Love Police have a knack for booking repeat tours that build up a local audience for supremely talented artists. In the past they’ve worked with Justin Townes Earle and Robert Ellis. This tour showcased two musicians who have been relatively frequent visitors, though not in a solo capacity. Yet again Love Police have hosted one … Continue reading
Alt-country doesn’t generally get a look-in with the arts festivals so it was pleasing to see the inclusion of Ramblin’ Nights in this year’s Vivid Sydney line-up. This was an evening that ranged in style from laid-back country rock to soulful country-blues hollers and heartland rock n roll. Amber Rae Slade & The Mighty Big … Continue reading
William Crighton’s debut album has been receiving plenty of glowing reviews since its release and this was a night to celebrate the new record – for both fans and Crighton and his band. Partners in life and partners in music – Amber Rae Slade and producer Matt Fell kicked up a fine and impressive storm … Continue reading
This felt like an under-promoted show, certainly in the local Americana community, so it was a pleasant surprise to find large crowd in attendance at The Basement. Opening honours went to Little Georgia who certainly won the crowd over with their blend of soul, indie-folk and a dash of country. They’re a marketers dream with … Continue reading
In the absence of active duty from Sydney band Little Bastard, the various members have pursued solo projects (they kind of already did anyway) and relatively new group The Daphne Rawling Band, led by Ross Tipper features a few members of the rag-tag LB collective, as well as a couple of Cruisin’ Deuces. The punk-ish … Continue reading
This was a public holiday with reduced trading hours which meant an early start time for the local support act Le Pie. Backed by a five-piece band, she was one part Kim Gordon, one part 60s girl group. Over a bed of indie rock they showed a fine stylistic range, especially on their set-closer which … Continue reading
This was an evening of three shades of solo performance, three acoustic guitars, three bewitching voices and a common thread of dark humour. Aucklander Seth Frightening serenaded the slow-filling room with his fascinating mix of spooky, atmospheric folk music. With an emotive and melancholically angelic voice he stepped out of the standard folk singer paradigm … Continue reading
This was a night of rock ’n roll, blues, country, folk and soul, those landmark styles that set the ground rules for the last six decades of music and it showed that artists who trade in those genres, with authenticity, respect and reverence, continue to attract devoted fans. A Man Called Stu and pedal steel … Continue reading
With the change in weather from high temperatures to blustery storms, the Hyde Park festival village became a somewhat deserted and mud-laden location. That didn’t deter the committed and curious fans of Chicago’s Ryley Walker from scurrying beneath umbrellas to the steps of The Famous Spiegeltent for what would be a spellbinding set of acoustic … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes, Imogen Clark, Hussy Hicks @ The Basement, Sydney (18/11/15) Hussy Hicks created one impressive and soulful sound as the opening act at the latest showcase evening presented by Lost Highway Records. Their blend of country, blues, jazz and soul is grounded in Julz Parker’s consummate guitar playing and … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: Marlon Williams & The Yarra Benders, Ben Salter @ Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (21/11/15) With the sold-out sign stuck to the front window of the venue Ben Salter ambled on-stage, unassuming and with that tousled mop of hair. Sans The Gin Club he’s a riveting performer with loop and vocal effect pedals and … Continue reading
Peter Bibby graced the stage in solo format for his opening set and he’s increasingly becoming a rambling rambunctious storyteller. Looking like a homeless Jeffrey Lee Pierce and dispensing his brand of Dylanesque Australian larrikin song he charmed the audience with plenty of songs from his last album including fan favourites Hates My Boozin’, Cunt … Continue reading
In the absence of the cancelled Sydney leg of the Out On The Weekend festival it was up to the sideshows to show us what we were missing out on. What we got was a masterclass in playing from the OOTW house band led by the charismatic Robert Ellis. Their first set was backing Alabama’s … Continue reading
This was a night of friends and collaborators celebrating the release of Shane Nicholson’s new solo LP Hell Breaks Loose. Nicholson produced Josh Rennie-Hynes’ debut album February and invited the songwriter down from Brisbane to open the show. Rennie-Hynes had only met local pedal steel player Jy-Perry Banks (Cruisin’ Deuces) that afternoon but the pair … Continue reading
Lost Highway Records continue to showcase the best new and established acts spanning folk, alt. country and rock n roll. William Crighton and his band the Circus Men had opening honours and filled the room with their soulful and ragged country rock. There was a nod to one of the genre’s icons with their cover … Continue reading
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