Regular listeners to the show would know that Todd Snider is one of my particular favourites. He has made a habit of releasing albums on a regular basis and his latest "The Excitement Plan" is out now on Yep Roc. Once again it a beauty! Made with the help of legendary producer Don Was it's a more personal album than last years "Peace Queer". Snider's greatest gift is his talent for words and once again each song has you listening intently for words of wisdom. For me, Snider has the ability to articulate the way I feel and think about things better than I ever could and I think that's why I love his work so much. The album also contains a duet "Don't Tempt me" with Loretta Lynn.
As always it best to leave it up to Snider himself to tell us what it's all about; "Initially The Excitement Plan (June 9th on Yep Roc Records) wasn't supposed to be about anything. I was just trying to come up with the best... most open hearted ... well-thought-out lyrics I could come up with. I wanted every song to be sad and funny at the same time, vulnerable and entertaining at the same time, personal and universal at the same time. I wanted every song to be as uniquely written as possible and then I wanted to perform them in a studio loose and rugged and hopefully as uniquely as I could. My hope is to be hard to describe and/or new…I'm not saying I am. I'm just saying that's the hope."
It's available from YepRoc and eMusic or in all good record stores.
"Believe it or not" is the sixth full length album by the Berks County, Pennsylvania based band. Still fiercely independent, the band put the album out on ZoBird Records earlier this year. Originally a bluegrass outfit they have evolved over the years but still maintain that original element in their music.
The band convenes every Tuesday night at the house of one of the band members to play music and share a meal. They have a rehearsal space and a recording studio at the house and the album was put together in these comfortable surrounds. Frog Holler sings songs about hope for the future in uncertain times and that the lessons learnt from the past will be remembered.The album is available from eMusic or CdBaby
Originally from North Dakota, Leo Rondeau’s now lives Austin, Texas. His 2007 debut, "Bangs, Bullets and the Turtle Mountains", mixes traditional country and bluegrass and is mostly about stories of his younger days in ND. His latest album is called "Down at the End of the Bar" and it continues on from where his debut left off. And as with the first CD, it is self-released via cdbaby or iTunes.
Rondeau possess that classic gravel-based country voice that sounds as old as time itself and much like other new kids on the block, Ryan Bingham and Hayes Caryl, he is sure to keep gaining new fans.
The Low Anthem hail from Rhode Island USA. It's probably the first time I've played a song from a band from there. The band are Ben Knox Miller, Jeff Prystowsky and Jocie Adams. The album "Oh My God, Charlie Darwin" was originally released in 2008 in a limited run of only about 2000 copies with cover art hand painted by the band. Nonesuch have re-released the album in the USA this month. No news on a local release but the album is available from itunes, eMusic and Amazon.
All three members of the band are multi-instrumentalists and they shared around different instruments while making the album. Described as chamber folk and compared to the likes of Sufjan Stevens, Sam Beam and even Nick Drake the album is a gem. Recommended also for those who enjoyed the likes of Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver last year.
John Doe and the Sadies have delivered a great album with "Country Club". The result of a drunken promise made a while back when The Sadies were playing with Doe's band The Knitters. It really is a corker.
They pay homage to their country music heroes by covering songs by Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings and late-night ballads by Tammy Wynette and Roger Miller. They also provide four originals, three of them by The Sadies (two are instrumentals) and one by Doe with his long time musical partner (X and The Knitters) Exene Cervenka.
John Doe has made the country album he has always threatened to make and it's a fine tribute to the Bakersfield and Countrypolitain Nashville sounds of days gone by.
The Easey Street Sessions: Jim White and John Doe (9th March 2009)
Tune into 5ft High and Rising with Myles O'Neil-Shaw at 1pm on Monday 9th March to hear Jim White and John Doe live!
Jim White was born in 1957 in Pensacola, Florida to a Pentecostal family, and was influenced in his childhood by gospel music. According to various sources, he has been a comedian, a fashion model, a boxer, a preacher, a professional surfer, and a New York cab driver. Before embarking on a music career, White attended film school at New York University, and entered a self-described “deep hole of sickness and depression and poverty”. However, during a party organized by film school friends, White began to perform, and began writing material for an album soon afterward.
John Doe was born John Nommensen Duchac in 1954 in Decatur, Illinois. He is singer, songwriter, actor, poet and bass player who was the founder of the legendary and massively influential LA punk band X. His musical compositions and performances also include country and folk music. He is also a film and television actor, appearing in such films as Roadside Prophets, Salvador, Boogie Nights, and music videos for The Doors’ “LA Woman” and The Ramones “Something to Believe In”.
These two alt country legeds are coming together for the Golden Plains Festival.
Here is some information of some of the new music heard on 5 Feet High and Rising recently. Come back often as I hope to make posts here more frequent:-)
Strand of Oaks - Leave Ruin
Following on the heels of the success of Justin Veron and his band Bon Iver we have another quirky folk album by another relatively unknown artist called Timothy Showalter. He records under the name Strand of Oaks. Showalter spent some time in the highlands of Northern Pennsylvania recording “Leave Ruin”, his debut album. Showalter wrote the songs for this album after he lost his house in a fire. Using borrowed instruments he wrote the songs in hotel room and on park benches. His style has been compared to Will Oldham and like Oldham you can hear the longing and desperation in his voice. All told a great debut from an artist to watch in 2009.
Doug Paisley - Doug Paisley
Not to be confused with his namesake Brad, Doug Paisley is a Canadian artist with a fondness for his countrymen Neil Young and The Band, Levon Helm in particular (yeah I know Helm was a yank) and enjoys writing and singing low key quieter songs. . Paisley also has a similarity to Bonnie Prince Billy (Will Oldham) whom he toured with recently. Pedal steel and piano fill the tracks as does harmony vocal from Simone Schmidt. It’s all done with just enough of a country feel to keep us interested.
Phosphorescent - To Willie
Matthew Houck, who records under the name Phosphorescent has made an album length tribute to Willie Nelson, simply called “To Willie” – a play on one of Willie’s own albums released in 1975 called To Lefty from Willie, a tribute to Lefty Frisell. Sounding even more laid back than Nelson (if that’s possible) Houck and a revolving cast of collaborators has produced a loving and respectful tribute to one of the greats. Houck has trawled through the extensive Nelson catalogue and has resisted the urge to cover Nelson’s better known tunes. Instead he has chosen some lesser known gems, the results of which are stunning and well worth a listen – or two.
This podcast is a spin off of the radio program I present on 106.7 PBS-FM Monday afternoons from 1.00pm AEST.
With this podcast I aim to highlight the great alt-country talent we have here in Australia.
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.
In this podcast I will be featuring an interview I recorded at PBS with Andre Hooke from Khancoban. Andre has a chat about the bands debut full length album and plays a couple of tunes from it for us.
I will also be playing some music from a great bunch of artists primarily based here in Melbourne. They have all recently released or are about to release new material and most have helped out on each others recordings. They are a great example of the vibrant alt-country and Americana scene here in this city.
Sean McMahon - Welcome to Gippsland
On my first podcast I played a song from the Downhill’s Home album called Minor Birds. Now Sean McMahon the singer and songwriter from the band has released a solo album called Welcome to Gippsland. Sean has called the whole project a “Story Book Album” It’s a collection of fictional narratives from the perspectives of four characters. Sean takes the lead role and the rest of the cast is made up of special guests including Matt Walker in the role of a “friend of Jim’s”, Liz Stringer as Mary and Laura Jean as Case. Together with Sean they have created an album of sparse country licks and somber blues.
Liz Stringer also makes an appearance on a couple of the other songs featured on this podcast plus I will play a song from her own album later as well. Welcome to Gippsland is out now through Major Label Records.
Van Walker - Celestial Railroad and other Stories
Van Walker was born in Tasmania in 1978. He moved to Melbourne with his brother Cal in 2000. They formed a rock band called the Swedish Magazines and played around with the more country stuff on the side. Taking a break from the Swedes, Van has just released his debut solo album called Celestial Railroad and other stories. It’s filled with songs about paranoid spies and love-sick rabbits, urban bandits and tram-hopping misadventures. The album is released through Croxton Records. Other than Van and Cal the band consists of Zane Lynd on bass and Chris Altmann on drums. Other performances come from Jeb Cardwell and Liz Stringer.
Khancoban - Limbs may fall
Khancoban was formed back in 2004 by Andre Hooke with his partner Jemima Hooke as a two piece. Andrew Bonnici on Lap Steel & banjo and Pete Cohen formerly of Sodastream on bass have since joined the band. Prior to their Debut album Limbs may fall they released a self titled ep in 2006.
The band takes its name from a small town nestled in the Snowy Mountains in NSW close to the Victorian border. They are signed to the Sydney based label Half a Cow. These two facts alone have lead to a misconception that the band is from NSW. But they are actually Melbourne based.
Andre came into the PBS studio recently to talk about the band’s first album and he played a couple of tunes as well.
Fireside Bellows - No Time To Die
On my first podcast I played a couple of demos from the then forthcoming album by the Fireside Bellows. The album is due out on November 15th through Vitamin Distribution. The album is called No Time to Die and it’s a beauty.
Recorded live over 9 days at Spicerack Studios in Brunswick, Melbourne, No Time To Die is a remarkable debut album from the alt. country harmony collaboration of local acclaimed Melbourne Song-smith Jordie Lane and Canadian singer-songwriter Tracy McNeil. The two met on line a while back and Tracy came to Melbourne unannounced and found Jordie quickly by hanging out in local Melbourne music venues. Within a year they had formed the band, co-written and now released this stunning debut.
Country and bluegrass influenced the album celebrates a shared love of American roots music, No Time To Die also displays this duo's unique connection in the art of co-writing and harmony singing.
The album features many guest appearances including Liz Stringer, Andy Baylor and the brilliant pedal steel work of Garrett Costigan.
Liz Stringer - Pendulum
We’ve heard a lot of work so far from some great artists made with some contribution from Liz Stringer. It’s now time to play something from her new album called Pendulum. Distributed by One Little Indian Enterprises many of artists that Liz helped out return the favor on Pendulum. Jordie Lane, Matt Walker, Jen Anderson, Michael Hubbard from Downhill’s Home plus a few others all make a contribution.
Skipping Girl Vinegar - Sift the Noise
Taking their name from the iconic Melbourne neon sign of Audrey the ‘Skipping Girl' in Richmond, Skipping Girl Vinegar is Chris Helm (drums), Mark Lang (Lead Vox, Guitar), Amanthi Lynch (Keys) & Sare Lang (Bass).
They released their album Sift the Noise recently on the label Popboomerang Label. The album was recorded in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and studios across Melbourne, as well as ‘The Lookout’, a beach shack in Aireys Inlet on the Great Ocean Road. Testament to the band’s obsession with melody, pop-hooks, and the search to stretch their song craft, the result is a dark, warm, organic record that reflects the environments and journey of the band throughout the writing and recording of the album.
The album packaging itself is a sight to behold. Made to look like a library book, it opens gatefold style and includes two booklets, one with the song lyrics and the other with photos of the band. If you buy the album at gigs it also comes with a small calico library bag.
It's a pleasure to feature my first Australian album as "Album of the Month".
The album "No Time to Die" by Fireside Bellows is a wonderful album of high quality Americana harmony singing by Jordie Lane and Tracy McNeil in the style of Gillian Welch & David Rawlings or Caitlin Cary & Thad Cockrell.
Recorded live over 9 days at Spicerack Studios in Brunswick, Melbourne, No Time To Die is a remarkable debut album from the alt. country harmony collaboration of local acclaimed Melbourne Song-smith Jordie Lane and Canadian singer-songwriter Tracy McNeil. The two met on line a while back and Tracy came to Melbourne unannounced and found Jordie quickly by hanging out in local Melbourne music venues. Within a year they had formed the band, co-written and now released this stunning debut.
Country and bluegrass influenced the album celebrates a shared love of American roots music, No Time To Die also displays this duo's unique connection in the art of co-writing and harmony singing.
The album features many guest appearances including Liz Stringer, Andy Baylor and the brilliant pedal steel work of Garrett Costigan.
Fireside Bellows launch the album at an afternoon show at the Northcote Social Club on November 23rd. The album is released on November 15th on Vitamin Records.
I recently spoke to Andre Hooke from Khancoban on the program. The band has recently released their first full length album called "Limbs May Fall" on the Sydney based label Half A Cow.
The band takes its name from a small town in the Snowy Mountains causing some confusion that they are from that part of the world. They are actually Melbourne based and material for the album was composed in two places, a Warehouse in inner Melbourne and in the bands own studio located in the more rural surrounds of Kallista. The album was recorded at Headgap Studios in Preston.
You can listen to the whole interview with Andre via the Five Feet High and Rising Podcast. Andre also played two songs which are also included.
Khancoban are: Andre Hooke Jemima Hooke Andrew Bonnici Pete Cohen
The long awaited debut album from the Fireside Bellows (Jordie Lane & Tracey McNeil)is called "No Time to Die" and will be launched on November 23rd at the Northcote Social Club.
Jordie has sent through the following details. A must see event!
After forming a duo less than a year ago, It is with great pleasure that we, Jordie Lane & Tracy McNeil, can announce that our debut album entitled "No Time To Die", will be released nationally next month, in stores Saturday 15th November, through vitamin distribution.
And to celebrate we will be having a very special Album Launch the following Sunday 23rd November at The Northcote Social Club (ARVO SHOW).
The launch will feature some of Melbourne's finest players who appeared on the record: Garrett Costigan-pedal steel, Liz Stringer-Banjo, Andy Baylor-Fiddle, Stevie Hesketh-Keys, and many more. We are delighted that Suzannah Espie, and Red Fish Bluegrass will be opening the show, and the arvo will be hosted by comedian Denise Scott.
Doors open at the very civilized hour of 2:30pm, show kicks off at 3pm. So you can be home for your Sunday Roast by 7pm.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE, as of Mon 13th Oct, so what are you waiting for, hurry? click the link or call the number below to pre-book.
Fireside Bellows Album Launch Sunday 23rd November Northcote Social Club $12 +booking fee or $15 at the door if still available Tickets on sale at the NSC box office (301 High St, Northcote), Ph: 94861677 and online via www.northcotesocialclub.com
Downhills Home have announced plans relating to their forthcoming album & news about upcoming tours. The first song to be lifted from the new album is called "Pluto's Blues" & it will be available to download October 28th via their website.
Although it's been a quiet winter for Melbourne five piece Downhills Home, it's been by no means uneventful. While singer Sean McMahon has finished his album 'Welcome to Gippsland', (out now through MGM) the band has been working on the follow up to their critically acclaimed debut album of last year, 'Minor Birds'. The new material sees the band progress from their alt-country roots to a heavier 60's inspired rock'n'roll sound. Now, ready and rested, and with a heap of new material, Downhills Home are set to hit the stage again.
They will embark on not one but two East Coast tours simultaneously supporting Epicure and the internationally acclaimed Dandy Warhols after being hand picked by the band themselves.
Following that, Downhills Home will host their own show to launch their new single, 'Pluto's Blues', a teaser from the bands highly anticipated second album.
Tour Dates: 23 oct. the Annandale Hotel, Sydney, NSW,supporting Epicure 24 oct. Baroque, Katoomba, NSW, supporting Epicure 25 oct. Manly Fisho's, Manly, NSW, supporting Epicure 26 oct. Brass Monkey, Cronulla, NSW, supporting Epicure 30 oct. the Pub, Bendigo, VIC , supporting Epicure 31 oct. the Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW, supporting the Dandy Warhols 1 nov. the Corner Hotel, Melbourne, Vic, supporting Epicure 2 nov. the Westernport Hotel, San Remo, Vic, supporting Epicure 3 nov. the Barwon Heads Hotel, Geelong, Vic , supporting Epicure 5 nov. the Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane, QLD , supporting the Dandy Warhols 6 nov. the Palace Theatre, Melbourne, Vic, supporting the Dandy Warhols 7 nov. the Palace Theatre , Melbourne, Vic, supporting the Dandy Warhols 28 nov. the Evelyn, Fitzroy, Vic. PLUTO's BLUES SINGLE LAUNCH with Pony Face and Hello Morning
Todd Snider has made his new album "Peace Queer" available to download for free from today (October 11th) until the end of the month.
Go to his website www.toddsnider.net for the download. The actual CD is released on October 14th.
From Todd's Myspace page: The overtly political 'Peace Queer' takes a bit of a left turn for the outspoken Snider, beginning with the cover photo, which depicts Snider being held at gunpoint by a shirtless hippie. "Clearly, anyone who looks at the photograph can tell that I had been abducted by an international league of peace queers and forced to write protest music. You know, for their cause," says Snider.
The eight tracks on 'Peace Queer' include a Civil War sea shanty, a plaintive cover of the classic "Fortunate Son," a spoken-word number, a rocket-fueled meditation on contemporary culture ("Stuck On The Corner"), and a Fred Sanford-ish funeral dirge. The emotional centerpiece of the album is the wistful "Ponce Of The Flaming Peace Queer."
"'Peace Queer' is a six-song cycle, starting with a song called 'Mission Accomplished,'" Snider explains. "In six sentences, the record goes like this: Here's the kid being told everything's going to be great. Here's the reality of that. Here's that kid when he comes home a sad and banged-up and angry 'winner.' Here's the breakdown of why I think that's happening. Here's the guy in our culture that I think is causing that to happen, and it's not a president. And then here's what I think is going to happen to that guy. And then we roll credits."
On 'Peace Queer', those credits include Patty Griffin, Kevin Kinney, Don Heron, Doug Lancio, Will Kimbrough and other luminaries.
"Things happen in this album besides you being told that war is wrong, with a beat," Snider says. "I don't know that war is wrong. I just know that I'm a peace queer, and I'm totally into it when people aren't fighting, in my home, at the bar where I hang out, or in a field a million miles away."
Justin Townes Earle is coming to Australia in November. Tour dates as follows:
23 Nov Troubadour QLD 25 Nov Annandale Hotel NSW 26 Nov Grace Emily Hotel SA 28 Nov The Palais - Hepburn Springs VIC 29 Nov Meeniyan Hall VIC 30 Nov The Toff in Town VIC
Justin is of course the son of Steve Earle, who himself will complete a tour of Australia just weeks before his son.
A modern-day troubadour, Earle blends genres seamlessly, framing his songs in warm musical settings and creating tunes that could easily be mistaken for classics. His album "The Good Life" was released earlier this year to widespread acclaim.
The Living and the Dead, Jolie Holland’s new ANTI- album, is quite simply a breakthrough, the album her adoring fans have been waiting for. With a vocal style hailed by the Village Voice as “sultry and sweet, despairing and lonely,” Jolie has experimented in the past with various settings for her unique, jazz-inflected voice; this time, working with collaborators like M. Ward and Marc Ribot, Ms. Holland has embraced both the rocking side of her roots heritage, and the compositional possibilities of the recording studio, multi-tracking her voice extensively for the first time.
Track Listing:
1. Mexico City 2. Corrido Por Buddy 3. Palmyra 4. You Painted Yourself In 5. Fox In Its Hole 6. Your Big Hands 7. Sweet Loving Man 8. Love Henry 9. The Future 10. Enjoy Yourself
Formed back in 2006 by three singer-songwriters, the Band of Heathens (BOH) released their debut studio album in May.
Colin Brooks, Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist started playing together at a club in Austin Texas called Momo's. At first sharing the bill the trio started to help out on each others stuff & the band was born. In 2007 drummer John Chipman joined to round out the band.
The first two releases from BOH were both live albums (Live at Antones & Live at Momo's), and the band was duly recognised as the new band to watch. In fact at the SXSW conference in 2007 the band won the award for "Best New Band". They were also nominated for many others.
On this debut studio album the band called on Ray Wylie Hubbard to produce it. He also makes a musical contribution as do other special guests Patty Griffin, Gurf Morlix and Stephen Burton. The sound achieved can be best described as Americana with a touch of Blues and Roots Rock for good measure. The bands strength lies in the sharing of the songwriting, singing & guitar playing of the three main members, all of whom take turns from song to song. This keeps the sound fresh, varied and interesting. 2008 is sure to bring more accolades.
The album is released on the bands own label BOH Records. There is no local Australian distribution as yet but the album is available on itunes and via the link below from Amazon.
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.
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.
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.
Power of County - See You in Rock & Roll Heaven Label - Union Records
This month we feature Power Of County's latest album "See you in Rock & Roll Heaven". Our own Mr Doo-Wop, Peter Merritt, who also doubles as Music Manager at PBS was more than impressed with the album. So much so that he provided the band with a quote to use on their website. Here it is again:
"This is an exceptional in ya face take no prisoners Country album full of the licks and kicks that most contemporary Country music lacks. It is absolutely ornery with tobacco spitting arrangements with great tempo changes that call out for the listener to keep up. How could you not like this album, it calls out for a party, so pass the bottle of whiskey and lets dance! You have won us over with this cd, yes definitely impressed us all." Peter Merritt, PBS Australia.
This is Power of County's (P.O.C.) third album. The band members are Matthew Stark: Vocals, Guitar & Banjo. D Rives Curtright: Vocals & Guitar. Mike D: Bass. Andy Bacon: Drums. Dan Baldwin: Percussion. Erik Clampitt: Pedal Steel & Harmonica. Sean Buck: Mandolin & Fiddle. The band come from Portland Oregon & started in 2002 when Cutwright & Stark took off for an extended tour of the US West Coast. Growing to the full band not long after they released Dream Destroyer in 2006 and followed this with Dirt Western in 2007.
"Cowpunk as a movement married a punk sensibility with a love and knowledge of classic country and good ole rock ‘n’ roll"
This quote perfectly describes P.O.C sound as they continue the good work stared by the like of Jason & the Scorchers et al. I will be playing three tracks per show throughtout August.
The show this week featured some new music from a new project from M Ward called "She and Him", a song from Chuck Prophet's tribute to Waylon Jennings called "Dreaming Waylon's Dreams" and a couple of tracks from the fantastic new album by Justin Townes Earle called "The Good Life"
Local music came from new albums by Clinkerfield, Silver City Highway & Kasey Chambers with her husband Shane Nicholson from their forthcoming album "Rattlin Bones".
Justin is Steve Earle's son. If that wasn't enough to raise expectations Justin has the added burden of carrying the name of one his Dad's heroes Townes Van Zandt. His debut album, out on Bloodshot Records is called "The Good Life". At 25 Earle has already packed alot into his short life. A veteran of a few bluegrass combos he also playing in his fathers touring band until Earle senior kicked him out due to various bad "habits".
Justin has since cleaned up his act to release this great album.
The Good Life is produced by RS Field (Billy Joe Shaver, Sonny Landreth) and Steve Poulton. The album was recorded (with the exception of “Ain’t Glad I’m Leaving”) at House of David studios, the legendary room that has hosted sessions with George Jones, Elvis Presley, Neil Young and countless others. Joining Earle in the studio are a cast of all-star players including longtime cohort Cory Younts (Bobby Bare, Jr) on banjo and mandolin, pedal steel player master Pete Finney (Dixie Chicks, Patty Loveless), bassist Bryn Davies (Patty Griffin, Guy Clark), drummer Bryan Owings (Buddy Miller, Shelby Lynne), keyboardist Skylar Wilson and fiddle player Josh Hedley. - Bloodshot Records
She and Him - Volume One
She and Him are Zooey Deschanel & M Ward. M Ward I know of course but if you heard the show you would know that I had no idea who Zooey was. I admit it OK. After a bit of research I know who she is now - an actor as well as a singer. She was on Weeds - one of my favourite shows amongst other things.
The She & Him story begins when in 2006 , renowned one man band M. Ward, recorded a duet with a girl named Zooey Deschanel. A delightful recording session, the experience lead to a dialogue between the two about collaborating further. This, in turn, led to Deschanel admitting to secretly making dozens and dozens of home demos and hoarding them like acorns for the winter. Sick and tired of being stingy and secretive about music, Deschanel realized that if songs were acorns then this was indeed her wintertime: she sent the recordings to Ward and these demos became the basis for their first record, entitled Volume One.
Ward’s unique arrangements and virtuostic guitar playing paired with Deschanel’s affinity for vocal harmony give Volume One its characteristic sound . Ward and Deschanel share a mutual affection for the songs they grew up hearing on Los Angeles radio stations - and keep in their hearts the records that most DJ’s aren’t playing anymore: Les Paul and Mary Ford, The Ronettes, Nina Simone, Chet Atkins, Linda Ronstadt, the Carter Family and about a hundred others. Aiming to achieve the warmth and charm of pop and country records from the early and mid part of the twentieth century, Ward, who also produced the record, and Deschanel, who wrote most of the music, called upon the help of a number of extraordinary musicians including: Rachel Blumberg, Adam Selzer, Mike Coykendall, Tom Hagerman, Peter Broderick, Mike Mogis, and Paul Brainerd. Without whom this record would just be two people with no drums, bass, strings or pedal steel. - Spunk Records
See. She was in Weeds!
Chuck Prophet - Dreaming Waylon's Dreams
Chuck Prophet was a member of Green on Red. He has issued a very rare tribute to Waylon Jennings "Dreaming my Dreams" called "Dreaming Waylon's Dreams". It is a track by track tribute featuring Max Butler, Stephanie Finch, John Murry, JJ Wiesler, Mark Pistel and others.. Only 1000 copies have been made. Some may be available to order here otherwise you can download it from emusic
Local music this week came from Kasey Chambers & husband Shane Nicholson. Also we heard a couple of tracks from the new albums by Clinkerfield & Silver City Highway.
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson release their first collaboration together later this month. It's called "Rattlin Bones". Here is the video.
Clinkerfield launched their album "A Head Full Of Rain & A Heart Full Of Puddles" last week at the Corner in Melbourne with the Idle Hoes. The album is out through Green Media/MGM Distribution on their own Waste Management label.
Silver City Highway are launching their new album on April 26th at the Tote. The album's called "Everything Is Breaking” through Green Media/MGM Distribution. Playing with them at the launch will be Abbie Cardwell and band, The Ukeladies, Van and Cal Walker, and The Family Hour (featuring Henry Wagons).
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