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Alt-country’s Dead Beat Daddios Premiere “The Letter” On CHQ
‘The Letter’ is the second single from the upcoming album Further Away by the Victorian alt-country band Dead Beat Daddios and thanks to the band, CountryHQ has the premiere of the single for everyone to listen to first.
A loose conglomeration of country and roots musicians hailing from Melbourne, Dead Beat Daddios is fronted by Jim Carden and Hugh Martin. Following 2010’s Dashboard Elvis and 2015’s Third Time Around and 2023’s House For Sale, their latest EP, Further Away, is their fourth studio album.
‘The Letter’ is the band’s new single, following the languid and nostalgic ‘Stonehaven Road,’ which was played on ABC Country. Acoustic guitar chords introduce the song, which starts with Martin singing about discovering a long-lost letter buried in a stack of old photographs. The band then gradually enters the scene.
The song has a classic, mournful alt-country vibe, with Martin’s gently worn voice set against a chorus of beautiful backing harmonies, Rod Berglund’s exquisitely tasteful guitar solo, and Mick Collopy’s warm Hammond organ backdrop.
“The song is about how memories of those who were closest to us change over time,” says Martin. “And how we try to hold on to the little things about them when they’ve gone, the way they walked, or a certain mannerism that was unique. So often it’s these small things you forget first.”
Some of Melbourne’s most beloved country, blues, and indie bands have featured Daddios on their albums, which Martin and Carden compiled for this project. All the way from Chequerboard Lounge and the Warner Brothers to Rich Webb, the illustrious Elroy Flicker (real name Paul Cumming), the Pheasantry, the Tonalists, Mr. Cassidy, and the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.
Martin has been a part of Melbourne’s music scene for a long enough time to recall a time when Roccos was the sole retailer of good boots. He has performed with several groups, including the T-Bones, Paul Cumming, Rich Webb, the Dufranes, and The Cracked Jaffers, where he played bass, guitar, and keyboard.
In addition to his roles as drummer for the Rich Webb Band and the long-running Melbourne band The Warner Brothers, Carden was formerly the T-Bones’ drummer.
As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again, the eagerly anticipated new album by The Decemberists, is now available via YABB Records (Thirty Tigers). Following a six-year break, the band’s ninth studio album, As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again, was released. Lead singer Colin Meloy and Tucker Martine produced the amazing double album, which also includes guest appearances by Mike Mills of REM and James Mercer of The Shins.
The Decemberists have been one of the most inventive, audacious, and exciting American rock bands for two decades. The Decemberists were formed in 2000 when guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist Colin Meloy relocated from Montana to Portland, Oregon, where he met guitarist Chris Funk, bassist Nate Query, and keyboardist Jenny Conlee. Their debut EP, 5 Songs, was released in 2001, and their hyperliterate folk-rock sound immediately established them as a unique group. The band joined with Kill Rock Stars for the release of the critically praised albums Her Majesty The Decemberists (2003) and Picaresque (2005), which was produced by Chris Walla, after their 2002 full-length debut with Castaways and Cutouts. The band’s lofty artistic goals were made evident in their 2004 EP The Tain, an epic 18-minute single track.
With the addition of drummer John Moen around this period, the band’s regular lineup started to take shape, and in 2006 they unintentionally signed with Capitol Records for their debut album on the major label. When the band released The Crane Wife, their most ambitious and daring record to date—a song cycle produced by Walla and Tucker Martine, who would go on to become a longtime creative partner—fans’ worries that they would stray from their signature sound quickly dissipated. The album added elements of ’70s prog, hard rock, and even quasi-disco to their palette. The New York Times, Rolling Stone, SPIN, Stereogum, and Pitchfork all praised the album highly and called it Best New Music.
A full-length concept album based on Meloy’s conception for a stage musical, The Hazards of Love, became a Top 20 smash three years later. With their first #1 album, The King Is Dead, which included the GRAMMY-nominated song “Down By The Water,” they once again outperformed themselves in 2011. Following the release of their album What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World in 2015, which featured the #1 AAA radio hit song “Make You Better,” The Decemberists, along with producer John Congleton, experimented with new sounds and musical techniques for their eighth studio album, I’ll Be Your Girl (2018). “Every band, even The Decemberists, a band whose records have always come bursting with verve, needs to refresh and reconsider its sound sooner or later, no matter how sharp it’s gotten over the course of a long career,” NPR Music wrote. “I’ll Be Your Girl captures a collaborative spirit that keeps the band sounding vibrant and alive.”
In the latest episode of the Country HQ Spotlight On podcast, we are over the moon to be welcoming special guest Jayne Denham, wherein listeners can expect an engaging conversation about her journey in the music industry. Known for her powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, Jayne Denham has made waves in the country music landscape, and are a feature of her latest album MOONSHINE.
Hosted by Adam Simon, the podcast delves into Jayne’s artistic vision, influences, and experiences that have shaped her career.
Whether you’re a die-hard country music enthusiast or simply curious about the stories behind the songs, this podcast provides an intimate look into the lives of artists like Jayne Denham.
So grab your headphones, tune in, and immerse yourself in the world of country music with Jayne Denham as your guide!
Caitlyn Shadbolt’s “Country Music Never Made More Sense” is her latest single release after a short break. Melanie Dyer, Sammy White, and Sarah Buckley form a formidable trio to join Caitlyn on the single, which is a playful tribute to country music. All of them, plus Camille Trail, contributed to the composition of the song during a girls’ songwriting weekend.
“’I got together with the girls for a writing weekend. We planned to be all professional and split into groups and write in the studio, but we ended up having a couple of wines and writing this song around the fire! I feel like this song is extra relevant right now as country music is cranking and it’s never made more sense!”
Caitlyn Shadbolt is a top songwriter and performer in Australia’s modern country music scene. With the help of ABC MUSIC, Caitlyn was able to release her first album, “Songs On My Sleeve” (May 2017), after reaching the finals of Season 6 of The ‘X Factor’ Australia (2014). The album debuted at number one on the ARIA Country Albums chart upon its release. For eight weeks running, the lead single “My Break Up Anthem” was the most played song on Country Radio, and it also topped the CountryTown National Airplay Chart, while the CMC Award for Best New Artist and a nomination for Female Artist of the Year were both given to Caitlyn in recognition of her accomplishments.
The Decemberists Return With New Album After Six Years
Jayne Denham Shares Her “Moonshine”
