Sydney sextet Dusty Ravens have a new album on the way called Low Down Jimmy. It follows their 2014 album Stories of Love and Death and continues their fascination with, and foray into, Mexican and American roots music. On the title track, and first taste of the album, there’s twang and strum, shuffling country drums … Continue reading
Category Archives: News
EP REVIEW: Lindi Ortega – Til The Goin’ Gets Gone
The Canadian songwriter takes the quieter route on this new four track EP. She’s parked the feisty and swinging rockabilly sound she’s built much of her sound around and instead embraced a minimalist, meditative and reflective approach. Opener ‘Til The Goin’ Gets Gone’ is tale of self-encouragement, a sweet, lilting resolute commitment to optimism over … Continue reading
PREMIERE: Steve Wernick Band – Keep On Wearing Black
Sydney-based singer/songwriter Steve Wernick has just released his debut full length solo album Love Is A Gamble (via RPM Records). Drawing from the rich history of folk, blues and country with a punk spirit, Wernick deals with pain and heartbreak across a dozen songs drawn from personal experience over a seven year period. Wernick’s history on … Continue reading
NEWS: The Morrisons Release and Tour Debut LP
The Morrisons have been a mainstay of the local Sydney Americana scene for a number of years now. They’ve played headline shows, supports, festivals and performed special tributes such as their acclaimed Brother Where Art Thou shows. Now they’ve finally released their debut, self-titled album and it both cements their status as a highly accomplished group … Continue reading
NEWS: Rich Davies & The Low Road Announce East Coast Tour
Rich Davies & The Low Road are heading out on tour through March and April, taking in regional and metropolitan venues in NSW, QLD and VIC. He’s touring his new album Ghosts which shines a light on human stories and social struggle, traversing foot-stomping epics to sombre ballads. Think Springsteen meets The Pogues, glorious and visceral folk … Continue reading
NEWS: PTW Showcase at Late Nite Alt at Tamworth
We’re excited to be part of what is becoming a tradition and Americana highlight of the Tamworth country music festivities in recent years. Now in its fourth year, Late Nite Alt has found a new home downstairs at Tamworth Services Club. As well as a new venue, they’ve also partnered with Footstomp Music, The Americana Music Association of Australia, … Continue reading
FAVOURITE ALBUMS OF 2016
What a year. Plenty of big names from our musical corner of the world departed (Leonard Cohen, Merle Haggard, Guy Clark, Ralph Stanley, Red Simpson, Jean Shepard, Leon Russell, Steve Young, Glenn Frey, Chips Moman, Dave Swarbrick and Scotty Moore), a sign that the golden era of music from the 60s and 70s is well … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Nick Payne – Rise Up Like A River
For the last decade Nick Payne has led Sydney folk and bluegrass outfit Dear Orphans across two albums and a ton of live shows. His debut solo album has him keeping one foot firmly in the Dear Orphans camp and the other heading into contemporary Americana. Payne presents the album as two halves, the first … Continue reading
NEWS: Son Volt Announce New 2017 LP
Son Volt has announced that their new album, Notes Of Blue with be released on February 17th, 2017 via Thirty Tigers/Cooking Vinyl Australia.Led by the songwriting and vocals of Jay Farrar, Son Volt was one of the most instrumental and influential bands in launching the alt-country movement of the 1990’s. A movement that was the precursor to what is now widely referred to as … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Hurray For The Riff Raff Announce New LP
Alynda Segarra returns with her band Hurray For The Riff Raff and their new album The Navigator, on March 10th 2017. The Navigator tells an interwoven, cinematic story of a wandering soul at a crossroads of identity and ancestral weight. It finds a street kid named Navita traversing a perpetually burning city in search of herself and was … Continue reading
NEWS: The Americana Music Association of Australia Launches
For a number of years the Americana Music Association in the USA has gone from strength to strength, building on the increasing popularity of the polymorphic genre as an authentic alternative to the pop schlock served up as country music in modern times. A UK offshoot was created and now Australia has launched its own … Continue reading
NEWS: Liam Gerner Announces New Single & Tour
Liam Gerner has settled back into Melbourne after ten years based overseas and amid near-constant touring he’s recorded a new album with his band (The Sunset Pushers) that includes Shane Reilly from Lost Ragas. The self-titled LP (due out in Feb 2016) was recorded in three days in both Melbourne by Roger Bergodaz and in the USA at … Continue reading
NEWS: Neil Young Announces New LP Peace Trail
Neil Young has surprised yet again with another 2016 album release. First there was the EARTH live LP, then came the news that Official Release Series Discs 8.5-12 reissue vinyl box set (American Stars & Bars, Comes A Time, Rust Never Sleeps, Live Rust and Long May You Run) will be out next month and now he’s just … Continue reading
NEWS:The Aviary Presents ‘Warm Evenings, Pale Mornings’
Here’s a fantastic looking project out of Melbourne that is set for release on November 22nd. Warm Evenings, Pale Mornings is masterminded by Fraser Montgomery at The Aviary Recording Studio and Creative Hub. He’s brought together a bunch of fine musicians and songwriters to record the album straight to 2″ tape, with each artist covering another … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Darren Cross – _Xantastic
Darren Cross made his name as a founding member of collage pop provocateurs Gerling but these days he’s one half of folk noir duo Jep and Dep and a solo artist trading in dark avant-folk. Surprisingly, this is Cross’ debut solo album and in many ways it embraces his past and present musical explorations with … Continue reading