On May 19th, Justin Bernasconi releases Barefoot Wonderland, his second and fine new album of folk guitar music that explores bluegrass, country, the American Primitive style, folk and the blues. It’s a wonderful blend of English and American styles and a showcase for his exemplary playing – full of colour, control and tone, mixed with strong … Continue reading
FROM FORMATION TO PRESERVATION Nadia Reid has made good on the promise of her debut album and ahead of a run of Australian shows she talks with Chris Familton about the emotional investment in her new release Preservation. Avoiding the much talked about second album syndrome is a big thing, given that it has unraveled … Continue reading
It feels like the week of The Morrisons around here. With their new self-titled album garnering great reviews they’re back in Sydney for their album launch this Sunday night (March 12th) at Newtown Social Club with guests Andy Golledge Band and Women’s Auxiliary Choir plus I’ll be spinning folk and alt-country tunes between sets. In fact … Continue reading
Burnt-Out Pedalboards & Fucked-Up Guitars Prior to entering Ryan Adams’ hotel room I had preconceived ideas running through my head about what I might encounter. Will there be a pinball machine in the corner? Will Adams be reclining on the bed strumming a guitar, having just written a dozen new songs? The reality of the … Continue reading
Small Town Romance are a five-piece band but at their core they are Jim Arneman and Flora Smith, an Australian duo who weave authentic country sounds into a modern Americana context. Two beautiful voices that intertwine and tell tales of heartache populated with people and places. On their self-titled album of last year they created a … Continue reading
PICKING UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF Back in the saddle after Danny Widdicombe overcame leukaemia for the third time, The Wilson Pickers have reconvened to celebrate the simple joy of making music together. Sime Nugent chatted to Chris Familton about the circumstances in which the new album came about. In 2012 The Wilson Pickers were … Continue reading
Across eight albums, Devendra Banhart has explored all corners of folk and esoteric pop music with both authenticity and free-form eccentricity. He’s played it straight and pure, joyous and playful; all the while pushing the boundaries, from instrumental ragas to songs with artfully obtuse titles such as ‘Tit Smoking In The Temple Of Artesan Mimicry’. … Continue reading
The term troubadour is bandied about as a kind of romantic notion of a songwriter riding the rails, traveling and singing for his supper. Josh Rennie-Hynes fits that description more than most singer/songwriters in Australia, regularly relocating to different cities and countries – all in the name of spreading his music and developing his songwriting … Continue reading
Taking the leap from being part of a band to standing on one’s own feet as a solo performer had never occurred to Dear Orphans’ Nick Payne. When it was suggested, he decided to approach the Rise Up Like A River project with 100% commitment and passion. As a founding member (with partner Lyn Taylor) … Continue reading
There have been plenty of stories of albums recorded while holed up in cabins in secluded locations, often documenting and dissecting a failed romance. Krista Polvere undertook a similar process in a basement in Virginia but in her case the relationship was still in motion and the partner in question was also the album’s producer. … Continue reading
With the recent release of his sophomore album Violet Road, Sydney Americana artist Sam Newton has certainly made good on the promise he showed on his debut Set In Stone. The new record is intensely honest and personal, the result of Newton’s focus and desire to become the best songwriter he can possibly be. With … Continue reading
Warnings & Wisdom may only be her second album but American songwriter Jen Mize has already lived a colourful musical life that has taken her from Las Vegas casinos to the Boston Conservatory, from the Duke Ellington Orchestra to a home on the Sunshine Coast. Jen Mize’s debut Fear, Pride And A Few Stubborn Angels … Continue reading
There’s a saying “you only get one shot”, yet over time rock ’n’ roll has proven that’s not necessarily the case. One such example is Glad Reed and David Claringbold. Collaborators in life and music since the mid 80s, they demonstrate on their new album The Road, that they’re still driven by a shared passion … Continue reading
STAYING IN THE SONGWRITING SADDLE Lindi Ortega returned to Australia last month for the Out On The Weekend festival and her own headline shows. She fills Chris Familton in on what she’s been up to in the year since her album Faded Gloryville was released. Canadian (and Nashville resident) country singer/songwriter Lindi Ortega will make her third visit … Continue reading
ALL STRUNG OUT Californian bluegrass exponents The Brothers Comatose are constantly on the road, visiting interesting places and mixing lifestyle with their job as working musicians. On the back of their appearance at this year’s Dashville Skyline festival, Chris Familton caught up with singer/guitarist Ben Morrison to find out more. They might have a name that … Continue reading
