by C. Familton The Lumineers are a trio from Denver, Colorado who deal in folk-leaning americana and on this, their debut album, they’ve managed to capture the essence of their sound pretty effectively. They work in a similar realm to the Avett Brothers with various 60s pop influences infusing the songs with heady melodic pop phrasings and a simplicity to arrangements that gives the album … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: The Lumineers | The Lumineers
Suzy Connolly’s highly recommended debut album Night Larks that came out near the start of the year is still one of the best releases of 2012 so we wanted to delve into her musical history to find out what influenced her and which albums were landmarks at various points of her life. The first album I bought… The Police | Regatta De Blanc. I come from … Continue reading SONIC KICKS: Suzy Connolly
Damien Jurado is on a roll at the moment with the recent release of his brilliant album Maraqopa, the follow-up to the equally impressive Saint Bartlett. This time around he has collaborated with Richard Swift, a great musician in his own right, and added some density and electricity to his beautifully weary songs. The duo released Other People’s Songs Volume One, an album of … Continue reading SONG OF THE WEEK: Damien Jurado | Nothing Is the News
Ahead of the release of his long awaited debut album Breaking Hearts and Saving Souls on August 1st, Roland K Smith of Roland K Smith & the Sinners takes us through some of the albums that shaped his musical life. The band will be doing a run of dates to celebrate the release of the album, check the details at the end of this post… The first album … Continue reading SONIC KICKS | Albums That Shaped Me
Columbia Records announced today that Bob Dylan’s new studio album, Tempest, will be released on September 11, 2012. Featuring ten new and original Bob Dylan songs, the release of Tempest coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the artist’s eponymous debut album, which was released by Columbia in 1962. Tempest is Dylan’s 35th studio album and his first since 2009’s Together Through Life. The album was … Continue reading NEWS: Bob Dylan announces new album Tempest
by C. Familton When news first broke that Neil Young & Crazy Horse were reconvening there was a palpable sense of excitement in the virtual air online yet for many that initial burst of joy quickly turned to apprehension when word seeped out that their first new release was going to be a collection of traditional folk songs, many of which are staples of childhood … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Neil Young & Crazy Horse | Americana
by C. Familton Goodgod may not have been host to such fragile music as was on display from Packwood. Featuring Bayden Packwood Hine on banjo/vocals and some wonderful violin and cello accompaniment the trio silenced the small crowd with a handful of songs from Packwood’s debut EP. Space was the key to their appeal and generous helpings of it were used to accentuate what was … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Jack Colwell & The Owls, Brendan Maclean, Packwood @ Goodgod (07/06/12)
Grizzly Bear have awoken from their hibernation with a new (as yet untitled) album in the can and due for release September 17/18th. The band have also released the first single from the album – Sleeping Ute – whose sharper edges and chaotic dynamics you can dive into below. You can also check out their global tour dates below which include November shows in New … Continue reading NEWS: New Grizzly Bear song and album details
by Chris Familton Julia Holter inhabits a fascinating world as a modern composer. Her music doesn’t sit comfortably in any one genre – indie, electronic, ambient or pop – but rather it straddles multiple styles, drifting between them and merely hinting at the musical references that inform her music. Ekstasis is Ancient Greek for ecstasy and specifically being ‘outside of oneself’ and in the context … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Julia Holter | Ekstasis
by Chris Familton Many will know Josh Tillman as the ex drummer for Fleet Foxes but for those who have followed his solo work over seven albums of stark folk music will know him better as a fine purveyor of intimate and emotional songwriting in the vein of Will Oldham, Vic Chesnutt and Damien Jurado. Now Tillman has taken lead from Oldham (Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy) … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Father John Misty | Fear Fun
by Chris Familton My Morning Jacket did the early attendees a great service in bringing Dawes down to Australia with them and it was a real shame more people weren’t there to get a taste of their straightforward Americana that caught the ear with its plentiful use of space and some nice power pop dynamics. Fronted by Taylor Goldsmith, the band is definitely more than … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: My Morning Jacket @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney (03/04/12)
HUMAN FRAILTY SINCE HER LAST VISIT TO AUSTRALIA TINY RUINS’ HOLLIE FULLBROOK HAS BEEN PONDERING HER NEXT MUSICAL MOVE AND CRASHING SCOOTERS. SHE SHE FILLS CHRIS FAMILTON IN ON ALL THE DETAILS. Imagine traveling to a far flung part of the world like Zanzibar to visit someone close to you and with a head full of intrepid explorer ideas, hiring scooters and in the flash … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Tiny Ruins
Doubtful Sounds 