The Wainwright Sisters release debut album
The Wainwright Sisters will be releasing their anticipated new album Songs In The Dark on 13 November. Although they’re sisters, Martha Wainwright and Lucy Wainwright Roche didn’t grow up together. Aside from genetics, their true bond was a musical one, both growing up in families steeped in songwriting. Both their mothers would sing them lullabies (Kate McGarrigle to Martha and Suzzy Roche to Lucy) – now, to honour that 30 years...
Live: walking the walk
By ANDREW DIXON “Entrepreneurial” isn’t a word you commonly associate with multi-platinum rock stars. Nor would you expect them to admit that, sometimes, building communities and creating jobs in the real world can be “much larger than band stuff.” Live’s new (ish – he reminded me it’s been almost four years since he signed up) frontman Chris Shinn has the presence of mind to acknowledge the way the world works outside the...
Hip to be country
By LACHLAN BRYAN As we emerge from the depths of winter, we fans of country-ish music will be pleased to find festival-season upon us. Just like the artists themselves, we’ll have to hop in our cars and jump a few planes to take in all the action, but there’s plenty going on – particularly in late September and early October. For over twenty years now, the north-western Victorian town of Mildura has played host to one of the most epic...
Bobby Valentine thirty years of getting paid for it
By LACHLAN BRYAN There are few Australian performers who deserve the title of ‘genuine entertainer’ as much as Bobby Valentine. The larger-than-life Valentine is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, band-leader and raconteur who has been, as the title of his new show notes, ‘getting paid for it’ for thirty years. Anyone that has witnessed Bobby’s talents first hand will tell you that he most certainly earns his money! His huge, soulful...
Steve Poltz is meant for us
By LACHLAN BRYAN Steve Poltz has flown under the radar for many years now – but never too far under. The Canadian singer-songwriter has had a long and successful career in the music business, punctuated by constant touring and the release of ten well-received solo albums. In 1996, Poltz had a brush with mainstream fame when he collaborated with Jewel on her worldwide hit You Were Meant for Me (he even starred in the video which many...