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Jess Parker’s Fever Dream Leads To New Single
Victorian country, blues and folk artist Jess Parker has released the title-track from her forthcoming third album Wholesome Prison Blues following premieres on Sunburnt Country Music and Swinging Doors on PBS.
Jess Parker has had a prolific few years, with the release of two albums in three years – Death Songs and Kitchen Spirituals (2020), and Bread and Butter (2022), both of which received critical acclaim and led to a string of sold-out shows, from Melbourne to the state’s outer regions.
In the very near future, Jess will release her new album Wholesome Prison Blues on the independent label Ragged Gum Records and today she sends the title-track single out into the world.
The song tumbles out of the speakers like a Mexico/California speakeasy border jam. One can draw a line to the jazz, country and blues fusion style that artists such as Tom Waits, Calexico and Pokey LaFarge do so well.
As Jess explains, ‘Wholesome Prison Blues’ came together in unexpected circumstances. “It was written after falling into a fever dream on a break at work, at the Old Castlemaine Gaol!“
“It’s a tale about a piano player who keeps a gun in their boot to fend off drunks, and ends up accidentally shooting a man who tries to steal their boots mid-song. This is a plea from their jail cell, an attempt to get back their honky tonk freedom.”
Jess’ previous single ‘Help Myself‘, which premiered on Sunburnt Country Music and Swinging Doors on PBSFM, was broadcast on the video channel CMT and received widespread airplay across community radio, takes Western Swing and the sound of New Orleans (courtesy of Eamon McNelis’ trumpet and Phill Jenkins’ tuba) and blends them seamlessly. A country strum and melodic fiddle playing provide colour and verve for the dance floor, while Jess delivers an important, righteous message about “being a woman in a man’s world, learning to be yourself and havin’ fun!”
With their unique brew of country blues, minor-key sass and Western Swing, Jess and her band know how to sling a tune.
After being nominated for ‘Best Regional Act of 2022’ by Music Victoria, Parker and her seven-piece band are picking up traction – making a household name for themselves, across Australia and internationally, as bonafide originals – true country gems.
Jess has performed with the likes of Cedric Burnside (USA), CW Stoneking and Tex Perkins to name a few – gaining recognition as an incredible songwriter, finger-picker and storyteller.
On March 1st 2024, Harvey Russell will release his second solo album via Heartland Music Australia. Today he releases the slow-burning title track ‘Pure as the Flame’, and Country HQ is proud to be the first to share it.
Harvey Russell rounds out 2023 with the fourth single from his forthcoming new album, due on March 1st. The title track ‘Pure As The Flame’ finds the Sydney alt-country songwriter exploring a more atmospheric, swaying and intimate sound, enhanced by a lilting violin and the evocative strains of Aaron Langman’s pedal steel.
Russell sings, ‘It rises like a wave and breaks with relief / The right to your silence and the thrill of a thief’ as he places himself inside the mind of a kleptomaniac and the feeling of relief and euphoria they feel when they give in to an impulse or addiction.
“I’m often interested in what motivates people to act and how they attempt to find meaning in the world. ‘Pure as the Flame’ depicts the short, fast burn of chasing an illusion that satisfies momentarily and then quickly fades away to devastating effect. It’s a clear tale of how inner conflict can lead to self-deception,” says Russell, reflecting on the song and why it also provided the title for his new album.
“I wanted to elevate this track in particular because I think we’re seeing quite a bit of this quick-hit, quick-fix attitude in the culture today, and I’m not convinced it’s all for the best.”
The new single is another fascinating side of a songwriter constantly seeking out new ways to document and convey the struggle and joy of the human experience.
Ella Powell is ending a successful year with the release of her brand new single ‘Country Love.’
This lighthearted, toe-tapping song shows what Ella does best, her country-inspired storytelling and catchy pop melodies.
Produced by Matt Fell and Shane Nicholson, this highly anticipated release is here just in time to add to your summer playlists!
At a very young age, Ella desired to be both a ‘cowgirl and pop princess.’ Growing up listening to a variety of artists, in her early teenage years, she began to blend Country, Pop and Folk genres together to create her own sound.
Fans of Taylor Swift, Kelsea Ballerini and Jewel will connect with Ella’s relatable lyrics and powerful vocals. Ella first became noticed within the music industry in 2019, where she won Peoples Choice Award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, which was closely followed by her debut single release ‘Paper Town’ in 2020.
Since then, she has become a rapidly rising artist, with her releases being added onto major Spotify and Apple Music playlists, sitting on numerous music charts, being added onto ABC High Rotation as well as being named Triple J’s feature artist of the month.
With her streaming and radio plays going into the hundreds of thousands, particularly with the hits ‘Behind The Glass’ and ‘Along The Way,’ she is gaining fans from all around the globe.
Over the last few years, Ella has performed at numerous festivals, supported a variety of musicians, and headlined many sold-out shows.
Working with a long list of award-winning industry professionals, including Matt Fell, Shane Nicholson, Grammy-winning engineer William Bowden, and publicist Stuart Coupe, it is evident why she was named the National Junior Songwriter of the Year. Her future within the industry looks extremely promising, with her debut EP set to be released in 2024.
Lucie Tiger’s latest single, Shake The Frost, marks a captivating departure from her recent releases. The title may ring a bell, as it was originally penned and performed by esteemed Kentucky-born singer-songwriter Tyler Childers. Lucie has held a special affinity for this song, making it a staple in her live performances for several years. It feels fitting that she unveils her rendition of it during her first Christmas season in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
For Lucie, “Shake The Frost” embodies a sense of nostalgia and a longing for change, an anthem of knowing that one can emerge from the darkness and ‘shake the frost,’ especially with the support of the right people. While the song may carry diverse meanings for different listeners, Lucie aspires to introduce it to a fresh audience. For those already acquainted with the tune, her added instrumentation amplifies the warmth and hope embedded in the lyrics.
Much like the songs that have influenced her, Lucie’s music is recorded organically, with all musicians collaborating in the studio, creating an authentic and vibrant sound. Performed by Lucie Tiger (acoustic guitar, vocals), Shake The Frost also features Bob Wray (bass), Brad Kuhn (keys), Will McFarlane (electric guitar), Justin Holder (percussion). Engineered by Colin Lott, produced by John Gifford III and mastered by Chris Bethea.
Lucie Tiger has some excellent runs on the board. Her self-penned song Gasoline won Country Blues Song of the Year 2021 and she’s the only independent Australian artist to have five singles on the MusicRow Country Breakout Chart plus four singles in the CountryTown Top 40 chart in Australia including Found My Home, Midnight Goodbye, Do Me Right, Right Next To You and Burn It Down.
Lucie’s April 2022 album Alabama Highway debuted at #14 on the ARIA Country Albums chart (Australia’s equivalent to the Billboard Country Albums chart) and #10 on the AIR (Australian Independent Record Label) Albums Chart. Lucie’s September 2022 acoustic album The Memphis Tapes recorded at the legendary Sun Studios, Memphis, debuted at #7 on the AIR Albums Chart.
Lucie Tiger has featured in Americana Rhythm Magazine (USA), Rhythms Magazine (Australia), CountryTown, Today’s Country Magazine, The Music, Country Music Capital News, Scenestr plus CMT Television and the television program Songwriters Across Australia. Her song Christmas In The South was listed as one of the 10 Best Australian Christmas Songs in 2022 and her songs are regularly in the Top 10 Australian Songwriter Awards 2022, where she’s been industry-nominated twice for the Rudy Brandsma Award for Songwriting Excellence by the ASA.
Country HQ premieres “Pure As The Flame”, the new single from Harvey Russell
Spotlight On…..Ella Powell
Lucie Tiger’s Covers Tyler Childers For Latest Single ‘Shake The Frost’
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