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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.
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.
“In The Midnight Sky Alone” is the most recent album by soulful alt-country troubadour Rick Hart of Melbourne, Australia and the single “A Bird That Won’t Sing” is the new single from the album.
Rick Hart’s signature style is a melodically flowing, harmony-laden environment overlaid with the profound grief of his words and visuals. All of Hart’s tracks have the signature Americana and country sounds that make him unique. There is a noticeable amount of Wilco and The Jayhawks influence.
An emotionally charged story on the harsh truth of heartbreak. Everything that was once is gone, and with it comes an unwavering sense of regret and the knowledge that change is inevitable.
“Rick Hart writes and delivers beautiful country songs – they are thoughtful, poignant, heartbreaking and smart,” remarked legendary Australian musician and songwriter Lachlan Bryan of Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes and The Pleasures, who co-produced Hart’s third long play . “I wanted to work on this record because I already believed every word he sings, and after spending weeks in the studio with Rick and his guitar, I now KNOW them all to be true”
Early reviews of the album indicate it’s amazing reach and potential to appear on several year end top ten lists, even though we are not even at the halfway point yet.
Based on Michael George Smith’s review of the album ‘In The Midnight Sky Alone’ in Rhythms Magazine, “the songwriter that the record portrays is a storyteller of the heart.”
“You really should listen to this album in its entirety because, first, if you skip around, you’ll miss out on some of the characters and stories told throughout, and second, if you just listen to a couple of songs, you won’t get nearly the whole experience that this album offers. I get that we live in a singles-based culture, and I’ll admit that there are a number of tracks that would grab my attention if I only listened to the singles, but listening to the entire album has been incredibly rewarding.”
‘In The Midnight Sky Alone’ album review in RAGMAG
“Hart is a refreshing counterpart to the plethora of male singers who have gone awry of country tradition. Hart is a perfect antidote to whatever bro-hangover still looms over us and has the same refreshing appeal that Sam Outlaw’s debut album had”. For The Country Record
“This is impressive songwriting! The melodic aspects perfectly capture the emotional tone of the songs. The classic alt country/R&B musical aspects are brilliant. It’s a genuine pleasure to review this exceptionally high level of songwriting.“ The Great American Songwriting Contest
“With his deeply soulful voice, Rick Hart journeys to the heart of modern Americana-alt-country, where frankness, sadness and songs collide.” Greg Arnold (Things of Stone and Wood)
“I’ve worked with Rick Hart, and he’s a superb songwriter! Rick’s music is a unique combination of roots and country.” – Bill Chambers (Australian Country Music Icon) –
Jayne Denham Shares Her “Moonshine”
Caitlyn Shadbolt Returns With All Star Single
