Jonathan Smith

Ben Vallee “Introducing…”

June 28, 2024 Jonathan Smith 0

Joyously classic country debut sets teeth grinning. The scene is set within the opening seconds of Ben Valley’s first record – a fiddle scratches the most classic of opening notes, and then what sounds like the […]

For the Sake of the Song: Steve Earle “Fort Worth Blues”

June 24, 2024 Jonathan Smith 0

Steve Earle described El Corazon’, his seventh album, as “bigger than me and faster than me”. He was certainly hitting a rich and varied seam of songwriting form, although it could be argued that Earle has […]

Blair Dunlop “Out of the Rain”

May 29, 2024 Jonathan Smith 1

A bright new slice of UK-born Americana. ‘Out of the Rain’ is Blair Dunlop’s fifth album, but the first since 2018’s poignant, somewhat downbeat ‘Notes From an Island’. As such, the new offering appears distinctly more […]

Charm of Finches “Marlinchen in the Snow”

May 15, 2024 Jonathan Smith 0

Heady, ethereal chamber folk from Australian sibling duo. Charm of Finches are an Australian duo comprising sisters Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes, and ‘Marlinchen in the Snow’ is their fourth album release. Recorded in Nova Scotia, Canada, […]

Jake Sheppard “Midwest Marlin”

May 2, 2024 Jonathan Smith 1

A new original from the other side of Los Angeles. Here’s the funny thing about people; they often say they crave something different, but in reality, they want something that is actually a marginally changed version […]