Category: Americana / Alt-Country
ALBUM REVIEW: Jamie Hutchings | Avalon Cassettes
written by Chris Familton Through consistency and a single-minded vision for his music Jamie Hutchings has slowly built an impressive body of solo work post Bluebottle Kiss. Avalon Cassettes is another stellar collection of pure and poetic Australiana songs that confirms Hutchings’ stature as a songwriter of the same quality and ilk as the likes of Dirty Three, Gareth Liddiard and Nick Cave. Over the … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Jamie Hutchings | Avalon Cassettes
LIVE REVIEW: Matt Purcell & The Blessed Curse/Knievel/ Sam Shinazzi @ Annandale Hotel, Sydney (24/02/10)
written by Chris Familton Sam Shinazzi performed as a duo with guitarist Barry Adamson, even though their drummer was in attendance but opted out as he was playing with Matt Purcell later. The minimal framework for the songs served to highlight Shinazzi’s forlorn and love-lost lyrics while at the same time leaving the songs feel somewhat exposed and fragile. A closing cover of Springsteen’s Dancing … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Matt Purcell & The Blessed Curse/Knievel/ Sam Shinazzi @ Annandale Hotel, Sydney (24/02/10)
LIVE REVIEW: Black Mountain @ Annandale Hotel, Sydney (19/02/11)
written by Chris Familton Black Mountain were repeating their March 2009 two night stand at the Annandale – a venue that perfectly suits their psych, stoner rock sound. It needs to be filtered through beer, sticky floors and humid air to really connect and feel like the real deal. The Night Terrors proved to be a nice counterpoint to the more traditional sounds of the … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Black Mountain @ Annandale Hotel, Sydney (19/02/11)
LIVE REVIEW: M. Ward @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney (20/02/11)
written by Chris Familton As M. Ward admitted tonight it had been a while since his last visit and he was touring to promote his album Post War that came out two years ago. That didn’t make for much of a deterrence to the fans who packed out a reduced ‘intimate’ Enmore Theatre for a solo performance. Holly Throsby played a set that showcased some … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: M. Ward @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney (20/02/11)
MIXTAPE: Mixed Feelings 07
DOWNLOAD Here it is, the long overdue volume 7 in the Mixed Feelings mixtape series. This one swings from the dirty garage rock of Two Tears to a dub excursion by Prince Jammy, over to a recent soundtrack piece by The The and the latest single from The Strokes. Plenty more in between so check it out… Continue reading MIXTAPE: Mixed Feelings 07
LIVE REVIEW: Boom! Bap! Pow! @ Raval, Sydney 21/01/11
written by Chris Familton The opening set in the surrounds of Raval’s lush lounge bar was a last minute addition in the form of the Boom! Bap! Pow!’s bass player – Clint Bracknell – playing a solo set on acoustic guitar. Bracknell possesses one hell of a voice with deep, rich tones akin to Ray LaMontagne as well as being a sweet guitarist. It was an … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Boom! Bap! Pow! @ Raval, Sydney 21/01/11
MP3: Buffalo Tom | Arise, Watch…
Buffalo Tom return with a new album Skins on Feb 15th, their first since 07 and from the sound of the first single – Arise, Watch – it promises to be another great record of frayed guitars and worn vocals from one of the great bands of the 90s… DOWNLOAD: Buffalo Tom | Arise, Watch 01 “Arise, Watch” 02 “She’s Not Your Thing” 03 “Down” … Continue reading MP3: Buffalo Tom | Arise, Watch…
NEWS: J Mascis to release first solo album…
On March 15th Sub Pop will release Several Shades Of Why, the debut solo record from Dinosaur Jr’s J Mascis. Guests on the predominately acoustic album include Kurt Vile, Sophie Trudeau (A Silver Mount Zion), Kurt Fedora (long-time collusionist), Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene), Ben Bridwell (Band Of Horses), Pall Jenkins (Black Heart Procession), Matt Valentine (The Golden Road), and Suzanne Thorpe (Wounded Knees). J … Continue reading NEWS: J Mascis to release first solo album…
LIVE REVIEW: Those Darlins @ Annandale Hotel, Sydney 16/12/10
written by Chris Familton A virtually empty Annandale greeted Melbourne’s Puta Madre Brothers meaning the latecomers missed out on a pretty interesting and unique trio. All seated, all playing kick drums and cymbals and all playing guitars – the three military uniform clad musicians cut a striking image on stage and their music was a mad mix of rock n roll, mariachi and country stomp. … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Those Darlins @ Annandale Hotel, Sydney 16/12/10
VIDEO: Okkervil River | Wake & Be Fine
Okkervil River debuted a new song on Fallon last week, taken from their forthcoming album I Am Very Far (May 10). With AC Newman accompanying on vocals it is a rollicking stagger of a song… Check it out HERE Continue reading VIDEO: Okkervil River | Wake & Be Fine
LIVE REVIEW: The Lemonheads @ Metro Theatre, Sydney 01/12/10
written by Chris Familton Evan Dando has always had a strong relationship with Australia, largely forged on the back of his songwriting relationship with Smudge’s Tom Morgan. It was with Morgan that some of Dando’s best work began to emerge in the early 90s and so it was great to see the reactivated Smudge getting The Lemonheads support slot. Smudge ambled on and slotted back … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: The Lemonheads @ Metro Theatre, Sydney 01/12/10
Doubtful Sounds 