Carver released their new single ‘At The Harbor’ last month and it’s one of those tracks that sits right in the pocket, not trying to carve our a new variant of Americana music, just comfortably hitting its marks in terms of melody and playing. There’s an unassuming quality to the music but by the midpoint … Continue reading
Simplicity done well makes for powerful music and this song from Nashville-based songwriter Henry Conlon grabbed us the second he started singing. One of those voices that sounds both powerful and emotionally wrought at the same time, it reminded me of the dark drama of Townes Van Zandt and more recently, Tyler Childers. ‘I’m Coming … Continue reading
There’s some exceptional playing on this new track from Nashville, TN artist Shane Scarazzini and his band EightFingers. Check out the guitars that spark and fly amid fiddle and pedal steel on ‘West Virginia Girl‘. The fluidity and energy in the playing is what nails this as a superb track but without the strength of … Continue reading
There’s some great playing on this new track from Alison Self. Electric twang and a quick-fire shuffle make for a rippin’ good honky-tonk sound for Self to sing over in her rough and raw voice. Self is based in Portland after time spent in Nashville, Denver and Austin and her new EP is her latest … Continue reading
I think in many ways we’d all like to erase 2020 and start again, but still with the release of the many great albums that came out this year. I’m guessing, like me, most of you found solace, escape, distraction and comfort in listening to music – new and old – to get you through … Continue reading
Lists! We have a couple for you as usual as we wind down at the end of another year. I won’t rabbit on about the trials and tribulations of 2020, the good news was that the music still came down the pipeline with the same amount of quality and reward. We’ll have our overall list … Continue reading
This Frontier Needs Heroes have been releasing music for over a decade and you can hear that lived-in feel in the playing and the maturity of the arrangement and sublime vocal melodies of singer-songwriter Brad Lauretti on this new song ‘South Dakota’. It’s a mix of gorgeous, folk-tinged vocals, the grit and electric twang of the … Continue reading
‘Fortune’ is the closing track on Norwegian singer-songwriter Juni Habel‘s new album All Ears. The folk artist has a beautiful folk tone and temperament which is balanced between the twee and arcane. She shares similarities with the bewitching sounds of early Aldous Harding as well as Big Thief and Tiny Ruins. The interplay between her … Continue reading
Drayton Farley (Woodstock, Alabama) is a new name to us but his voice caught our ear right off the bat. The lyrics fell into place pretty immediately too. Never over-forced, he balances the poetry and direct political commentary with a tasteful touch of melancholic country. The song definitely calls into the same camp as the … Continue reading
Hot nights and a sultry blues rock groove are the order of the day on this new track from Indiana-based David Quinn. We last wrote about Quinn when he released his excellent album Wanderin’ Fool last year. This year’s new album Letting Go finds him broadening his sound and continuing his rich vein of songwriting. … 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
This killer tune from Robert Connely Farr had us straight from the opening lines… “If it was up to me I’d burn this fucker down, hit the road and not look back on this godforsaken town.” His delivery – burnished and brusque, forlorn and on the wrong side of good intentions – is perfectly placed. The … Continue reading
Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada songwriter David James Allen is a man for all seasons. He cites some of his skills as graphic artist, DIY record producer and poet and he clearly takes that polymorphic approach with his music; effortlessly blending country, folk, psych and pop sounds into a wonderful kaleidoscopic sound that could easily … Continue reading
The Wicked Messenger is based around songwriter Jimi Beavis and bassist Janey Mac, who have surrounded themselves with a damn fine bunch of players, the most recognisable being Ben Franz on pedal steel. ‘You Don’t Love Me Anymore’ is a deceptively simple track that slays with its shuffle and pulse and the super hooky vocal … 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
