Another incredible long weekend of cosmic country music in the idyllic surrounds of the Hunter Valley. A ton of highlights at the festival this year (as always) but my PTW gold star picks for this year go to Skyscraper Stan & The Commission Flats, Grace Cummings, Watty Thompson, Bud Rokesky, The Tall Stories, Sweet Talk, … Continue reading
Sometimes the simplest songs are the most affecting. The bare and poetic conveyance of heartfelt thoughts and emotions always ring the truest and Austin, TX songwriter JD Casper has done just that. The song came to him in an inspired moment over a morning coffee and JD says “I hope he listens to this throughout … Continue reading
AMERICAN AQUARIUM CHICAMACOMICO LOSING SIDE RECORDS / THIRTY TIGERS On their ninth studio album, American Aquarium and frontman BJ Barham take a deep dive into loss and ultimately seek to provide solace and hope to the listener. Their brand of emotive Americana is perfectly suited to this kind of subject matter as they tread the … Continue reading
We covered an earlier single of Rachel Angel‘s, ‘Strapped’, in 2020 and it’s a pleasure to again be invited into the swirling and evocative pop-laced country folk sound she does so effortlessly. Taken from the new album Midnite Heart Attack, released earlier this month, ‘Closer To Myself‘, is a tour de force of how to … Continue reading
RYAN ADAMS ROMEO & JULIET PAXAM RECORDING COMPANY Three years since the NY Times article that revealed his totally inappropriate behaviour with past partners, fellow musicians and fans and cast him into the musical wilderness, Ryan Adams has been slowly rebuilding his career on his own label. Wednesdays (2020), Big Colors (2021) and Chris (2022) … Continue reading
Sydney group Lady Lyon have been impressing with each single release over the last couple of years and now they’re heading towards the release of their new EP Charity Bag, set for release in April 2023. They’v also been keeping busy with a string of opening slots for the likes of Jen Cloher, C.W. Stoneking, … Continue reading
Following on from his excellent 2020 album Hey Stranger (and a subsequent single and EP), CJ Stranger has released the soaring and intricate new single ‘You May Run‘. At first glance it’s an upbeat folk rock sound but it quickly reveals multiple layers and dynamic twists and turns. The rhythmic strumming is reminiscent of some … Continue reading
It may sound simplistic on the surface but there are all manner of influences lurking below the surface of Sea Mouse‘s song ‘Cold and Lonely’, the opening track on their new EP Evil Heart. Hendrix, The White Stripes, The Black Keys, Led Zeppelin, The Datsuns, garage rock and electric Mississippi blues. They approach all those … Continue reading
Melbourne singer-songwriter Watty Thompson has today released single number three from his forthcoming debut solo album on Cheatin’ Hearts Records. ‘City To Run‘ is an epic six minutes of folk spirited country music that runs the gamut of rollicking and rousing sing-along to ruminative musings on the challenges and hardships of city living and the … Continue reading
Workhorse have had a huge national response to their new album No Photographs and rightly so, it’s a beautiful amalgam of country music and shoegaze/dream-pop, like Cowboy Junkies and Mazzy Star around a starlit desert campfire. The Kaurna land/Adelaide singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Harriet Fraser-Barbour has today released the video clip for ‘Mary Maiden’, a reimagining of Joan Baez’ … Continue reading
WILCO CRUEL COUNTRY DPBM RECORDS ‘Country’ as in the USA or ‘Country’ as in the genre? Cleverly it’s a subtle blend of both on this new 21 track double album from the band that long ago took an experimental and ‘anything goes’ diversion, from alt-county to post-country. More than that it’s a wide-ranging, intimate and … Continue reading
Henry Wagons has today released his brand new single ‘(Don’t Be) Down And Out‘, the first taste of his new solo album, his first for Cheatin’ Hearts Records, which will be out in 2023. The song hits an irresistible and strutting, country funk groove with nimbly spiralling guitar and Henry playing the role of hoedown … Continue reading
LORI finds Iron & Wine drawing from the songbook of noted singer-songwriter and multiple Grammy winner Lori McKenna. The whole EP will be available digitally worldwide on September 16th with vinyl to follow and pre-sales starting Sept 16th via Iron & Wine webshop. Recorded at the famed Sam Phillips Studios (Memphis, TN) with producer Matt Ross-Spang, Iron & Wine’s … Continue reading
DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS WELCOME 2 CLUB XIII ATO RECORDS After a run of albums that painted a perceptive picture of modern America and the ramifications of its recent political history, Drive-By Truckers switch the focus to their own formative years as young men seeking adventure and taking tentative steps towards rock ‘n’ roll dreams. Club XIII … Continue reading
As we hurtle towards the start of spring in this part of the world it’s always nice synchronicity when a song comes along that feels like the aural and sonic equivalent of that sense of warmer days, a skip in the step and new growth. Brisbane-Meanjin indie-folk quintet Full Power Happy Hour have a brand … Continue reading
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