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
Tag Archives: 2016
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
INTERVIEW: Taasha Coates
With The Audreys on a short hiatus, Taasha Coates took the opportunity to record her debut solo album. Ahead of USA shows and an Australian tour she spoke with Chris Familton about the musical journey – from songwriting to the studio. “I just want to be the dirty old granny of Australian country music – Lucinda … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Eagle & The Wolf – Hips
Eagle & The Wolf have released their second single from their self-titled album. ‘Hips’ is the duo (Sarah Humphreys and Kris Morris) hitting a rockabilly groove, soaking it in hot-blooded blues, desire and the optimism of love. Fun clip too! You can catch the pair touring with Kasey Chambers through NSW this Nov/Dec. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: The Felice Brothers – Life In The Dark
Over their career The Felice Brothers have applied broad brushstrokes to the Americana genre. They embody the rich meeting point of country, folk and bluegrass music – where the song comes first and the style is the framework upon which it sits. The latest album feels their most relaxed and natural in years. It rolls … 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: Katie Brianna – Victim Or The Heroine
One her 2013 album Dark Side Of The Morning Katie Brianna seemed to find her voice and settle into her own songwriting. Now in 2016 she has taken that self-belief, crafted an even stronger set of songs and produced a world class album of soulful country-tinged music. With production courtesy of Shane Nicholson, the album … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Robert Ellis – Robert Ellis
Sturgill Simpson might be pegged as the renaissance man of modern country music but there’s a strong case for Texan Robert Ellis as the true heir to that throne. Over four albums he has progressively distanced himself from traditional country and delved deeper and deeper into a rich exploratory style of confessional songwriting. On this … Continue reading
INTERVIEW: Darren Cross
After two decades as a musician, Darren Cross is finally releasing his debut solo album _Xantastic. It is his personal view of the world around him and in his typically unique fashion it draws influence from two seemingly contrasting musical styles in Bruce Springsteen and Kraftwerk. Sitting opposite Darren Cross in the Annandale Hotel … 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
ALBUM REVIEW: The Wilson Pickers – You Can’t Catch Fish From A Train
The folk, country and bluegrass string quintet return with their third album after a period on the sidelines due to Danny Widdicombe undergoing Leukaemia treatment. You get the strong sense these guys play for the thrill of creating communal music together and the chemistry between their voices is a natural fit while still allowing their … Continue reading
NEWS: Howe Gelb Announces New Solo Album Future Standards
Earlier this year Howe Gelb announced that Giant Sand were coming to a conclusion after 30 years stating, “30 years seems an adequate number to aptly utter ‘I kinda quit.” They released Heartbreak Pass in 2015 and are this year releasing a three volume vinyl boxset called The Sun Set. Gelb certainly isn’t wallowing in self-abandoned misery though. Instead … Continue reading
TOUR NEWS: Steve Poltz Announces Australia Tour
Man, he gets around doesn’t he?! The Nova Scotia-born, San Diego raised, Nashville based traveling troubadour Steve Poltz is returning for his second Australian tour of 2016 on the back of his LP Folksinger and this time he’s hitting a whole lot of different parts of the country – from festivals to small clubs. 2016 … Continue reading
TOUR NEWS: Leah Flanagan Announces Saudades Tour
Leah Flanagan is hands down one of this country’s finest songwriters. She has the ability to swing from folk to country, jazz to blues and all corners in-between. Her new album Saudades is coming out on September 16th and she’s hitting the road to play some shows to celebrate its release. The culmination of two … Continue reading