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The Journey Of Jordie Lane
For years, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jordie Lane—who was born in Australia—has been a major player in the business. Renowned for his distinctive mix of Americana, folk, and rock, Lane has enthralled listeners all around with his musical ability and narrative skill. With the release of his most recent album “Tropical Depression”, Jordie Lane is at a turning point in his career. After spending some time talking with the artist recently about the creation of “Tropical Depression,” its themes, and the effects it has had on Lane and his listeners, it’s time we shared insights from our interview and our thoughts on the tremendous new album.
Made in Nashville, “Tropical Depression” is a testament of Lane’s artistic development, further supported by his ability to assemble a trifecta of key behind the scenes people who have supported him in pulling this album together the right way. With Grammy nominated producer, engineer and instrumentalist Jon Estes (Kacey Musgraves, Dolly Parton, Rodney Crowell) producing the album, the mixing by iconic engineer Noah Georgeson (The Strokes, Devandra Banhart, Marlon Williams) and mastered by Juno Award winning Phillip Shaw Bova (Feist, Father John Misty, Angel Olsen, Bahamas). While the mixing and engineering from Georgeson and Shaw respectively embrace the artists songs like a hand holding a glass of whiskey, fusing genres and sounds together in a sublime harmony that is this album, it is Estes’s influence in the polished but raw sound of the album, which perfectly complements Lane’s introspective lyrics.
Talking with Jordie Lane on a recent trip back to Australia, he openly discussed that he had difficulties along the way in producing “Tropical Depression”, as the title of the album pays homage to Lane’s personal battles with mental health and his obsession with severe storms, while the tone of the album reflects this duality—between quiet introspection and strong emotional outburst.
Discussing deeply intimate and ideas of mental health during our interview, Lane demonstrates a beautiful resilience, and a sublime human condition, discussing with me how “Tropical Depression” songs invite listeners into his world by their honest and vulnerable quality. Listening to the album after the interview, I immediately start with the eerie rhythm and thoughtful lyrics of the first song on the album, “Back, Out There,” which sets the tone, before songs like “The Changing Weather” and “Empty Room” probe Lane’s experiences with anxiety and depression.
“Friends” a moving meditation on the value of personal connection throughout trying circumstances, is among the album’s best tunes. The straightforward but strong words of the song will surely appeal to listeners and serve as a reminder of the power contained in relationships, whilst “Blame Me If You Want To,” another noteworthy song, highlights Lane’s skill in fusing comedy and sarcasm with a sobering topic. This is the Jordie Lane who I first met several years ago in Nashville and was immediately taken in by his wit and lighthearted take, not just on music, but life in general. It’s fantastic to know that this side of this diverse artist is still as strong as ever.
With influences ranging from Bob Dylan to Neil Young, Lane’s musical approach is a singular mix of Americana, folk, and rock. “Tropical Depression” sees Lane stretching the boundaries of his genre by experimenting with novel sounds and arrangements. Rich vocal harmonies, ambient synths, and deft guitar work abound on the luxuriant and multifaceted record.
The way “Tropical Depression” uses its music to portray a broad spectrum of feelings is among its most arresting features. Songs like “New Normal” and “Been Lucky” are more lively and uplifting; tracks like “It Might Take Our Whole Lives” and “Internal Dialogue” are pensive and sad. This vibrant spectrum is evidence of Lane’s adaptability as a performer and lyricist.
A few weeks since it’s release, both fans and critics have praised “Tropical Depression” extensively since its premiere. The album has drawn compliments for its emotional resonance, musical complexity, and literary profundity, further complimented by the early shows on his current Australian tour, during which time “Tropical Depression” debuted at #1 on the Aria Country Albums chart.
In Lane’s career, “Tropical Depression” represents a turning point both creatively and monetarily. The popularity of the record has opened Lane to new opportunities that have resulted in publicised partnerships and appearances, including securing a label deal from ABC Music/The Orchard for this album (see below for the best signing of a contract ever!). Lane has a devoted following and earns critical praise since he can relate to listeners on a very personal level and that the industry now understands this is further validation, not just for the artist but for the long time supporters of his music.
Apart from its critical and chart triumphs, “Tropical Depression” has significantly affected Lane’s personal life as well. Making the record let Lane face and sort his own mental health issues, which helped him to find fresh clarity and direction. The songs and general tone of the album clearly showcase this personal development since they express hope and resiliency.
Set against rich, evocative soundscapes, Jordie Lane’s “Tropical Depression” is a remarkable investigation of the human psyche. Among Lane’s albums, this one stands out for its reflective lyrics and dramatic range. As Lane develops as an artist, “Tropical Depression” attests to his skill and commitment. The popularity of the album is a testament of Lane’s capacity to establish a connection with his audience by means of his music, therefore influencing his career as well as rewarding his listeners.
Catch Jordie Lane on the final leg of his East Coast Tropical Depression tour this week, before he returns to tour the rest of Australia in Oct/Nov:
| September 5 – Qirkz, Hunter Valley NSW |
| September 6 – LA LA LA’s, Wollongong NSW |
| September 7 – The Trocadero Room, Enmore NSW |
| September 8 – The Standard Hotel, Fitzroy VIC |
Global superstar Luke Combs is heading back to Australia and New Zealand in January and February 2025 and is set to break records as the first country artist to headline a full stadium tour down under.
Playing eight huge shows across Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, the multi-platinum, award-winning singer-songwriter will be joined by Stateside icons Jordan Davis and Mitchell Tenpenny, along with local legend Lane Pittman, who supported Combs on his 2023 Australian tour. The explosive stadium show will be one of epic proportions, the likes of which have never been seen in Australia and New Zealand.
Bootleggers presale tickets will be available from Monday 23 September, while Frontier Members can access presale tickets on Tuesday 24 September, scroll down for timings. For more information, head to frontiertouring.com/lukecombs
Luke Combs’ upcoming tour is the latest milestone in an already monumental career, which last week saw him scoop up nominations for Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (Fathers & Sons) and the coveted Entertainer of the Year (which he won in 2021 and 2022), at this year’s CMA Awards.
Local audiences have well and truly embraced Combs, evidenced with Sydney and Brisbane amongst Luke’s Top 4 global streaming cities on Spotify, and with ARIA 3x Platinum album This One’s For You, and the chart-topping 2x Platinum What You See Ain’t Always What You Get. On his fourth headline Australian tour, Combs’ will cement his unparalleled trajectory, progressing from intimate theatres to stadiums in just five short years.
Released in June, Combs’ Fathers & Sons album is a collection of twelve poignant tracks featuring his most personal songwriting to date. Recorded entirely live, the album sees Combs reflect on his own experiences being a dad to his two sons and the unique bond between parents and their children, and features lead single ‘The Man He Sees In Me’.
Critical acclaim for Fathers & Sons —
“he’s going beyond the country realm now and really has become a pop star, a global popstar” – NPR Music
“filled with unexpected warmth and vulnerability…a perfect match for Mr. Combs’s warm and engaging style.” – The Wall Street Journal
The record adds yet another landmark for Combs, whose hit radio single ‘Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma’ featured on the soundtrack for the new Twisters movie and is the subject of a new exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Entitled Luke Combs: The Man I Am, the exhibit features a variety of photographs, childhood memorabilia, instruments, set lists and more from throughout Combs’ life and career.
Earlier this year, Combs performed an unforgettable duet of ‘Fast Car’ with Tracy Chapman during the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards, which Rolling Stone called “one of the all-time best collaborative performances in Grammy history.” The performance added to a massive year for ‘Fast Car’, as Combs’ version of the song won Single of the Year at the 2024 ACM Awards and 2023 CMA Awards (with Chapman winning Song of the Year). It also spent five-consecutive weeks atop Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and reached No.1 on the Hot AC Chart, the first song by a male solo artist to ever top both. The 2x Platinum single, which has garnered over 1.1 billion global streams to date, also spent eighteen weeks in the Top 5 of Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 chart, eight of which were spent at No.2.
Returning down under after making their Australian debuts at CMC Rocks QLD in 2023, both Jordan Davis and Mitchell Tenpenny will bring the heat to stadiums in 2025.
Award-winning, multi-platinum singer/songwriter Jordan Davis is known for his Platinum-selling albums Homestate and Bluebird Days as well as his CMA and ACM winning Song of the Year hits and numerous No.1s, including ‘Next Thing You Know’, ‘Buy Dirt’, ‘What My World Spins Around’, ‘Tucson Too Late’, ‘Singles You Up’, ‘Take It From Me’ and ‘Slow Dance In A Parking Lot’. Having secured wins for Best New Country Artist at the iHeartRadio Music Awards (2019) and Billboard’s Top New Country Artist of 2018, he has gone on to be nominated for ACM New Male and Male of the Year and is the current reigning ACM Song of the Year winner for ‘Next Thing You Know’. Currently at work on his new album, Davis recently released ‘I Ain’t Sayin’, the first single off his upcoming project.
A multi-faceted entertainer, Mitchell Tenpenny is a singer, songwriter, producer and performer. Since the release of his debut 3x Platinum No.1 single ‘Drunk Me’, Tenpenny has surpassed 2.1 billion global streams and continues to set the standard for breakout success in country music. His new studio album The 3rd is released tomorrow.
At just eighteen years of age, Tamworth’s Lane Pittman is quickly making an impact in Australian country music. Rising to fame as his debut EP leapt to No.1 on the ARIA Australian Country Album Charts, Pittman has performed on some of the country’s biggest stages, joining Luke Combs on his 2023 tour of Australia and New Zealand.
One of music’s most captivating live performers, tickets to Luke Combs’ last tour of Australia and New Zealand sold out in minutes. Don’t miss out – these shows will sell fast, so make sure you get in quickly!
I Don’t Get Mad, I Get Even is the latest burning single from rising country star, Katie Jayne, out now through indie country label, RTC Records.
Hold on to your hats, Katie Jayne is back with a hot new country single to get you fired up for summer. I Don’t Get Mad, I Get Even keeps building from start to finish as the stakes get higher and the revenge even sweeter. Enlisting Nashville’s Tim Crouch on fiddle and mandolin, in lieu of the traditional lead guitar, this country track builds into a frenzy with no relief in sight.
Written with Aussie country legend, Troy Kemp, and produced by Jared Adlam, Katie is cementing herself as one to watch in the rise of country music in Australia.
Of the track, Katie says, “I love the energy in this song, the room felt electric when we wrote this and that same energy was expertly captured in the studio with Jared. It’s the sequel to Carrie Underwood’s Before He Cheats. He should have listened to her song first!”
Based in the Hunter Valley, country artist, Katie Jayne is best known for her fun, high energy band performances and authentic social media presence. Her soulful voice, unforgettable melodies, and magnetic stage presence, combined with her band’s exceptional musicianship, will leave you wanting more!
A champion of women, her songs lead the listener on a journey of girl power style sass through to a vulnerable relatability. Exploring an autobiographical writing style, Katie writes songs for girls just like her while drawing inspiration from the likes of Miranda Lambert, The Chicks and Dolly Parton.
A popular act in Honky Tonks in NSW and QLD, Katie is powering on playing live shows and releasing more music than ever before. Coupled with her ever growing popularity on social media, Katie is dominating on short form video platforms and quickly making a name for herself as one to watch out for in 2024.
Katie also presents The Cruze with Katie, weekdays from 1 to 6pm on 2NM in Muswellbrook.
Saddle up for three nights of original songs, stories, and grooves with a triple bill of country and psychedelic rock on the “Outback Tour”.
Three original acts from regional NSW were chosen from hundreds of applicants, to bring their songs and stories to the far west, in a tour curated by MusicNSW. These amazing artists are set to share their passion for music and love of performing, so let’s take a moment to shine the light on each of them before you pencil a date into your calendar for October.
Megan Woods came bursting onto the scene in May 2022 with her debut single “Shirt On The Floor,” and swiftly garnered attention, clinching two prestigious awards at the Dotted Eight Music Awards later that year. Her newest release “Shattering the Silence” is a moving, thoughtful country classic.
Baeden Faint, from the great town of Cobar, draws inspiration from artists like Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers and Colter Wall, making real music that is raw and honest. His tendency to ramble the countryside has led him to several unlikely songwriting locations.
“I’ve played guitar and written songs everywhere. On a coastal cliff face, top of a misty mountain, waterfalls, island in the middle of a creek, camped out under an old corry shelter in the middle of nowhere, on the edge of the Simpson desert.”
Every little detail in Baeden’s life contributes to his stunning lyricism – his words resonate with honesty and authenticity because he’s truly lived them.
Liquid Culture (Bathurst) – a cocktail blend of psychedelic grooves, alternate riffs, and distinctive melodies – drawing inspiration from iconic bands such as Pink Floyd, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Fleetwood Mac, they share a passion for creating music that solidifies their own sound and speaks to the human experience. Their latest single “Lysergic Lavender” takes on a bluesy, almost reggae turn. They are the soundtrack of great nights out and the perfect road trip vibe.
This tour has been possible with support from MusicNSW, Bush Witch Productions, Create NSW, The Palace Hotel Broken Hill, Wilcannia Golf Club, and Cobar Golf Club.
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