This is album number three for Sydney quintet The Ramalamas and it finds them successfully capturing their live sound in the studio. There’s a relaxed atmosphere and looseness of playing – in the best possible sense – that defines the spirit the band has, making this a freewheeling and fun album to listen, dance and … Continue reading
Category Archives: Rock
INTERVIEW: The Ramalamas
Losing a founding member can often throw a band wildly off course but in The Ramalamas’ case it opened up their sound and allowed them to draw on a wider set of influences for their third album East Coast Low. “The first two albums were very much in a country-rock vein and on this one … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC PREMIERE: Emilee South – Howl
Melbournian Emilee South is back with a brand new single ‘Howl’, the first taste of her forthcoming 2nd EP. It’s out digitally on Oct 14th and available on 7″ vinyl from Oct 30th but we’re lucky enough to sneak in a day early with a premiere of the song on PTW. Recorded live over … Continue reading
SIX STRINGS: Henry Wagons
Henry Wagons is a veritable man for all seasons – singer, songwriter, guitarist, bandleader,TV host, raconteur and more. Currently he’s traveling the country promoting this years fine solo album After What I Did Last Night and he took the time to answer our PTW Q&A questions. Check the tour dates below (co-presented by PTW) and … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Cash Savage & The Last Drinks – One Of Us
Cash Savage trades in gothic and roots-based rock ’n’ roll that swings from funereal folk to surging widescreen workouts. There’s more range on One Of Us than previous albums. Run With The Dogs has a War On Drugs-styled pulse, Sunday Morning is a dirty, banjo-led folk song reminiscent of The Felice Brothers, Empty Page is … Continue reading
VIDEO: Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife – Paradise
Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife are currently touring to promote their brand new LP Thieves and this week they’ve released a video clip for the excellent lead single Paradise. It’s a retrofitted 70s breezy song with warm production and a damn catchy hook of a chorus, matched with a great clip inspired by 1973 film … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife – Thieves
Tracy McNeil showed flashes of brilliance on her previous album and she’s taken that one step further with a more consistent set of songs on Thieves. There’s a laid-back smooth quality to McNeil’s music that recalls US west coast FM rock of the late 70’s with warm harmonies, swaying guitar lines and a general uplifting … Continue reading
VIDEO: Cash Savage & The Last Drinks – Falling, Landing
Cash Savage has a new album called One Of Us out this Friday (July 1st) via the always reliable Mistletone Records. Here’s the clip for new single Falling, Landing which explores the darker side of the human psyche and our actions. The track is a swirling slow-burner, riding on atmospheric moodiness before it takes off … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: Rambin’ Nights: Adam Young, James Thomson, Amber Rae Slade & The Mighty Big Noise @ Django Bar, Sydney (11/06/16)
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
NEWS: Drive-By Truckers Announce New LP ‘American Band’
Drive-By Truckers have survived multiple line-up changes in their twenty year existence and yet they seem to be in possibly their strongest, most harmonious and richest streak of songwriting over the last few years. That prolific run of new music means that, following 2014’s English Oceans, we are about to get a new album American Band … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Cash Savage & The Last Drinks – Rat-A-Tat-Tat
Cash Savage has been relatively quiet since her excellent 2013 album The Hypnotizer. The good news is she’s back with her band The Last Drinks and a new full length LP One Of Us which is due for release late June, 2016. Trading in country and blues fuelled rock ‘n’ roll, Savage’s way with words … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: Houndmouth @ Newtown Social Club, Sydney 25/03/16
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
NEW MUSIC: William Crighton – Priest
William Crighton has been gaining a reputation over the last couple of years for his solo and band performances that trade on intensity, honest songwriting and passionate delivery. There are country and folk influences at work in his music but it really boils down to the songs and the brooding yet melodic sounds he shrouds them in. … Continue reading
EP REVIEW: Mia Dyson – Tearing Up The Lawn
Mia Dyson hit a fine songwriting streak on her last full length Idyllwild and she continues that here, especially the EP’s first single Tearing Up The Lawn. It’s a carefree, big and bold wash of rock guitar and an ineffable chorus hook. Elsewhere she finds great emotion and beauty in the more restrained corners of … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Mark Lucas & The Dead Setters – Continental Drift
Mark Lucas has been a prolific songwriter in the alt-country realm for a number of decades now, as leader of the Dead Setters, member of 90s group The Parwills and as a solo artist. His latest release with band The Dead Setters finds the group loosening their shoulders and opening up into a more eclectic … Continue reading