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Get A Little Taste Of “Candy” With Sin City

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In recent years, the country/rock ‘n’ roll renegades Sin City have been tearing up stages all over Europe, New Zealand, and Australia, promoting and touring in support of their excellent first album Welcome To Sin City (2022) and EP Something’s Cookin’ (2023). Now they’ve dropped the music video for their latest single ‘Am I The One You Love,’ and they’re teasing the frenetic with their new single ‘Candy’, revelling in the honky tonk sound of their upcoming sophomore album, slated for release in April.

The song, which debuted on PBS FM’s Swinging Doors, was recorded last year on analogue reel to reel tape at Sound Recordings in Campbells Creek, VIC. It’s about the common experience of touring musicians – a short romance that you find while on the road. Singer and keyboardist Nick Armstrong says, “When you eventually see they’ve moved on and are happy, you can’t help but be a little bit disappointed!” However, you must realise that fleeting flings do not endure. That’s the message of the song.

With regard to the track’s audio, the group was going for “a song that captured the faster, louder side of Americana/country tinged rock n roll.” Their aim is certainly achieved as the song rips along with boundless enthusiasm, confidence, and vivacity. The rhythm section of drums, bass, and keyboard dive-bombs guitar solos as the aggressive voice — a hybrid of David Johansen (of the New York Dolls), Paul Westerberg (of The Replacements), and Chris Robinson (of The Black Crowes) — erupts.

For a sense of Sin City’s real musicality and unfettered irreverence, check out the video clip below, which was picked for CMT broadcast and was shot and edited by James Morris.

During the formation of Sin City, longtime friends Nick Armstrong (piano, organ, vocals) and Jack Beesley (formerly of garage punk rockers The Cavemen) spent months in the dry streets of Alicante, Spain, penning songs influenced by their shared appreciation of soul, country, and rock ‘n’ roll music from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s.

Delaney Davidson, a producer and kiwi country svengali, quickly had them back on their native turf of Aotearoa/New Zealand, where they began recording an album. With a lineup that included Marty Robbins and Mink Deville, the result was 2022’s Welcome To Sin City, which was well-received in New Zealand; it was later used on the soundtrack of the murder mystery series The Brokenwood Mysteries.

The two quickly made the journey over the water to Melbourne, where they recruited long-term players Andrew Blackman, Cameron Hicks, and Christopher Hockey. Since then, this five-piece force has been crashing the floors of dive-bars and pubs all across Australia with their explosive blend of country-soul and rock ‘n’ roll from the 1970s. They’ve shared the stage with local and international legends like Foggy Notion, Jenny Don’t & The Spurs, and Sweet Talk.

Sin City are getting ready to bring their boisterous, raw sound to a broader audience in Australia and around the world with the release of their sophomore album Another Round in April.

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Listen To Ashleigh Dallas On The Country HQ Podcast

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Country music enthusiasts, get ready to tune in to the latest episode of Country HQ’s acclaimed series, “Spotlight On.” We’re thrilled to announce that the spotlight is now shining brightly on the immensely talented Ashleigh Dallas, and the episode is available for streaming on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

In this captivating installment of “Spotlight On,” listeners are treated to an intimate journey through Ashleigh Dallas’s remarkable career in the country music scene. From her early influences to her chart-topping hits, Ashleigh shares insights, anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes stories that offer a rare glimpse into her world as a singer-songwriter.

Listeners will be spellbound as Ashleigh reflects on her musical journey, recounting the moments that have shaped her artistry and propelled her to the forefront of the country music landscape. With her soulful vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and authentic storytelling, Ashleigh Dallas has captured the hearts of fans around the globe, and this episode of “Spotlight On” is a testament to her enduring talent and passion for music.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Ashleigh’s music for the first time, this episode is not to be missed. Join us as we celebrate the artistry and brilliance of Ashleigh Dallas in the latest installment of Country HQ’s “Spotlight On” series.

To listen to the episode featuring Ashleigh Dallas, simply head over to Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and immerse yourself in the magic of her music. Don’t forget to subscribe to Country HQ for more exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and unforgettable moments with your favorite country artists.

Tune in, turn up the volume, and let the music of Ashleigh Dallas fill your soul. It’s time to experience the magic of “Spotlight On”!

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Stapleton Australian Tour Sells Out Six Shows In Hours

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Country music sensation Chris Stapleton’s upcoming debut Australian tour for 2025 has already made waves, with the announcement of six sold-out shows across the continent. The news comes as a testament to Stapleton’s immense popularity and the eager anticipation among Australian fans to experience his electrifying performances live.

The announcement of Stapleton’s Australian tour generated immense excitement among country music enthusiasts across the continent, many of whom have long awaited the opportunity to see him perform live. With tickets for all six shows selling out in record time, it’s clear that Stapleton’s appeal knows no bounds, transcending geographical boundaries to resonate with audiences of all backgrounds.

Stapleton’s Australian tour promises to showcase the full breadth of his musical prowess, from intimate acoustic ballads to rollicking, foot-stomping anthems. With a setlist spanning his impressive catalog of hits, including chart-toppers like “Tennessee Whiskey,” “Parachute,” and “White Horse,” audiences can expect a dynamic and unforgettable live experience that will leave them craving more.

For Stapleton, the sold-out Australian tour is a testament to the enduring power of authentic, heartfelt music and the deep connection it fosters between artists and fans. As he prepares to take the stage in front of sold-out crowds across Australia, Stapleton must truly be humbled by the overwhelming response and grateful for the opportunity to share his music with audiences around the world.

As the countdown to Stapleton’s Australian tour begins, fans can rest assured knowing they’re in for a night to remember, filled with passion, energy, and the unmistakable sound of one of country music’s brightest stars. With tickets in high demand and anticipation reaching a fever pitch, Stapleton’s debut Australian tour for 2025 is shaping up to be an unmissable event for music lovers across the continent.

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Essential Listening This Weekend – “Say What You Mean” – Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits

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Hana and Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits have been a staple of the rising alt-country scene in Australia live since the release of their debut album “Southlands” in 2017. They have played at various festivals such as WOMADelaide, Out On The Weekend, Brunswick Music Festival, Adelaide Guitar Festival, Dashville Skyline & Queenscliff Music Festival, and Tamworth Country Music Festival, where they have tirelessly worked to perfect the band’s sound.

Eleven songs make up the album “Say What You Mean,” which was recorded at Alex O’Gorman’s Pakenham studio and features the lead singles “Arrowhead” and “Tallest Of Tales” (which have been added to high rotation on ABC Country) as well as “Paper Boats” and a variety of rock’n’roll swagger, country influences, and soul ballads. Hana and Jessie-Lee have been performing music together for nearly a decade. On this new album, they are accompanied by the Bad Habits rhythm section, which consists of two of Melbourne’s best musicians, Tommy Brooks (bass, slide, pedal steel) and Patrick Wilson (drums & percussion). Additionally, Norwood (backing vocals), Joe Cope (keys), Jordie Gilmour (drums), and Kate Alexander (backing vocals) make an appearance. With the exception of three tracks, Alex O’Gorman mixed the album at Phaedra Studios. John Lee mastered it, while Stephen Mowat (Wilsn) mixed the other tracks.

Love, awful first dates, insomnia, loss dread, longing home, and avoiding troublesome individuals are some of the lyrical topics covered. In the first track, “Misery Queen,” the band playfully points out the problems in a relationship while playing languid rock and roll in the style typical of the South. Without missing a beat, Jessie-Lee strides into one of her characteristic earworm guitar riffs on her distinctive green Gretsch, which harmonises perfectly with Hana’s brassy vocals. Title track “Say What You Mean” is a raucous rock anthem that implores people to be honest rather than silent in their relationships, while “Under The Vines” is a haunting tribute to homesickness in the vein of Bruce Springsteen.

“When we were picking songs to put on the album, it was a matter of what fit together, and what felt good playing as a band. I think I had about 25 songs and was still writing new material right up until we were going into the studio. We played a few at shows in their rawest form to see how they felt, how people reacted and that helped us make the final decision on the songs included.” – Hana

“These Shambles,” a cover of an older song with updated lyrics, is a bonus track on the CD and digital releases.

“We decided to record These Shambles again because it seemed to be a crowd favourite at shows” says Jessie-Lee Zubkevych of the re-record. “People sang along, and the song had changed shape into a bit more of an upbeat heavier version.”

In support of the new album, the band is taking to the road to play some new places and return to some old favourites all over Australia. For the first time, Tasmania, Bendigo, and Beechworth in Victoria are all on the list, as well as several features at the Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival in Sydney on the last weekend in May.

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