5 Feet High And Rising Podcast Episode One

This podcast is a spin off of the radio program I present on 106.7 PBS-FM Monday afternoons from 1.00pm AEST.

There are a couple of ways you can listen to the podcast.

1.You can download this episode via itunes HERE.
2.Visit the 5 Feet High and Rising page on mypodcast.com HERE.
3. You can download the podcast as an mp3 file. Right click HERE.


With this podcast I aim to highlight the great alt-country talent we have here in Australia.

All artists have given their express permission for their songs to be used on this podcast.


Feautred first is a song from the Melbourne based duo Jordie Lane & Tracy McNeil who together are know as the Fireside Bellows. Jordie is a born & bred Melbournian but Tracy comes from Toronto in Canada. Having made contact firstly via the internet, the two finally meet face to face at the start of 2007. It quickly became clear that they could sing together like they’d been doing so for centuries. With a shared love of old-time country music and bluegrass, Fireside Bellows skillfully pay homage to these traditions through their two part harmonies and classic songs from days gone by. They also maintain a sense of their own roots, crafting songs from stories from personal experiences in this modern day existence.

If you are in Melbourne you can catch one of the regular the Fire side Bellows gigs. Jordie also performs solo on a regular basis. Check their myspace pages for further details www.myspcace.com/firsidebellows
& www.myspace.com/jordielanemusic

The Fireside Bellows have been working on their debut album which should be out soon. In the meantime, Jordie sent me a couple of songs recorded in his home studio located in the backyard shed.





Matt Joe Gow, who was born in NZ, spent three years travelling the world writing & playing music & developing a sound of his own. While in Canada he formed the band Tearlighter and released an EP called The Truth This Winter. Relocating to England in August 2005 he recorded his debut solo EP called Bullet, a collection of 5 songs reflecting his time overseas.

Now calling Melbourne home, Matt has spent the last year or so writing and recording songs for a new self-titled album, which is out now.

The songs have been recorded at the Woodstock Studios here in Melbourne with Matt’s band The Dead Leaves, an eight piece studio band featuring two members of Augie March (Ed Ammendola & David Williams). The Dead Leaves also include notable local musicians Chris Elliott, Brendan Mitchell & Greg Whitehead.

Matt says he has been influenced by the likes of Whiskeytown & Grant Lee Buffalo as well as fellow Kiwi's Neil Finn & Dave Dobbyn. His new songs are infused with country flavours that can be attributed to these influences. Here is a song from his new 8 track album called At the Seams. The album is available to buy from www.blastmymusic.com. Visit Matt at his myspace page www.myspace/mattjoegowmusic





Downhills Home are another Melbourne based band. The band is made up of Sean McMahon (guitar, vocals), Michael Hubbard (guitar, vocals), Brendan McMahon (keyboard and piano), Josh Duiker (drums) and Tim McCormack (bass).
They deliver a sound that is raw and pure, with a late- 60’s country quality, inspired by The Byrds, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, The Band and early Wilco. Also, to my ears the vocal sounds of vocalist Sean McMahon remind me of Jim James from My Morning Jacket. Their debut album Minor Birds was released last year to widespread acclaim. The album was recorded live with few overdubs. Guest appearances on the album include Matt Walker, Jen Cloher and Laura Jean.
Further details can be found on their page at myspace. www.myspace.com/downhillshome






Next is the Sydney based out fit Jeremy Edwards and the Dust Radio Band.

On the bands myspace website they described their music this way ‘Dirty twang to swampy gospel and southern rock n’ roll from the heart’.
Led by Jeremy the band also features the vocals of Julieanne Henry and this vocal pairing is at the core of the band sound. The other essential ingredient is the pedal steel guitar playing of Roy Payne. Counterpoint to the guitar work is the pulse of one of the country’s finest rhythm sections. From hot swing to grinding R n’ B and fierce boogie, drummer George Brugmans and upright/electric bassist Ben Edwards lay down a passionate, melodic groove.
The band’s album Stay Hungry was released last year and is available from Waterfront Records and all good records stores. Visit them on myspace at www.myspace.com/jeremyedwardsandthedustradioband





Finally on the program is a song from Abbie Cardwell from her album By Hook or By Crook.

Originally from Adelaide, Abbie has travelled the world with her music. For her latest album, Abbie secured the services of her golden fingered, six-stringing older brother Jeb, double bass work of Andy Albanis, tub thumping of acclaimed drummer Ashley Davies and special guest Bedge from Bernard Fanning’s band. A regular on the Australian Festival circuit Abbie has impressed many during 2007 and look set for bigger things in 2008.

Find her myspace page here. www.myspace.com/abbiecardwell






Don’t forget who can listen to the show I present on community radio 106.7 PBS-FM here in Melbourne Mondays from 1.00pm. You can also listen live or on demand via the website at www.pbsfm.org.au.

Stay tuned for Episode two coming soon.