A Celtic Christmas feat. Claymore, Colin Lillie, Saoirse, Hawthorn City Pipe Band, Glenbrae Celtic Dancers
Saturday 22nd December – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Gigs Next Week
A Celtic Christmas feat. Claymore, Colin Lillie, Saoirse, Hawthorn City Pipe Band, Glenbrae Celtic Dancers Saturday 22nd December – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Adam Young and Sam Shinazzi Sunday 23rd December – The Midnight Special, Sydney, NSW
Alex the Astronaut Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Alice Skye Friday 28th to Monday 31st December – Falls Festival, Lorne, VIC
Andrew Swift, Gretta Ziller & Brad Cox Thursday 27th December – Anglesea Family Caravan Park, Anglesea, VIC
Friday 28th December – Ocean Grove Holiday Park, Ocean Grove, VIC
Angus & Julia Stone Friday 21st December – Riverstage, Brisbane, QLD
Ben Leece Friday 21st December – Transit Bar, Canberra, ACT
Dan Sultan Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Darren Hanlon Friday 21st December – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 22nd December – Church in the Graveyard, Sydney, NSW
Sunday 23rd December – Princess Theatre, Brisbane, QLD
Dean Lewis Friday 21st December – The Metro, Sydney, NSW
Sunday 23rd December – The Metro, Sydney, NSW
Friday 28th December – The Triffid, Brisbane, QLD
Dermot Kennedy w/ Sam Fender Friday 28th to Monday 31st December – Falls Festival, Lorne, VIC
Emily Wurramara Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Falls Festival Friday 28th to Monday 31st December – Lorne, VIC
Festival of Small Halls feat. Old Man Luedecke, Lucy Wise Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
First Aid Kit Friday 28th to Monday 31st December – Falls Festival, Lorne, VIC
Hat Fitz and Cara Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Hussy Hicks Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Irish Mythen Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
James Thomson Sunday 23rd December – Flow Bar, Old Bar, NSW
Jen Cloher Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Jess Locke Friday 21st December – The Gasometer Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 22nd December – Reverence Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Julia Jacklin Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Kallidad Friday 21st December – Soundlounge, Gold Coast, QLD
Saturday 22nd December – Diggers Tavern, Bellingen, NSW
Karl S Williams Sunday 23rd December – The Triffid, Brisbane, QLD
Les Poules a Colin Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Liam Gerner Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Lucy Wise Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Magpie Diaries Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Mal Webb & Kylie Morrigan Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Mark Wilkinson Friday 21st December – Leichhardt Town Hall, Sydney, NSW
Saturday 22nd December – Leichhardt Town Hall, Sydney, NSW
Matt Joe Gow Friday 21st December – The Gem Bar, Melbourne, VIC
Mel Parsons Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Mic Conway’s National Junk Band Friday 21st December – Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney, NSW
Mick Thomas and The Roving Commission w/ Ayleen O’Hanlon Saturday 22nd December – The Spotted Mallard, Melbourne, VIC
Sunday 23rd December – The Caravan Club, Oakleigh, VIC
Monday 24th December – The Caravan Club, Oakleigh, VIC
Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Mojo Juju Friday 21st December – Riverstage, Brisbane, QLD
Monique Clare Friday 21st December – Flow Bar, Old Bar, NSW
Nariel Creek Folk Festival Thursday 27th December to Thursday 3rdt January – Nariel Creek Recreation Reserve, Nariel Valley, VIC
Neil Murray Friday 28th December – The Sewing Room, Perth, WA
Old Man Luedecke Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Paddy McHugh Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Paul Kelly – Making Gravy feat. Angus & Julia Stone, Alex Lahey, Mojo Juju Friday 21st December – Riverstage, Brisbane, QLD
Richard Lawson Wednesday 26th December – Bermagui Beach Hotel, Bermagui, NSW
Round Mountain Girls Saturday 22nd December – Cabarita Sports Club, Cabarita Beach, QLD
Sea Shanty Session Wednesday 26th December – The Brothers, Melbourne, VIC
Southern Gentlemen Sunday 23rd December – Gasoline Pony, Sydney, NSW
Sparrow-Folk Friday 21st December – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra, ACT
Stella Donnelly Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Stiff Gins Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
The Andy Golledge Band Saturday 22nd December – Marrickville Bowling Club, Sydney, NSW
The Black Sorrows Saturday 22nd December – Caravan Music Club, Bentleigh East, VIC
Friday 28th December – Bird’s Basement, Melbourne, VIC
The Bushwackers Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
The Cat Empire Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
The Little Stevies Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
The Maes Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
The Montgomery Brothers Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
The Northern Folk Thursday 27 December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford, QLD
The Spooky Men’s Chorale Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
The Teskey Brothers Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
The Waifs Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
The Water Runners Friday 21st December – Servo Food Truck Bar, Port Kembla, NSW
Friday 28th December – The Sebel Harbourside, Kiama, NSW
Timberwolf Friday 21st December – Fat Controller, Adelaide, SA
Top End Folk Club Sunday Sessions Sunday 23rd December – Darwin Railway Club, Darwin, NT
Vance Joy Friday 28th to Monday 31st December – Falls Festival, Lorne, VIC
Whiskey Dram Saturday 22nd December – Bombay Rock, Melbourne, VIC
Woodford Folk Festival Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford, QLD
Xavier Rudd Thursday 27th December to Tuesday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, QLD
Friday Folk Flashback
“Fairytale of New York” – Jeff Tweedy, Punch Brothers, Sarah Jarosz, The Staves
As is tradition the Timber and Steel Editor-in-Chief Gareth Hugh Evans brings you his top 25 tracks of the year. As always he’s tried to only pick one song per artist with the occasional album track trumping the singles from the same release. We think you’ll agree it’s been an amazing year for folk, roots, acoustic and singer-songwriter based music
But enough of our jabbering – it’s time to get to the music. Without further ado we present Gareth Hugh Evans’ Top 25 Tracks of 2017.
Despite a quiet year on the blogging front from Timber and Steel 2018 was still a huge year for folk, roots, singer-songwriter and acoustic music with some amazing albums and EPs dropping throughout the year.
So we couldn’t resist continuing the tradition and once again bring you our top albums of the year.
1. Emma Davis – Demons
When we picked her single “Danger in Me” as our top track of 2017, it was almost a forgone conclusion that Emma Davis’ 2018 follow up album Demons would rank highly in this list.
Davis is one of the most talented lyricists in Australia right now and Demons is testament to her talents.
The singles that Emma Davis has drip fed us throughout the last few years have always had stunning production values and this album ties those earlier songs together seamlessly with her newer material to create 38 minutes of pitch-perfect folk-pop.
Go out and listen to Demons from start to finish right now.
2. Laura Veirs – The Lookout Laura Veirs takes a huge leap forward as a singer and a songwriter with an album that’s more complex than her earlier work without losing sight of everything we’ve always loved about her music.
4. I’m With Her – See You Around
Three of the best Americana singer-songwriters coming together for a collaborative album that manages to feel totally modern while still having its roots firmly in folk.
5. Courtney Marie Andrews – May Your Kindness Remain Courtney Marie Andrews is easily the most buzz-worthy Americana artist coming out of the US at the moment and if you listen to May Your Kindness Remain you’ll understand why.
6. John Flanagan Trio – Honest Man
The evolution of John Flanagan continues with his trio (plus more) coming together for an album that leads with its lyrics and then knocks you over with the sheer mastery of the musicianship.
7. Passenger – Runaway
If there’s a year that Passenger releases an album then you can guarantee that’s a year he appears on this list – one of our favourite songwriters.
8. Gregory Alan Isakov – Evening Machines
The long awaited new album from Gregory Alan Isakov lives up to the expectations. Seriously can’t wait to see him when he hits these shores next year.
9. Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit – Live At The Roundhouse
While live albums are not usually our cup of tea, Johnny Flynn has delivered something very special here – a career retrospective with all the “hits”, masterfully arranged with The Sussex Wit. Plus we finally have a recording of all three verses of “Detectorists”
10. Iron & Wine – Weed Garden
A beautiful EP featuring everything you want from Iron & Wine. This one was on repeat for much of this year.
11. The Low Anthem – The Salt Doll Went To Measure The Depth Of The Sea
We feel like we’ve been waiting for a new album from The Low Anthem for far too long and when The Salt Doll Went To Measure The Depth Of The Sea we were delighted with the result. A stunning, stripped back piece of nu-folk
12. Old Crow Medicine Show – Volunteer OCMS have doubled down on their old time and bluegrass roots with Volunteer which may be one of their best albums to date.
13. Imogen Clark – Collide
With CollideImogen Clark has really started to embrace her country, pop and Americana roots without losing her confessional singer-songwriter style.
14. First Aid Kit – Ruins
The Swedish sisters have done it again with an album that wears its influences like a badge of honor.
15. Sam Newton – Stare Into The Dark
Sydney’s hardest working singer-songwriter has really delivered with his latest album, leaning in on the full band sound and giving us 11 amazing songs to play over and over again.
16. The Milk Carton Kids – All The Things That I Did and All The Things That I Didn’t Do
The masters of the two part harmony release another gem of an album with All The Things That I Did and All The Things That I Didn’t Do.
17. William Fitzsimmons – Mission Bell
Our love for William Fitzsimmons continues to grow with his latest release. Less stripped back than his previous albums, Mission Bell still captures his wistful, ethereal folk sounds.
18. The Paper Kites – On The Corner Where You Live
The 80s influences have once again be ramped up on The Paper Kites 2018 album On The Corner Where You Live, but their folk roots are still there to be uncovered.
19. Marlon Williams – Make Way For Love
A big part of me hopes that half the people who saw Marlon Williams’ cameo in A Star Is Born went out and bought Make Way For Love and fell in love with the New Zealand crooner. This man deserves to be a superstar.
20. Whoa Mule – Get You House In Order
Possibly our favourite bluegrass and old time group in Australia right now. Their musicianship is outstanding and sets the bar very high for the rest of us.
21. Mustered Courage – We Played With Fire
The boys make a huge splash on their latest album with some tight bluegrass inspired tunes including a killer collaboration with Fanny Lumsden on “Best Impressions”.
22. Lúnasa – Cas
There’s a reason that Lúnasa are considered the premiere trad band in the world right now – Cas is a truly a masterpiece.
23. Kasey Chambers – Campfire
With each album Kasey Chambers is leaning more heavily on the roots and Americana parts of her sound and we love it.
24. Various – Take Me To Town: An Australian Alternative Country Compilation Take Me To Town: An Australian Alternative Country Compilation captures an important point in the Australian Americana and alt-country story, showcasing the quality songwriters and artists who make up the local scene. A must have for anyone who considers themselves a fan of Australian country music.
25. Tim Hart – The Narrow Corner
The long awaited new solo album from Boy & Bear alumni Tim Hart is another lesson in heart-on-sleeve lyrics and understated folk song writing.
– We reached out to the Timber and Steel community to get them to pick their top albums of the year. The results are wonderful with well over 100 artists contributing. Details here
Gretta Ziller and Andrew Swift kick off their summer holiday tour of caravan parks around the nation. Will they stumble across your holiday park?
Wednesday 27th December – Discovery Parks Lake Hume, Ebden, VIC
Thursday 28th December – Porepunkah Bridge Holiday Park, Porepunkah, VIC
Friday 29th December – Omeo Caravan Park, Omeo, VIC
Gigs Next Week
A Celtic Christmas feat. Damien Leith, Claymore Saturday 23rd December – The Palms at Crown, Melbourne, VIC
A Country Christmas Revue feat. Raised By Eagles, Lost Ragas, The Ahern Brothers, Sarah Carroll Friday 22nd December – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine, VIC
A Very Country Christmas feat. James Ellis, Cold Heart, Roz Girvan, Bakersfield Glee Club Saturday 23rd December – The Spotted Mallard, Melbourne, VIC
A Xmas Happening Love In! feat. Zoùkeys, Hippy Trippy Trio, Jewels’ Blues Explosion Friday 22nd December – The Bank, Melbourne, VIC
Alex The Astronaut Thursday 28th to Sunday 31st December – Lost Paradise, Glenworth Valley, NSW
Andrew Swift Saturday 23rd December – King Island Club, Currie, TAS
Wednesday 27th December – Discovery Parks Lake Hume, Ebden, VIC
Thursday 28th December – Porepunkah Bridge Holiday Park, Porepunkah, VIC
Friday 29th December – Omeo Caravan Park, Omeo, VIC
Andy Baylor Friday 22nd December – Gasoline Pony, Sydney, NSW
Benjamin Roberts w/ Daniel J. Townsend Thursday 27th December – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide, SA
Breaking Trad Wednesday 27th December to Monday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford, QLD
Cat Canteri and Justin Bernasconi Saturday 23rd December – The Bridge, Castlemaine, VIC
Craig Woodward Sunday 24th December – Loretta’s, Melbourne, VIC
Dane Blacklock, Velvajayne Saturday 23rd December – LazyBones Lounge, Sydney, NSW
Darren Hanlon Friday 22nd December –
Northcote Social Club, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 23rd December – The Old Museum
, Brisbane, QLD
Edgelarks Wednesday 27th December to Monday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford, QLD
Eleanor McEvoy Friday 29th December to Monday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford, QLD
Falls Festival Thursday 28th to Sunday 31st December – Lorne, VIC
Friday 29th to Sunday 31st December – Marion Bay, TAS
Fleet Foxes Thursday 28th to Sunday 31st December – Falls Festival, Lorne, VIC
Friday 29th to Sunday 31st December – Falls Festival, Marion Bay, TAS
Get Folked Punk Xmas Blowout feat. Vetty Vials & The Sandpit Turtles, Whispering Jackie, Jonno Read, Billy Demos, Billy Puntton, Uke-paley, Jethro Morris, Ess-em, Sooze Friday 22nd December – LazyBones Lounge, Sydney, NSW
Good Option Friday 22nd December – Some Velvet Morning, Melbourne, VIC
Gretta Ziller and Andrew Swift Wednesday 27th December – Discovery Parks Lake Hume, Ebden, VIC
Thursday 28th December – Porepunkah Bridge Holiday Park, Porepunkah, VIC
Friday 29th December – Omeo Caravan Park, Omeo, VIC
Handsome Young Strangers, Steph Miller and Jim Mongrel’s Anti-Christmas Bash Saturday 23rd December – MoshPit, Sydney, NSW
Helen Townsend Friday 22nd December – Amble Inn, Corindi, NSW
Saturday 23rd December – The Naked Bean, South Grafton, NSW
Honey Monday 25th December – Parklands Resort, Mudgee, NSW
James Bennett Friday 22nd December – Avoca Beach Hotel & Resort, Avoca Beach, NSW
Saturday 23rd December – The Lounge Room, Port Macquarie, NSW
Sunday 24th December – Town Green Inn Port Macquarie, Port Macquarie, NSW
Friday 29th December – Sacred Tree Markets, Nelson Bay, NSW
Jess Locke Saturday 23rd December – Reverence Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
John Butler Wednesday 27th December to Monday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford, QLD
Julia Jacklin Thursday 28th to Sunday 31st December – Falls Festival, Lorne, VIC
Friday 29th to Sunday 31st December – Falls Festival, Marion Bay, TAS
Justin Bernasconi Friday 22nd December – The Guildford Family Hotel, Guildford, VIC
Saturday 23rd December – The Bridge, Castlemaine, VIC
Kallidad Thursday 28th to Sunday 31st December – Falls Festival, Lorne, VIC
Lost Paradise Thursday 28th to Sunday 31st December – Glenworth Valley, NSW
Mick Thomas & The Roving Commission Friday 22nd December – Spotted Mallard, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 23rd December – Caravan Club, Melbourne, VIC
Sunday 24th December – Caravan Club, Melbourne, VIC
Microwave Jenny Sunday 24th December – Bombini, Avoca Beach, NSW
Molsky’s Mountain Drifters Wednesday 27th December to Monday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford, QLD
One Hot Night feat. Busby Marou, Amy Shark, Timberwolf, Pandamic Friday 29th December – Rockhampton Showgrounds, Rockhampton, QLD
Pam Hata Sunday 24th December – The Duck on Clarence, Port Macquarie, NSW
Thursday 28th December – Oasis by the River, North Haven, NSW
Pierce Brothers Friday 29th December – Lorne Hotel, Lorne, VIC
Rita B Saturday 23rd December – Gasoline Pony, Sydney, NSW
Sleepy Dreamers, Arbes, Sean Watson Friday 22nd December – The Workers Club, Melbourne, VIC
That Red Head Saturday 23rd December – Wayward Brewing Company, Sydney, NSW
Friday 29th December – LazyBones Lounge, Sydney, NSW
The Beautiful Girls Thursday 28th December – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford, QLD
The Bluegrass Playgirls with GlenyRae & JennyShimmin, Robbie Long & Smithy Saturday 23rd December – Gasoline Pony, Sydney, NSW
The Demon Drink Wednesday 27th December to Monday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford, QLD
The Drunken Poachers Saturday 23rd December – Labour in Vain, Melbourne, VIC
The East Pointers Wednesday 27th December to Monday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford, QLD
The Heggarties and Matt J Ward Friday 22nd December – Exeter Hotel, Adelaide, SA
The Railsplitters Friday 29th December to Monday 1st January – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford, QLD
The Teskey Brothers Friday 29th to Sunday 31st December – Falls Festival, Marion Bay, TAS
This Way North Saturday 23rd December – Aireys Pub, Aireys Inlet, VIC
Friday 29th December – Tanswells Hotel, Beechworth, VIC
Woodford Folk Festival Wednesday 27th December to Monday 1st January – Woodford, QLDFriday Folk Flashback
The final of our traditional end of year lists sees Timber and Steel Editor-in-Chief Gareth Hugh Evans sifts through all of the amazing music that was produced this year and pick his top 25 tracks. As always he’s tried to only pick one track per artist, although as you’ll see there’s some exceptions with different artists collaborating on different projects through 2017.
But enough of our jabbering – it’s time to get to the music. Without further ado we present Gareth Hugh Evans’ Top 25 Tracks of 2017.
1. Emma Davis – “Danger in Me” Emma Davis just has a way of writing a song which draws you in and never lets go. With just a finger picked guitar, understated rhythm section, muted organ and reverbed vocals, Davis has created a piece of music that I genuinely put on repeat. The fact that there’s a very relevant social message underpinning “Danger in Me” just adds a depth to my appreciation of it. Thank you Emma Davis for producing one of the most beautiful three and a half minutes of 2017.
2. The East Pointers – “82 Fires”
For a band I almost exclusively associated with fiddle tunes, The East Pointers have delivered one of the best songs of the year with “82 Fires”. Co-written with our very own Liz Stringer about fires in Tasmania, “82 Fires” may be the most Australian song written by a trio of Canadians. There’s an epic feel to the song that shouldn’t be possible from three guys playing (mostly) acoustic instruments – but I’ve seen this song live and they get pretty close to reproducing the recording on stage. Try to listen to “82 Fires” on not have it stir something inside.
3. Willie Watson – “Gallows Pole”
No one interprets traditional American music quite like Willie Watson. Here he’s managed to take the Leadbelly classic “Gallows Pole” and turn it into a thoroughly modern, haunting piece of music which is a definite standout on his latest album, Folksinger Vol. 2.
4. The Morrisons feat. Georgia Mooney – “Long Time Travelling”
It seems odd to choose an a cappella song from a band that features some of the best bluegrass musicians in the country. But I just can’t get passed how delightful it is hear James Morrison singing over the combined voices of The Morrisons plus Georgia Mooney (All Our Exes Live In Texas). The harmonies, the dynamic variations, the passion – “Long Time Travelling” is pure joy.
5. Offa Rex – “Sheepcrook and Black Dog”
As you probably know by now we have A LOT of love for the 2017 Offa Rex album The Queen of Hearts. The collaboration between The Decemberists and Olivia Chaney is full of highlights and to be honest songs like “The Old Churchyard”, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Willie o’ Winsbury” are more likely to hit this year’s best of lists. But for me “Sheepcrook and Black Dog” captures the nostalgia of the late-60s/early-70s British folk revival better than any other track on The Queen of Hearts with its Steeleye Span style arrangement, crunchy Black Sabbath style guitars and Sandy Denny style vocal performance. “Sheepcrook and Black Dog” is vintage folk-rock for the modern era.
6. Laura Marling – “Next Time” Laura Marling goes full Nick Drake on “Next Time”. The orchestral arrangement over the top of Marling’s inventive guitar tunings and finger-picking, along with her hushed but powerful vocal performance is so reminiscent of the late English singer-songwriter it can’t not have been inspired by his work. This is definitely the highlight of Semper Femina for me and it even comes with a video directed by Laura Marling herself.
7. The Young’uns – “Be the Man”
“Be The Man” was inspired by the story of Matthew Ogston, founder of the Naz and Matt Foundation which tackles religious and cultural homophobia, following the tragic death of his fiancé (you can read the full story here). The Young’uns have written a song which is not only powerful in its message, and deeply respectful to its subject matter, but also a wonderful compliment to the rest of their harmony-driven catalogue. Check out the video featuring Matthew Ogston himself.
8. Billy Bragg – “Why We Build the Wall”
When Anaïs Mitchell wrote “Why We Build the Wall” for her 2010 folk-opera Hadestown I doubt she knew how precient it was considering the build-the-wall platform Donald Trump ran on during his 2016 presidential campaign. Billy Bragg has been singing “Why We Build the Wall” for a few years now but it’s taken until this year for him to officially release it as a single. The political singer-songwriter has purposefully politicised the track and filled it with a jarring, electric guitar to great effect. Could this be the folk anthem for the Trump era?
9. David Rawlings – “Cumberland Gap”
The genius of David Rawlings and Gillian Welch is their ability to write songs that sound like they’ve existed forever and then produce those songs in such a way that makes it sound like they’re being “modernised”. “Cumberland Gap” is the perfect example of this – the track sounds so timeless yet so fresh at exactly the same time. That’s probably why it’s been getting so many comparisons to Neil Young.
10. Stu Larsen – “Chicago Song”
“Chicago Song” is exactly the kind of song you want from a singer-songwriter like Stu Larsen. Simple, catchy and foot-tappingly joyful, “Chicago Song” captures a little piece of magic.
12. Charlie Fink – “Firecracker”
I’m sure I’ve printed this elsewhere on Timber and Steel but for the reader’s benefit: Noah and The Whale’s 2009 album The First Days of Spring is one of my favourite albums of all time. So when ex-Noah and The Whale lead singer Charlie Fink releases a single like “Firecracker” that sounds like it’s been ripped directly from The First Days of Spring there’s no way this song wasn’t going to make my best of 2017 list.
13. All Our Exes Live in Texas – “Boundary Road”
“What if I want to be the one to fall apart once in a while?” has somehow become one of my favourite chorus lines of 2017. All Our Exes Live in Texas have taken on the lyrical challenge of the line, as well as the fight songwriter Katie Wighton had with her mum that inspired the line, and crafted one of the best songs from one of the best albums of the year. There is All Our Exes Live in Texas magic all over this song – with a simple “ooh” and “ahh” the quartet can elevate every song they touch. Lovely stuff.
14. Nick Mulvey – “Mountain To Move”
I’m going to make a prediction: “Mountain To Move” is the song most likely to appear on the soundtrack of sweet and quirky rom coms over the 12 months. Nick Mulvey continues to impress me with the way he crafts a song over a repeating melody line or guitar rhythm, building the simplicity into something more.
15. Julia Johnson – “Melissa”
I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the new direction that Julia Johnson has taken with her songwriting in 2017. Moving beyond her work with Julia and The Deep Sea Sirens and working with producer Sarah Belkner, Johnson is producing some of the most interesting music of her career. I have a feeling “Melissa” is only the tip of the iceberg for what’s coming next from Julia Johnson and I can’t wait.
16. The Northern Folk – “Get On”
Despite the wealth of shows they’ve done this year I only managed to catch Melbourne folk 10 piece The Northern Folk live for the first time really recently. They manage to combine the indie folk sound of bands like The Middle East with the distinct groove that comes with having a saxophone heavy horn section. “Get On” epitomises The Northern Folk’s unique sound for me and was one of those songs that made me hit the repeat button again and again the first time I heard it.
17. Fanny Lumsden – “Roll On”
Want to know what it’s like to be an Australian artist on an endless tour of our country? Listen to the lyrics of “Roll On”. What I love about this track is its authenticity. This isn’t the Americanised version of the Australian outback full of dust kicking cowboys and pickup trucks. And this isn’t the romanticised nostalgic version of Australia either with its drovers and men-of-the-land. Instead “Roll On” is a song about about what its like to hit the road in 2017 complete with speeding fines, Gaytimes, roadtrains and small town bowlos. Keep writing songs like this Fanny Lumsden.
18. Paul Kelly – “Firewood and Candles”
After a few years of genre and experimental albums Paul Kelly announced his return to the classic Paul Kelly with the killer track “Firewood and Candles”. That rocking riff with Kelly’s vocals (ably supported by Vikka and Linda Bull) is just so damn catchy. If you wonder why everyone’s making such a fuss over Paul Kelly at the moment, why he’s winning awards and being praised at every turn, just listen to the songs on his 2017 album Life Is Fine, starting with “Firewood and Candles”.
19. Gretta Ziller – “Slaughterhouse Blues”
If someone asks you for the best voice in Australian Americana music then just show them Gretta Ziller. There may be some artists earlier in this list who you could squeeze into the genre, but as far as pure Americana music goes you can’t get much better than Ziller’s “Slaughterhouse Blues”. This is a modern track with its feet firmly in roots music. And that production! Perfection! More of this please Gretta Ziller.
20. I’m With Her – “Little Lies”
Before the release of “Little Lies” the American super-goup I’m With Her were really known for interpreting traditional music or covers of contemporary songs. But then this track comes along and solidifies the (probabaly assumed) fact that I’m With Her are a band to watch. Aoife O’Donovan has one of the best voices in Americana music, and it’s all the sweeter combined with the voices of Sara Watkins and Sarah Jarosz. And Watkins’ fiddle playing on this track is some of my favourite instrumental work in 2017.
21. BATTS – “Little White Lies”
I’ve been a fan of Tanya Batt’s music for some time, but it’s been her transformation into BATTS and the lo-fi, shoe-gaze, lyric driven songwriting that has come with it that has really caught my attention in 2017. “Little White Lies” is the second single released under the BATTS moniker and it’s by far my favourite, with its etherial production and confessional lyrics. I have a feeling we’re going to be hearing a lot more from BATTS in the coming months and I can’t wait.
22. Taryn La Fauci – “Winter”
When her EP Cycling came out I messaged Taryn La Fauci and told her “Just wanted to tell you that I’m in love with your track “Winter”.” Above every other song on the EP “Winter” struck me, most likely because this year I lost my cat as well and the lyrics just resonated. This song was on repeat for a lot of this year – thank you for sharing it with me Taryn La Fauci.
23. Diamond Duck – “Marry Me By The Sea”
Another collaboration (this time between The Morrisons’ Jimmy Daley and Canadian-Australian singer-songwriter Brian Campeau) that evokes the close harmony singing of The Everly Brothers and Simon and Garfunkel, Diamond Duck have made quite an impression with their first single “Marry Me By The Sea”. What makes this stand out for me is the way the Diamond Duck boys explore unusual, almost twisted chords in their accompaniment while maintaining a sweetness in their vocal delivery. Listen to the piano “solo” in the middle of the song and you’ll see what I mean – there’s something a little off kilter in the track and it’s absolutely delicious.
24. Stella Donnelly – “Boys Will Be Boys”
In the wake of the #metoo movement and everything that’s been coming out in the media over the last few months I think Australia needed a song like “Boys Will Be Boys”. Stella Donnelly has made quite a splash this year and with her amazing voice and lyrical chops I can imagine there’s big things on the horizon for the singer-songwriter.
25. Johnny Flynn – “Wandering Aengus”
The return of Johnny Flynn to music this year was heralded by this really quirky track and promised much from his new album Sillion. All the elements of what makes a classic Johnny Flynn song are here – his amazing voice, jangly guitar and subtle horn accompaniment – but there’s also something a little twisted about the structure of this track that I really really like. Definitely up there with my favourite Johnny Flynn songs.
Friday 29th September to Monday 2nd October – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra, QLD
Sunday 1st October – Forum Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Monday 2nd October – Australian Americana Honours Night, Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Tuesday 3rd October – Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Gigs Next Week
Áine Tyrrell Saturday 30th September – Newstead Roots Festival, Brisbane, QLD
Tuesday 3rd October – The Ainslie Arts Centre, Canberra, ACT
AJJ Friday 29th September – The Lair, Sydney, NSW
Saturday 30th September – Transit Bar, Canberra, ACT
Sunday 1st October – Yours & Owls Festival, Wollongong, NSW
Wednesday 4th October – Ed Castle, Adelaide, SA
Thursday 5th October – Club 54, Launceston, TAS
Friday 6th October – The Brisbane Hotel, Hobart, TAS
Alex The Astronaut Sunday 1st October – Wildwood Festival, Port Macquarie, NSW
Americana Music Association of Australia Showcase Sunday 1st October – Semaphore Hotel, Adelaide, SA
Angus & Julia Stone w/ Ruel Friday 29th September – Perth Concert Hall, Perth, WA
Anna Smyrk Friday 29th September to Sunday 1st October – Uranquinty Folk Festival, Uranquinty, NSW
Australian Americana Honours Night feat. Old Crow Medicine Show, Valerie June, Kevin Welch, Busby Marou, Kasey Chambers, Shane Howard, Bernard Fanning, Catherine Britt, Henry Wagons, Emily Barker, Ruby Boots, Jordie Lane & The Sleepers Monday 2nd October – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
BATTS Tuesday 3rd October – The Gasometer Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Wednesday 4th October – The Toff In Town, Melbourne, VIC
Ben Ely Saturday 30th September – Powerhouse, Brisbane, QLD
Sunday 1st October – Dashville Skyline, Hunter Valley, NSW
Benny Walker Friday 6th October – Skylark Room, Upwey, VIC
Bernard Fanning Monday 2nd October – Australian Americana Honours Night, Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Friday 6th October – The Gov, Adelaide, SA
Bob Evans Friday 29th September – Nightfest Floriade Festival, Commonwealth Park, Canberra, ACT
Saturday 30th September – Nightfest Floriade Festival, Commonwealth Park, Canberra, ACT
Sunday 1st October – Nightfest Floriade Festival, Commonwealth Park, Canberra, ACT
Brad Butcher Friday 29th September – Red Lion Hotel, Rockhampton, QLD
Saturday 30th September – The Irish Village, Emerald, QLD
Caloundra Music Festival Friday 29th September to Monday 2nd October – Caloundra, QLD
Carus Thompson w/ Loren Friday 29th September – The Piping Hot Chicken and Burger Grill, Ocean Grove, VIC
Sunday 1st September – Westernport Hotel, San Remo, VIC
Cass Eager Thursday 5th October – The Federal Hotel, Bellingen, NSW
Friday 6th October – The Kingscliff Beach Hotel, Kingscliff, NSW
Dan Sultan Friday 29th September – Bar On The Hill, Newcastle, NSW
Saturday 30th September – Metro Theatre, Sydney, NSW
‘Dang Blues Festival feat. Ian Collard, Roy Payne, Illya Szwec and Pat Powell, Jukeboy Emmett, Tomcat Playground, Big Zydeco Express, 500 Pounds of Joy
Sunday 1st October – Club Windang, Windang, NSW
Dashville Skyline Friday 29th September to Sunday 1st October – Belford, NSW
Declan O’Rourke Friday 29th September to Sunday 1st October – Dashville Skyline, NSW
Sunday 1st October – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane, QLD
Tuesday 3rd October – Ainslie + Gorman Arts Centre, Canberra, ACT
Wednesday 4th October – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide, SA
Thursday 5th October – The Factory Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Deni Ute Muster Friday 29th and Saturday 30th September – Deniliquin, NSW
Dusk Songs feat. Layla Fibbins, Bill Jackson, Les Thomas Sunday 1st October – Tago Mago Club, Melbourne, VIC
Ella Belfanti Sunday 1st October – The Riverview Hotel, Sydney, NSW
Emily Barker Friday 29th to Saturday 30th Septmber – Rhythmicana Festival, Murwillumbah, NSW
Sunday 1st October – The Junk Bar, Brisbane
Monday 2nd October – Australian Americana Honours Night, Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Friday 6th October – The Warehouse, Bunbury, WA
Emma Russack Friday 29th September – Franks Wild Years, Thirroul, NSW
Saturday 30th September – Dashville Skyline, Belford, NSW
Sunday 1st October – The Tote, Melbourne, VIC
Fanny Lumsden Friday 29th September – Tullamore Memorial Hall, Tullamore, NSW
Saturday 30th September – Marra Community Hall, Marra, NSW
Friday 6th October – Rankin Springs Memorial Hall, Rankin Springs, NSW
FolkSwagon feat. Ethan Conway, Brendon Moon, Elizabeth Hughes Wednesday 4th October – Cafe Lounge, Sydney, NSW
Fossils Benefit Concert Friday 29th September – Concordia College Chapel, Adelaide, SA
Fox n Firkin Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th October – HOBOFOPO, Hobart, TAS
Frankston Guitar Festival Friday 6th to Sunday 8th October – Frankston, VIC
Great Aunt Friday 29th September – Rick’s Garage, Palmwoods, QLD
Gretta Ziller Tuesday 3rd October – Pistol Pete’s Food n Blues, Geelong, VIC
Handsome Young Strangers w/ Medusa’s Wake Thursday 5th October – Union Hotel, Sydney, NSW
Hannah Matysek Saturday 30th September – The Bearded Tit, Sydney, NSW
Sunday 1st October – Blacksheep, Sydney, NSW
Friday 6th October – Acre Eatery, Sydney, NSW
High Tea feat. Caiti Baker Thursday 5th October – Secret Show, Melbourne, VIC
HOBOFOPO Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th October – Hobart, TAS
Hush: An Evening Of Quiet Music feat. BATTS, Closet Straights, squidgenini, Elizabeth Miller Wednesday 4th October – The Toff In Town, Melbourne, VIC
Immigrant Union Friday 29th September – Union Hotel, Sydney, NSW
Jackson Mclaren Sunday 1st October – The Dart and Marlin, Warrnambool, VIC
Tuesday 3rd October – The Gasometer Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Jed Rowe Wednesday 4th October – Wooloweyah Hall, Wooloweyah, NSW
Thursday 5th October – 5 Church St, Bellingen, NSW
Friday 6th October – Wauchope Arts, Wauchope, NSW
Jen Mize and Mitch Power Friday 29th September to Sunday 1st September – Dashville Skyline, Belford, NSW
Jess Ribeiro w/ Ryan Downey, International Velvet Tuesday 3rd October – The Tote Front Bar, Melbourne, VIC
Jhana Allan Saturday 30th September – Franks Wild Years, Thirroul, NSW
Tuesday 3rd October – House Concert, Burwood, NSW
Thursday 5th October – The Temperance Society, Sydney, NSW
Joe Mungovan and Greta Stanley Thursday 5th October – Oxford Circus, Sydney, NSW
Jo Jo Smith w/ Lucie Thorne & Hamish Stuart Friday 6th October – Leagues Club, Griffith, NSW
Jordan Merrick Saturday 30th September – Newstead Roots Festival, The Triffid, Brisbane, QLD
Justin Bernasconi Friday 6th October – Selby Folk Club, Melbourne, VIC
Karl S Williams Saturday 30th September – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra, QLD
Sunday 1st October – Wildwood Music Festival, Port Macquarie, NSW
Friday 6th October – Music On The Hill, Red Hill, VIC
Kasey Chambers Friday 29th September – Club Maitland City, Maitland, NSW
Saturday 30th September – West New Lambton, Maryville, NSW
Monday 2nd October – Australian Americana Honours Night, Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Kelly Brouhaha Friday 29th September – Caloundra RSL, Caloundra, QLD
Sunday 1st October – The Milk Factory, Brisbane
Kevin Welch Monday 2nd October – Australian Americana Honours Night, Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Kim Churchill Friday 29th September – Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 30th September – Karova Lounge, Ballarat, VIC
Sunday 1st October – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave, VIC
Thursday 5th October – Fat Controller, Adelaide, SA
Friday 6th October – Waratah Hotel, Hobart, TAS
Kristina Olsen Friday 6th to Sunday 8th October – Nanga Music Festival, WA
Les Thomas Sunday 1st October – Tago Mago Club, Melbourne, VIC
Friday 6th October – Kingsbury Bowls, Melbourne, VIC
Madison Violet Friday 29th September – Stanthorpe Theatre, Stanthorpe, QLD
Tuesday 3rd October – The Bug, Brisbane, QLD
Wednesday 4th October – The Shed, Nanango, QLD
Friday 6th October – Geelong Workers Club, Geelong, VIC
Mark Olson Friday 29th September to Sunday 1st October – Dashville Skyline Festival, Belford, NSW
Mark Wilkinson Friday 29th September – House Concert, Perth, WA
Saturday 30th September – House Concert, Woodlands, WA
Sunday 1st October – House Concert, Burswood, WA
Thursday 5th October – House Concert, Lugarno, NSW
Friday 6th October – House Concert, Wyong Creek, NSW
Mildura Country Music Festival Friday 29th September to Sunday 8th October – Mildura, VIC
Mitch King Friday 29th September – Post Office Hotel, Tamworth, NSW
Saturday 30th September – 5 Church St, Bellingen, NSW
Sunday 1st October – Wildwood Festival, Port Macquarie, NSW
Friday 6th October – The Aztec, Forster, NSW
My Nightingale Friday 29th September – Soundlounge, Gold Coast, QLD
Nanga Music Festival Friday 6th to Sunday 8th October – Dwellingup, WA
Newstead Roots Festival Saturday 30th September – The Triffid, Brisbane, QLD
Obscura Hail w/ Slow Job, Time Robb Thursday 5th October – The Yarra Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Old Crow Medicine Show Friday 29th September to Monday 2nd October – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra, QLD
Sunday 1st October – Forum Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Monday 2nd October – Australian Americana Honours Night, Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Tuesday 3rd October – Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Paddy McHugh Saturday 30th September – Dashville Skyline, Belford, NSW
Sunday 1st October – Leadbelly, Sydney, NSW
Raised By Eagles Friday 29th September to Monday 2nd October – Semaphore Music Festival, Adelaide, SA
Ralway Bell Friday 6th October – Western Port Hotel, Phillip Island, VIC
Rhythmicana Festival Friday 29th to Saturday 30th Septmber – Murwillumbah, NSW
Richard Perso Saturday 30th September – Pfeiffer Wines, Wahgunyah, VIC
Rowena w/ BATTS, Jackson McLaren Tuesday 3rd October – The Gasometer Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Ruby Boots Friday 29th September to Monday 2nd October – Semaphore Music Festival, Adelaide, SA
Thursday 5th October – Wesley Anne, Melbourne, VIC
Sal Kimber & The Rollin’ Wheel Saturday 30th September – Alexandra Farmstay, Alexandra, VIC
Sunday 1st October – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne, VIC
Semaphore Music Festival Friday 29th September to Monday 2nd October – Adelaide, SA
Shaky Stills Friday 6th October – Basement Discs, Melbourne, VIC
Skyscraper Stan’s Jukebox feat. Georgia State Line, Ayleen O’Hanlon Wednesday 4th October – Belleville, Melbourne, VIC
Sons Of The East Thursday 5th October – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne, VIC
Stringmania Camp Sunday 1st to Sunday 8th October – Yarra Valley, VIC
The Acfields w/ Looking for Alaska Friday 29th September – Junk Bar, Brisbane, QLD
Friday 6th October – Two Goats Cafe and Baa, Armidale, NSW
The Black Sorrows Friday 29th September – Dee Why RSL Club, Dee Why, NSW
Sunday 1st October – Lizottes, Newcastle, NSW
Monday 2nd October – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra, QLD
Friday 6th October – Satellite Lounge, Wheelers Hill, VIC
The Buck Loner Revue w/ Liz Martin Sunday 1st October – Union Hotel, Sydney, NSW
The Cope Street Parade Saturday 30th September – Rooks Return, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 30th September – Catapult Warehouse, Sydney, NSW
The Excellent Smithers Saturday 30th September – The Retreat Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
The Morrisons w/ The Cope Street Parade Saturday 30th September – Catapult Warehouse, Sydney, NSW
The Northern Folk w/ Rosie Burgess Trio, Zac Saber Wednesday 4th October – The Gasometer, Melbourne, VIC
The Quick & the Dead Friday 29th September – Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Newcastle, NSW
Saturday 30th September – Element Bar, Coffs Harbour, NSW
Sunday 1st September – The Rails, Byron Bay, NSW
Wednesday 4th September – The Top Pub, Uralla, NSW
Thursday 5th September – Old Bank Restaurant & Bar, Dubbo, NSW
Friday 6th September – TBC, Orange, NSW
The Roamin’ Jasmine Friday 29th September – Dashville Skyline, Lower Belford, NSW
Saturday 30th September – Tamworth Hotel, Tamworth, NSW
Sunday 1st October – Dashville Skyline, Lower Belford, NSW
Sunday 1st October – Shady Pines Saloon, Sydney, NSW
The Sauerkrauts Friday 6th October – German Austrian Australian Club, Wondonga, VIC
The Teskey Brothers Friday 29th September to Sunday 1st October – Dashville Skyline, Hunter Valley, NSW
Friday 29th September to Monday 2nd October – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra, QLD
The Turner Brown Band Friday 29th September – Milton Theatre, Milton, NSW
Saturday 30th September – Narooma Kinema, Narooma, NSW
Sunday 1st October – The Waterfront Cafe & General Store, Sydney, NSW
Thursday 5th October – Camelot Lounge, Sydney, NSW
Friday 6th October – Caravan Music Club, Melbourne, VIC
The Twoks Friday 6th October – The B.East, Melbourne, VIC
The Weeping Willows Friday 29th September – Sider Diner Sessions, City Sider, Tamworth, NSW
Saturday 30th September – Hardys Bay Club, Hardys Bay, NSW
Tim Easton Friday 29th September – Flow Bar, Old Bar, NSW
Sunday 1st October – Two Goats Cafe and Baa, Armidale, NSW
Monday 2nd October – The Tamworth Hotel, Tamworth, NSW
Tuesday 3rd October – The Rails, Byron Bay, NSW
Thursday 5th October – The Junk Bar, Brisbane, QLD
Friday 6th October – Headland Cafe Valla Beach, Valla Beach, NSW
Timothy James Bowen Saturday 30th September – Sounds Delicious, Jervis Bay, NSW
Tori Forsyth Sunday 1st October – Phoenix Rising Cafe, Lismore, NSW
Wednesday 4th October – Cattleman Steakhouse, Tamworth, NSW
Friday 6th October – Flutterbies, Tyalgum, NSW
Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife Friday 29th September – Westernport, San Remo, VIC
Sunday 1st October – Martians Cafe & Bar, Deans Marsh, VIC
Uranquinty Folk Festival Friday 29th September to Monday 2nd October – Uranquinty, NSW
Valerie June Friday 29th September to Sunday 1st October – Dashville Skyline, NSW
Sunday 1st October – Forum Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Monday 2nd October – Australian Americana Honours Night, Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Tuesday 3rd October – Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Wallaby Creek Festival Friday 29th September to Sunday 1st October – Homerule Rainforest Lodge, QLD
Waterloo Sunset Sessions feat. The Fibro Cowboys Sunday 1st October – George Hotel, Sydney, NSW
Widow’s Walk w/ Georgia State Line, Nick Payne & the Wanted Few Friday 29th September – The Newsagency, Sydney, NSW
Wildwood Music Festival Sunday 1st October – Port Macquarie, NSW
Wollombi Music Festival Saturday 30th September – Wollombi, NSW
Woody Guthrie: Songs of Freedom feat. Bruce Hearn, Andy Baylor, Kavisha Mazzella, Chris Pascoe, Allara Pattison, Mick Thomas Sunday 1st October – Caravan Music Club, Melbourne, VIC
Friday 6th October – The Spotted Mallard, Melbourne, VIC
Z-Stay Delta Friday 29th September to Monday 2nd October – Caloundra Music Festival, QLD
Friday 6th October – Settler’s Tavern, Margaret River, WA
Sydney singer-songwriter Emma Davis has just released an absolutely stunning new song “Danger In Me”. The heartfelt track was inspired by the current Marriage Equality “debate” and will be released on her upcoming album.
“I didn’t set out to write a song about love, or marriage,” Emma Davis explained. “I was thinking more about labels and the way we use them to try to understand our minds and behaviours a little better. I think I often use songwriting as a way of processing things and as I kept writing, the song morphed into something else. Something I didn’t even realise had been upsetting me so much.”
Take a listen to “Danger In Me” below:
And as an extra special treat Emma Davis released a live video of the track with her band Bonnie Stewart (drums, vocals) and Luke Wellington (keys, vocals) – check it out here:
Two reasons to get to this gig: 1) This is your first chance to check out the brand new Camperdown location for intimate Sydney venue The Newsagency. 2) Taryn La Fauci is launching her amazing new album Cycling. If you’re not at this show where are you?
Friday 21st July – The Newsagency, Sydney, NSW
Gigs Next Week
Amber Rae Slade, Sam Newton Saturday 22nd July – Vic on The Park Hotel, Sydney, NSW
America Monday 24th July – Crown Theatre, Perth, WA
Wednesday 26th July – Hamer Hall, Melbourne, VIC
Friday 28th July – International Convention Centre, Sydney, NSW
An Evening Of Ryan Adams feat. Liz Stringer, Lisa Miller, Gordon Holland, Nick Gramm, John Abougelis Tuesday 25th July – Drunken Poet, Melbourne, VIC
BATTS Friday 21st July – Leadbelly, Sydney, NSW
Saturday 22nd July – Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Brad Butcher Friday 21st July – Nambour RSL, Nambour, QLD
Sunday 23rd July – Burleigh Brewing Co., Burleigh, QLD
Broadbeach Country Music Festival Friday 28th to Sunday 30th July – Broadbeach, QLD
Broads Saturday 22nd July – Some Velvet Morning, Melbourne, VIC
Cake and Cordial Sessions feat. Fanny Lumsden, Kelly Cork, Megan Cooper, Paddy McHugh Friday 28th July – Ashgrove Bowls Club, Brisbane, QLD
Charm of Finches w/ Loren Kate Friday 28th July – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Dan Vogl Thursday 27 July – Gasometer Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Devil Goat Family String Band Sunday 23rd July – Bar Open, Melbourne, VIC
Echuca Winter Blues Festival Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th July – Echuca, VIC
Ed Kuepper Saturday 22nd July – The Melba Spiegeltent, Melbourne, VIC
Fanny Lumsden and Tobias Friday 21st July – Ilfracombe Hall, Ilfracombe, QLD
Saturday 22nd July – Isisford Hall, Isisford, QLD
Sunday 23rd July – Yaraka Hall, Yaraka, QLD
Father John Misty Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd July – Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay, NSW
Sunday 23rd July – Metro Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Monday 24th July – Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne, VIC
FolkSwagon feat. Lucas Road, Christian Patey, Matilda Abraham Wednesday 26th July – Cafe Lounge, Sydney, NSW
Fred Smith, Men In Suits Friday 21st July – House Concert, Eltham, VIC
Georgia Fields and Phia Friday 21st July – The Milk Factory, Brisbane, QLD
Saturday 22nd July – NightQuarter, Gold Coast, QLD
Sunday 23rd July – Brunswick Picture House, Brunswick Heads, NSW
Thursday 27th July – OAF Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Friday 28th July – The Unorthodox Church of Groove, Newcastle, NSW
Georgia State Line Sunday 23rd July – Spotted Mallard, Melbourne, VIC
Get Folked Punk feat. Billy Puntton, Vetty Vials, Jonno Read, Ordinary Steve, Sam Namrekcut, Sare and Nath, Brothers in Arms Thursday 27th July – LazyBones Lounge, Sydney, NSW
Grigoryan Brothers Sunday 23rd July – Riverside Theatre Perth Convention Centre, Perth, WA
Monday 24th July – Riverside Theatre Perth Convention Centre, Perth, WA
Wednesday 26th July – Sydney Theatre, ICC Sydney, Sydney, NSW
Thursday 27th July – Sydney Theatre, ICC Sydney, Sydney, NSW
Helen Townsend Friday 21st July – Sunset Studio, Mayfield, NSW
Husky Saturday 22nd July – Mojos, Fremantle, WA
Sunday 23rd July – The Rosemount, Perth, WA
Illawarra Folk Club feat. Steve Wilson, Margaret Bradford, Jimmy & Shay, Nerida Cuddy Friday 21st July – City Diggers, Wollongong, NSW
J-L Rathbone
Saturday 22nd July – AICM, Gympie, QLD
Jen Mize Saturday 22nd July – City Golf Club, Toowoomba, QLD
Jesse Younan 9th Anniversary Tribute Show Saturday 22nd July – Camelot Lounge, Sydney, NSW
Jim Lawrie Friday 28th July – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne, VIC
Julia Johnson Saturday 22nd July – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra, ACT
Kelly Brouhaha Friday 21st July – No 5 Church St, Bellingen, NSW
Saturday 22nd July – The Music Lounge, Sydney, NSW
Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes Friday 28th to Sunday 30th July – Broadbeach Country Music Festival, Broadbeach, QLD
Leo Rondeau, David Garnham Wednesday 26th July – Midnight Special, Sydney, NSW
Lines of Flight Thursday 27th July – Kave Bar, Newport, NSW
Lloyd Spiegel Friday 21st July – The Mullumbimby ex-Services Club, Mullumbimby, NSW
Saturday 22nd July – The Sound Lounge, Currumbin, QLD
Lost Ragas Friday 21st July – Some Velvet Morning, Melbourne, VIC
Lucy Wise Friday 28th July – St Margaret’s Anglican Church, Eltham, VIC
Matt Joe Gow Saturday 22nd July – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne, VIC
Melanie Horsnell Sunday 23rd July – Live Spark @ Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane, QLD
Mem Davis and Kindred Spirit Friday 28th July – The Yo-Yo Bar, Wollongong, NSW
Miles and Simone Thursday 27th July – The Golden Age Cinema, Sydney, NSW
Mountain Pickers Association Club Fundraiser Concert feat. Slim Dime, Appalachian Heaven Stringband, Nine Mile Creek Sunday 23rd July – The 1812 Theatre, Fern Tree Gully, VIC
O’Shea Friday 28th July – Leadbelly, Sydney, NSW
Oliver Downes w/ Imogen Pemberton, Georgia Smith Wednesday 26th July – Open Studio, Melbourne, VIC
Parodies Past & Present feat. Phyl Lobl & Paul Spencer Saturday 22nd July – Loaded Dog Folk Club, Sydney, NSW
Pete Murray Friday 21st July – Racehorse Hotel, Ipswich, QLD
Saturday 22nd July – The Star, Gold Coast, QLD
Sunday 23rd July – Redland Bay Hotel, Redland Bay, QLD
Wednesday 26th July – Cex, Coffs Harbour, NSW
Thursday 27th July – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle, NSW
Friday 28th July – The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay, NSW
Rezza House Concert Series feat. Rick Hart, Lloyd Clarke Sunday 23rd July – House Concert, Melbourne, VIC
Rich Davies & The Low Road Saturday 22nd July – The Labour in Vain, Melbourne, VIC
Riley Pearce w/ Elli Schoen, The Hunting Birds Friday 21st July – Secret Warehouse Show, Perth, WA
Saturday 22nd July – Secret Warehouse Show, Fremantle, WA
Sam Buckingham Sunday 23rd July – Tamworth Hotel, Tamworth, NSW
Thursday 27th July – Four5Nine, Perth, WA
Sam Shinazzi, Sam Newton, DJ Post To Wire Thursday 27th July – The Midnight Special, Sydney, NSW
Scottish Ceilidh feat. Melbourne Scottish Fiddlers Sunday 23rd July – St James Uniting Church Hall, Box Hill South, VIC
Shane Nicholson Thursday 27th July – Camelot Lounge, Sydney, NSW
Friday 28th to Sunday 30th July – Broadbeach Country Music Festival, QLD
Smith Street Dreaming feat. Frank Yamma, Emma Donovan Saturday 22nd July – Smith St, Melbourne, VIC
Splendour in the Grass Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd July – Byron Bay, NSW
St Joan Monday 24th July – LazyBones Lounge, Sydney, NSW
Steamed Up at Lawson Pub feat. Willem Rhooda, Ian Host & Rob Thompson, Elle Petersen & Ian Tanner, Golden Whistler, Chris O, Edith Grove, Ryan Tremble, Johnny Cordukes Sunday 23rd July – Blue Mountain Hotel, Lawson, NSW
Steve Smyth & The Outlaws Wednesday 26th July – The Junkyard, Maitland, NSW
Thursday 27th July – Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney, NSW
Supper Clubs at CERES feat. Lucie Thorne Saturday 22nd July – CERES Environment Park, Melbourne, VIC
Taryn La Fauci Friday 21st July – The Newsagency, Sydney, NSW
The Ahern Brothers Saturday 22nd July – The Wesley Anne, Melbourne, VIC
Friday 28th July – Green Door Wines, Ferguson Valley, WA
The Bean Project Friday 21st July – Wesley Anne, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 22nd July – The Skylark Room, Upwey, VIC
Thursday 27th July – Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney, NSW
Friday 28th July – No. 5 Church St, Bellingen, NSW
The Cake & Cordial Sessions feat. Fanny Lumsden, Kelly Cork, Megan Cooper, Paddy McHugh Friday 28th July – Ashgrove Bowls Club, Brisbane, QLD
The Collingwood Casanovas Friday 28th July – The Lomond Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
The Demon Drink Friday 21st July – Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney, NSW
Saturday 22nd July – Gasoline Pony, Sydney, NSW
The Ramshackle Army Saturday 22nd July – Bendigo Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
The Shaolin Afronauts Thursday 27th July – The Gov, Adelaide, SA
The Teskey Brothers Friday 21st July – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 22nd July – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th July – Echuca Winter Blues Festival, Echuca, VIC
Timberwolf Friday 21st July – Leadbelly, Sydney, NSW
Tori Forsyth Thursday 27th July – Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane, QLD
Friday 28th to Sunday 31st July – Broadbeach Country Music Festival, Broadbeach, QLD
Vanishing Shapes Friday 21st July – Foghorn Brewhouse, Erina, NSW
Waterloo Sunset Sessions feat. The Fibro Cowboys Sunday 23rd July – George Hotel, Sydney, NSW
Yarra’s Women of Country feat. Sue Ray Sunday 23rd July – Standard Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Zulya and the Children of the Underground Monday 24th July – Open Studio, Melbourne, VIC
Sydney indie-folk singer-songwriter Emma Davis has just released the gorgeous new clip for her single “Getting Better”.
The video was filmed around the Illawarra Coast and directed by popular cinematographer Sam Brumby.
“To me, the song is about thinking and overthinking and realising you still have so much more to learn about your own mind, but that that’s alright,” Davis explained. “I wanted to give an insight into someone trying hard to have a solo adventure, struggling to make it work at every step but still being comfortable with the idea of sadness.”
Get Folked Mini Festival feat. The Daily Specials, Reuben and the Ego Boost, Black Joak Morris Dancers, The Villebillies, Queen Porter Stomp, Swamp Fat Jangles, TOOT, Vanishing Shapes, Low Down Riders, The Button Collective, Colour Blind Craig, Bec Bastoli, AccaPony, Velmonix, Narrownecks & Friends, Marrickville Shanty Club, Matt Druery
Last year’s Get Folked Mini Festival at the Gasoline Pony in Sydney was one of our favourite events of 2016 and this year’s is looking bigger and better. If you don’t have tickets beg, borrow and steal in order to get in the door.
Saturday 17th June – Gasoline Pony, Sydney, NSW
Gigs Next Week
19-Twenty Friday 16th June – Ryan’s Hotel, Thirroul, NSW
Saturday 17th June – Ryan’s Hotel, Thirroul, NSW
A Series of Dreams – The Songs of Bob Dylan feat. Rob Snarksi, Liz Stringer, Kelly Day, Jane Hendry, Luke Sinclair, Nick O’Mara Friday 16th June – Memo Music Hall, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 17th June – Memo Music Hall, Melbourne, VIC
Acoustic Sundays in June feat. Joe Guiton, Jo Neugebauer, Joe Ling Sunday 18th June – Reverence Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Áine Tyrrell Saturday 17th June – Long Play, Melbourne, VIC
All Our Exes Live In Texas Friday 16th June – Brass Monkey, Cronulla, NSW
Saturday 17th June – Metro Social @ The Metropole, Katoomba, NSW
Friday 23rd June – Jive, Adelaide, SA
Amber Lawrence & Catherine Britt w/ Fanny Lumsden Friday 16th June – Innisfail RSL, Innisfail, QLD
Saturday 17th June – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville, QLD
Wednesday 21st June – McGuires CBD Hotel, Mackay, QLD
Thursday 22nd June – Dooley’s Tavern & Motel, Capella, QLD
Friday 23rd June – Rainforest Ranch, Rockhampton, QLD
Andy Golledge Sunday 18th June – Golden Barley, Sydney, NSW
Anne of the Wolves Friday 23rd June – The Thornbury Local, Melbourne, VIC
Ben Salter Sunday 18th June – Hobart Brewing Company, Hobart, TAS
Friday 23rd June – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine, VIC
Beth Orton Friday 16th June – Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra, ACT
Sunday 18th June – The Triffid, Brisbane, QLD
Bluegrass @ Yulli’s feat. The Flat Rock Boys Wednesday 21st June – Yull’s, Sydney, NSW
Brad Butcher Friday 16th June – The Skylark Room, Upwey, VIC
Saturday 17th June – Americana Sessions @ The Retreat, Melbourne, VIC
Sunday 19th June – The Union Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Friday 23rd June – House Concert, Geelong, VIC
Broads Wednesday 21st June – Old Bar, Melbourne, VIC
Friday 23rd June – The Junk Bar, Brisbane, QLD
Busby Marou Friday 16th June – Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 17th June – Workers Club, Geelong, VIC
Sunday 18th June – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave, VIC
Thursday 22nd June – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River, WA
Friday 23rd June – The Northshore Tavern, Perth, WA
Carus Thompson w/ Nathan Gaunt Thursday 22nd June – Leadbelly, Sydney, NSW
Friday 23rd June – Wesley Anne, Melbourne, VIC
Catherine Traicos Friday 16th June – Bassendean Hotel, Perth, WA
Saturday 17th June – Fremantle Winter Music Festival, Swan Lounge, Fremantle, WA
Clare Bowditch Friday 16th June – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine, VIC
Collingwood Casanovas Sunday 18th June – The Standard Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Daniel Champagne Friday 16th June – Braidwood Hotel, Braidwood, NSW
Saturday 17th June – Mumbulla School Hall, Bega, NSW
Friday 23rd June – The Tea Club Nowra, Nowra, NSW
Devil Goat Family String Band Saturday 17th June – Bar Open, Melbourne, VIC
Emma Davis Friday 23rd June – Frank’s Wild Years, Thirroul, NSW
Figgy Folk Session for Song, Verse and Tune Tuesday 20th June – Figtree Hotel, Wollongong, NSW
Fiona Ross & Tony McManus Friday 16th June – The Polish White Eagle Club, Canberra, ACT
Saturday 17th June – Magda Community Artz, Brisbane, QLD
Sunday 18th June – Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney, NSW
Wednesday 21st June – The Spotted Mallard, Melbourne, VIC
Georgia State Line Saturday 17th June – Union Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Get Folked Mini Festival feat. The Button Collective, Toot, Queen Porter Stomp, The Low Down Riders, The Villebillies, Acca-Pony, Craig Edmondson Saturday 17th June – Gasoline Pony, Sydney, NSW
Grand Howl Music Fest feat. Laura McFarlane, Moonlover, Tammy Haider, Nick Batterham, J M S Harrison, Michael Plater, Gretta Ziller, Nathan Seeckts, Tom Redwood, Cabin Inn, Nick Gramm, Lack the Low Sunday 18th June – The Catfish, Melbourne, VIC
Hayden Calnin Saturday 17th June – Howler, Melbourne, VIC
High Tea feat. Wes Carr Thursday 22nd June – House Concert, Sydney, NSW
Honey & Knives Friday 23rd June – 5 Church St, Bellingen, NSW
Instrumental (adj.), Hinterlandt, Brian Campeau Friday 23rd June – 107 Projects, Sydney, NSW
Jacob Diamond Friday 23rd June – Odd Fellow, Fremantle, WA
Jeff Lang Friday 16th June – Street Theatre, Canberra, ACT
Saturday 17th June – Murrah Hall, NSW
Jen Mize Friday 23rd June – Bohemian Bungalow, Eumundi, QLD
Joe & Harmony’s Trippy Hippy Band Saturday 17th June – Kindle Hill School Amphitheatre, Wentworth Falls, NSW
John Flanagan Trio Saturday 17th June – The Wesley Anne, Melbourne, VIC
José Carbó with Slava & Leonard Grigoryan Friday 16th June – The Carrington, Katoomba, NSW
Saturday 17th June – Jamberoo School of Arts, Jamberoo, NSW
Kuranda Roots Festival Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th June – Kuranda, QLD
Larissa Tandy w/ Brooke Russell and The Mean Reds Friday 16th June – The Wheatsheaf, Adelaide, SA
Saturday 17th June – The Singing Gallery, McLaren Vale, SA
Thursday 22nd June – The Milk Factory, Brisbane, QLD
Friday 23rd June – Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney, NSW
Leah Senior Saturday 17th June – The Toff, Melbourne, VIC
Les Thomas Friday 16th June – Kingsbury Bowls Club, Melbourne, VIC
Friday 23rd June – Kingsbury Bowls Club, Melbourne, VIC
Lisa Mitchell and Dustin Tebbutt w/ Alex The Astronaut Friday 16th June – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay, NSW
Saturday 17th June – Solbar, Maroochydore, QLD
Friday 23rd June – Newport Hotel, Fremantle, WA
Liz Stringer’s Big Tuesday String-a-long feat. Neil Murray Tuesday 20th June – The Gasometer, Melbourne, VIC
Lloyd Spiegel Friday 16th June – The Camelot Lounge, Sydney, NSW
Saturday 17th June – The Stag and Hunter Hotel, Newcastle, NSW
Sunday 18th June – The Sydney Blues and Roots Festival, Windsor, NSW
Friday 23rd June – The Piping Hot Chicken Shop, Ocean Grove, VIC
Lolo Lovina w/ Babaganoush Friday 16th June – Bar Open, Melbourne, VIC
Lowdown Hokum Orchestra Friday 23rd June – Burrinja, Upwey, VIC
Lust for Live feat. One Proud Monkey, Civil Hands, Sunset Pass, Honey Saturday 17th June – Kelly’s Irish Pub, Mudgee, NSW
Mic Conway & Sean Curtis w/ The Water Runners Friday 16th June – City Diggers, Wollongong, NSW
Mick Thomas Friday 16th June – Moyston Hall, Ararat, VIC
Saturday 17th June – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh, VIC
Miriam Lieberman Trio Saturday 17th June – Django Bar, Sydney, NSW
Mitch King & Nick Murray Thursday 22nd June – Brighton up Bar, Sydney, NSW
Out of Nowhere w/ Mark Lucas Saturday 17th June – Staves Brewery, Sydney, NSW
Papa Pilko And The Binrats Saturday 17th June – The Wickham Park Hotel, Newcastle, NSW
Pete Fidler & Jacob McGuffie Sunday 18th June – Kingsbury Bowls Club, Melbourne, VIC
Quinton Trembath w/ Huckleberry Hastings Friday 16th June – Parliament on King, Sydney, NSW
Raised By Eagles Saturday 17th June – Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh, VIC
Sunday 18th June – The Junkyard, Newcastle, NSW
Rick Hart Sunday 18th June – The Public Brewery, Melbourne, VIC
Sally & George Friday 16th June – Maundering Folk Club, Perth, WA
Saturday 17th June – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Fremantle, WA
Sunday 18th June – Jackadders Folk Club, Perth, WA
Monday 19th June – Summer Supper Club, Perth, WA
Sam Buckingham Wednesday 21st June – Open Studio, Melbourne, VIC
Thursday 22nd June – The Junk Bar, Brisbane, QLD
Sam Reiher and the September Gurls w/ Mitch Power Saturday 17th June – Some Velvet Morning, Melbourne, VIC
Slava & Sharon Grigoryan Sunday 18th June – Wesley Music Centre, Canberra ACT
Thursday 22nd June – Adamshurst Restaurant and Function Centre, Albury, NSW
Friday 23rd June – St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Shepparton, VIC
Taasha Coates Friday 16th June – Leadbelly, Sydney, NSW
Sunday 18th June – Brass Monkey, Cronulla, NSW
The Bean Project Friday 16th June – Element Bar, Coffs Harbour, NSW
Saturday 17th June – Nimbin Bush Theatre, Nimbin, NSW
Sunday 18th June – Cambewarra Community Hall, Cambewarra, NSW
Friday 23rd June – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra, ACT
The Gravy Tram and Rosie Burgess Sunday 18th June – Open Studio, Melbourne, VIC
The Spooky Men’s Chorale Friday 23rd June – Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle, NSW
The Vacationists and Ainsley Farrell Friday 16th June – Vic on the Park, Sydney, NSW
Tulalah Thursday 22nd June – The Gasometer, Melbourne, VIC
Vardos Friday 16th June – Bar Open, Melbourne, VIC
Chatting with Ted Egan at the illawarrafolkfestival today and he told me how impressed he was with all the young pe… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…1 day ago
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