Jep and Dep (Darren Cross and Jess Cassar) have a brand new single out this week and today they’ve unveiled the accompanying video for ‘Babe Come Down’. Shot in rich black and white the pair serenade the ocean and themselves via some gothic ghostliness. It marries the song perfectly, which highlights the duo’s ability to … Continue reading
Tag Archives: 2014
ALBUM REVIEW: Tami Neilson ~ Dynamite!
Tami Neilson has long established herself as one of the finest local progenitors of Americana music since relocating from her native Canada to New Zealand. She’s scored numerous awards and critical praise and Dynamite! continues her magical run with her finest collection of songs to date, both in their spirited performance and superb songwriting. Clocking … Continue reading
NEWS: Australia Americana Advisory Group formation
The Australian Americana music scene has been going from strength to strength in the last few years with more and more acts making the pilgrimage to the Americana Music Festival & Conference in Nashville, TN each year. Earlier this month the Australia Americana Advisory Group was formed to create awareness of the genre in and foster two-way street … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Hurray For the Riff Raff ~ Small Town Heroes
There’s an interesting back story to Alynda Lee Segarra, the 26 year old songwriter behind the rather non-Americana nom de plume. She ditched home at 17, travelled the USA by thumb and jumping trains before settling in New Orleans, focusing on music and discovering her own style with quite breathtaking results. Her voice is the … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Dusty Ravens ~ Stories Of Love And Death
Sydneysiders doing Mexicali folk music? On the surface that may sound like a genre exercise but Dusty Ravens prove themselves to be dealers in the authentic, mixing up styles and mood just enough to let a subtle Australiana sound filter through the mariachi flavours, as they do on the Richmond Fontaine meets Paul Kelly vibe … Continue reading
NEWS: Fanny Lumsden & the Thrillseekers announce Sydney residency
Fanny Lumsden & the Thrillseekers have announced an exciting new residency for the month of May at Marrickville’s Vic on the Park. It’s being billed as Swamp Thursdays at the pub and entry is free of charge. Lumsden has an array of guests lined up for the month including some of favourite Americana artists, Katie … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Wagons ~ Why Do You Always Cry (Video)
Wagons are saddling up to hit the trails in support of their brand new LP Acid Rain & Sugar Cane which comes out on May 16th. Check the tour poster below for details and while you’re waiting for the gang to hit your town you can enjoy being serenaded by the epic bombast of the … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Simone Felice | Strangers
Simone Felice returns with a new solo album that includes contributions from his kin The Felice Brothers and Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites of The Lumineers. It finds him sounding more relaxed, mature and carefree than ever before and at under 40 minutes it’s a masterclass in economical, emotive and melodic songwriting. It harnesses the … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: Lost Ragas, Raised By Eagles, Jep & Dep @ Factory Floor, Sydney 15/03/14
Pulling a crowd for an Americana gig in Sydney can be a struggle at times yet the paltry turnout of a dozen people for a gig with a trio of fine, critically lauded acts was disappointing to say the least. To their credit the bands seemed relaxed and grateful for the enthusiasm of those in … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Nikki Lane | Right Time
Nikki Lane has a new album called All Or Nothin’ (her 2nd) coming out on New West Records on May 6th. The first taste of it is ‘Right Time’, a catchy guitar track with heavy bass and an almost rockabilly groove to it, no doubt a result of the production style of Dan Auerbach (The … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Beverley Martyn ~ Reckless Jane (written with Nick Drake)
Beverley Martyn has a new album out on April 22nd. The Phoenix and the Turtle includes the song ‘Reckless Jane’, a co-write with songwriter Nick Drake. Started just months before Drake died, the two wrote the lyrics to the folk song together and first began working on the music during a jam session in Martyn’s home in Hastings. … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Hear three songs from the new Nickel Creek LP
Nickel Creek, featuring Chris Thile (mandolin/vocals), Sara Watkins (fiddle/vocals), and Sean Watkins (guitar/vocals) release their new LP A Dotted Line today (April 1st) via Nonesuch Records. This is their first album since they went on hiatus in 2007 and marks 25 years since they first formed back in 1989. Check out three of the album tracks below. Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: Pokey LaFarge @ The Basement, Sydney (13/03/14)
It was surprising to see that this concert was sold out given that Pokey LaFarge’s profile is only starting to grow in this part of the world. Put it down to a strong roots community with their ears to the ground and word-of-mouth buzz from his other Australian festival and headline shows perhaps. Regardless, … Continue reading
VIDEO: Little Bastard ~ High For You
Here’s the first clip/single from Little Bastard’s forthcoming self-titled debut album. High For You captures the band’s ramshackle good-time vibe on-stage and as a lead single it sets the bar pretty high for the new album which comes out on May 9th via FOUR | FOUR. Continue reading
Merle Haggard classic live album reissued
Next week Merle Haggard’s live album Okie From Muskogee gets reissued on CD by Capitol Nashville to mark its 45th anniversary. It is also paired with another live album previously unreleased on CD, Merle Haggard & The Strangers with Bonnie Owen, The Fightin’ Side of Me. Disc 1: Merle Haggard & The Strangers, Okie from … Continue reading