It’s that time of year and it’s never sounded sweeter than on this Neil Young-indebted new song from Melbourne’s Sean McMahon. Wistful, melancholic and bucolic, it sways along on McMahons fine vocal and some great pedal steel and harmonica. Continue reading
Ben Mastwyk dials into an authentic country sound that honours both the heartfelt storytelling side of the tracks and the boot scootin’, honky tonk dance-floor. It’s a talent that few possess with many guilty parties falling into either serious introspection or ending up looking like cartoon cowboys. Mastwyk wrote most of these songs in the … Continue reading
Here’s something a bit different. Different in the sense that there’s such a smooth soul streak running through this song. All the while there’s a country sway and sun kissed vibe of open highways and desert vistas. Country yacht rock perhaps? It’s a sweet slice of soulful Americana regardless. ‘Mexico Sunrise’ comes from Philadelphia’s La … Continue reading
Hillstomp are a due that tear up the folk blues handbook and let the torn pages scatter across the stage in a whirlwind of stomping rhythms, breakneck picking and strumming. They’ve got a new album called Monster Receiver, which is set to be released through Fluff and Gravy Records on October 19th. The LP features guest … Continue reading
In the wake of the untimely and much mourned passing of Tom Petty there have no doubt been countless concerts in honour of the great man. Sydney songwriter, musician and producer Michael Carpenter has organised some fine tribute shows and now he’s taken it a step further with a full album of Petty covers, in … 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
“Iggy, oh Iggy, I wanna be your sweet sixteen, even though I’m almost 29” sings Mary-Elaine Jenkins on this excellent crunchy blues and struttin’ country rock track, taken from her debut album Hold Still, due out on September 28th via Good Child Music. She’s got one of those lived-in smokey voices, perfectly suited to the blues … 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
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
NOTHING GOOD COMES FROM WAR On his new album, Empire, William Crighton widens his sound and the subject matter of his songs. He talks with Chris Familton about his creative process, Astral Weeks and parlour guitars. The best songwriters are the ones who treat their craft like a journey where life experiences, awareness and self-education … Continue reading
‘Ten Ton Heart’ comes from Tar & Flowers’ recently released album Indian Summer. Head over to their Bandcamp page to stream and buy or hit up the usual streaming services. The band hail from California and dial into a countrified folk of sound. It’s laid back, evocative, blending acoustic and electric instrumentation. Plenty of strum … Continue reading
Two new tracks from the curiously named Dr. Buzzworm out of Los Angeles. These popped up online and caught my ear with their melodic hooks and nice, ragged country rock feel in the vein of The Replacements with touches of early 80s indie thrown into the mix. Continue reading
Tom West hails from Adelaide and this new track was recorded between his hometown and Nashville. It’s the third single from his upcoming new album I’m Livin’. It looks like he’s already released a bunch of albums which you can check out on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. We’re digging the gentle chug and propulsion … 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
The brothers Crannitch were the core of the band Leader Cheetah who achieved a modicum of success and critical acclaim across two albums close to a decade ago. Now, after years spent living in different countries, the pair have reconvened as The San Sebastian. Fans of the former will find to still plenty to love … Continue reading
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