when we heard ‘Back When’. The song comes from her new album Daddy’s Country Gold (released last Friday), one of the finest vintage country albums we’ve heard so far … Continue reading
Lately I’ve been listening to and writing about the sound of ambient country music. I guess it’s the state of the world – but quieter, more ruminative and relaxing sounds have become even more important than ever of late. There are the traditional ambient go-to’s such as Eno, Harold Budd, Jon Hassall, Williams Basinski and … Continue reading
Jazz and Americana. It’s been melded many a time before – from the streets of New Orleans to the beautiful fusion of artists like Bill Frisell. This track from Oskar Schönning & The Calle Stenman Quintet feat. Sara Parkman is another that does just that, with an effortless and relaxed approach that’s full of dusty … Continue reading
To mark its one year anniversary, Mark Moldre has today released the fourth single and fifth video clip from his acclaimed 2019 album Fever Dreams. ‘White Lightning‘ is a raised-glass country sway, an intoxicating tale of love lost and found – with soft shuffling drums, woozy electric guitar and a loose and heady, end-of-the-night vibe. ‘White Lightning’ was a … Continue reading
Jordan Merrick has released another single from his forthcoming Night Music album (October 25th). ‘I Don’t Belong’ swing alongs with a bluesy junk shop malevolence. Think Tom Waits, or closer to home, someone like Mark Moldre and his recent album Fever Dreams. There’s some fine scratched and shimmering guitar, parping horns and ramshackle percussion going … Continue reading
Kate Vargas, the NYC-based, half-Mexican singer-songwriter, already has a few albums under her belt, including last year’s fine For The Wolfish & Wandering. Now, after a songwriting experience at the Holiday Music Motel (see below), she’s released the jazzier sounding ‘Nothing Turns My Lock’ single. Vargas’ appeal lies in her husky voice and her willingness to explore … Continue reading
A DECADE OF MAKING SWEET SOUNDS After a decade of relentless touring, from street corners to bars and festivals, The California Honeydrops have forged a strong bond with their audiences. Drummer Ben Malament discusses the band’s achievements with Chris Familton, ahead of their return to Bluesfest in 2019. This will be the third year in … Continue reading
SONGS OF THE SILVER SCREEN Twilight On The Trail is the musical intersection of a childhood of Saturday morning western movies and formative years spent on the edge of the Mojave desert. For Jen Mize and Mark Sholtez, their tribute to the great cowboy songs and crooners of the 1940s is a project forged in … Continue reading
The harmony vocal and acoustic stringed instrument quintet return with their fifth album of ornate chamber folk and bluegrass. There’s no denying the exquisite playing and arrangements on All Ashore but for all its sensitivity and detail there’s a lack of emotional connectivity. Punch Brothers are a band that have reached that point where their … Continue reading
Ry Cooder is the great circler, a musician who seems to have a hand in all manner of scenes and genres and the ability to drift between all of them seamlessly. He played on Captain Beefheart’s Safe As Milk, produced Buena Vista Social Club, scored film soundtracks and played guitar on The Rolling Stones’ Let … Continue reading
Here’s the latest single from William Crighton’s excellent self-titled album that came out earlier this year. It’s one of the highlights of his live set too with its emotive Tim Buckley LA vibe and humid, rolling rhythm section. Continue reading
In the pantheon of modern songwriters only a few explore the dark corners of the heart and soul with such poetry, precision and weight as Leonard Cohen. He’s in that revered group alongside Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and increasingly, Nick Cave. Now 82, Cohen sees the end in sight, the curtains closing on a storied … Continue reading
Sturgill Simpson might be pegged as the renaissance man of modern country music but there’s a strong case for Texan Robert Ellis as the true heir to that throne. Over four albums he has progressively distanced himself from traditional country and delved deeper and deeper into a rich exploratory style of confessional songwriting. On this … Continue reading
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