The third instalment of The Wild Wild Inner West Revue happened last night at The Vanguard in Newtown and the small crowd was treated to another excellent night of music. Bree De Rome, recently relocated to Sydney from the Gold Coast, opened the evening with a strong set of intimate country-tinged torch songs with some … Continue reading
Laura Jean opened the evening with an absorbing set that highlighted both her clever lyrical turns and delicate, almost textural finger-picking guitar style. Songs about married life, domesticity and crazy dogs from her 2014 album comprised the bulk of her performance as she drew the audience into her world of observational songwriting and dry-humour. Her … Continue reading
Ben Horder’s set started with some guitar issues and forgotten lyrics but that was quickly overcome and he set about delivering a batch of honest, observational songs that chronicled everyday life in Australia. With a style reminiscent of Neutral Milk Hotel and The Tallest Man On Earth his set concluded with two thirds of the … Continue reading
Solo and acoustic, Shane Nicholson previewed songs from Hell Breaks Loose as well as various highlights from his back catalogue. With his laid-back and commanding stage presence he offered up observations on the dangers of facial hair and harmonicas between songs and coyly commending the audience for supporting real country music. A social media … Continue reading
Melbourne’s Lost Ragas set the scene early with a set that felt more low-key than some of their other recent shows but it was by no means any less captivating. Their sound was a widescreen take on soulful blues and country with flashes of Beatles-esque and 70s power pop. From tales of 1970s motorcycle daredevil … Continue reading
Ruby Boots had opening honours and showed just why the powers that be at Lost Highway Records have recently signed her as a recording artist. With electric guitarist Lee Jones carving out some wonderful solos and backing she showcased her songs (old and brand new) of heartache sung with a strong country voice and interspersed … Continue reading
Roger Knox has been a legend of the Aboriginal music scene and the wider country music community since the 1980s. In recent years Knox’s music has spread to a larger audience via Clinton Walker’s Buried Country book/soundtrack/documentary (2000) on Aboriginal country music and his 2013 collaboration with Welsh musician/producer Jon Langford on the landmark album … Continue reading
Harry Hookey has been touring his Misdiagnosed album all over the country since it’s release and tonight’s opening slot for partner Kasey Chambers was an opportunity to reach a wide demographic of music fan. The majority of the seated crowd responded warmly to Hookey’s enthusiastic performance, genial stage manner and the memorable melodies he embeds … Continue reading
Last night the wonderful Mother Hen Touring presented a great triple bill at the Petersham Bowling Club in Sydney’s inner west. Bell St Delays are the wife and husband duo of Tracy McNeil and Luke Sinclair (Raised By Eagles) and they played a beautiful set that gently dipped into country and folk styles while staying fully … Continue reading
Fraser A. Gorman was subject to the vagaries of a Sydney audience who seemed more concerned with chatting about their day than soaking up his solo opening set. Resplendent in a polka dot shirt with curly hair, harmonica and acoustic guitar, most would have commented on the visual similarities to Bob Dylan and there were … Continue reading
Josh T. Pearson used to conjure up fire and brimstone dramatics with his band Lift To Experience in the early 2000s but since then he has retreated into a solo career with one album and a reputation for intense and drawn out live performances of his songs. With the audience sprawled and seated across the … Continue reading
James Thomson opened proceedings with a strong set that showcased songs from his forthcoming album Cold Moon as well as a brace of covers including songs by Blaze Foley and Jimmie Rodgers. Thomson is a master of understated blues-based country and showed his ability to capture the audience’s attention with evocative lyrics, wonderful finger-picking and … Continue reading
Aria award nominee Harry Hookey had the honour of serenading the early arrivals and he did a superb job of capturing and maintaining their attentiveness with an engaging set. Predominately folk-based with a dash of country, Hookey showed his ability to invest real emotion in what might be clumsy turns of phrase in lesser hands. … Continue reading
As the incredible list of Americana acts visiting our shores continues (courtesy of Love Police and Out On The Weekend), last night saw contrasting shades of alt-country serenade the Newtown Social Club and a room full of music and media who’s who of the Sydney Americana scene (Emma Swift, Jep & Dep, Fanny Lumsden, Bernard … Continue reading
Skyscraper Stan made his way up from Melbourne to play support and he did a sterling job, setting the scene with just his guitar, voice and self-deprecating humour. Impossibly tall, hence the nom de plume, and possessing a deep, richly-toned voice he played a set that showed his impressive lyrical ability, dissecting and poeticised topics … Continue reading
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