Mark Johnson

AUK’s Chain Gang: Nick Lowe “Cruel To Be Kind”

February 17, 2020 Mark Johnson 0

More cruelty this week, from Americana royalty Nick Lowe, but from over four decades ago, when this was always on TOTP and it was seen as power pop. Endless chains could come from this, bands – […]

Cave Flowers “Cave Flowers” (Hard Bark Records, 2020)

February 14, 2020 Mark Johnson 0

Opening your first album, first track with the classic one beat drum thump straight into a fast guitar lick may be generic, but it’s a surefire announcement of arrival and intent, and done as well as […]

Elijah Ocean “Back To The Lander” (New Wheel Music, 2019)

February 5, 2020 Mark Johnson 0

From sea to shining sea, Elijah Ocean certainly thinks America is beautiful. Also poignant and filled with as much longing as hope. For his ninth album he takes a different direction, and reflects on the country […]

Drew Danburry “Danburry 2003 – 2018” (Independent, 2019)

December 10, 2019 Mark Johnson 0

When a super prolific songwriter has to cull their catalogue for a career compilation, leaving most of their carefully fashioned pieces on an effective second class pile, it must irk. Drew Danburry’s task of reducing his […]

Anthony D’Amato “Five Songs From New Orleans” EP (Elk, 2019)

November 28, 2019 Mark Johnson 0

A true ‘does what it says on the tin’ record, this EP comes steeped in the sounds and spirit of The Big Easy. New Jersey native Anthony D’Amato is one of those artists that always seem […]

RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Rosanne Cash - The River & the Thread (vinyl) Jes...
By Peter Thompson , 4 hours ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Drive-By Truckers - Pizza Deliverance
By Joe Nathan , 4 hours ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Guy Clark - Keepers
By Joe Nathan , 8 hours ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Jerry Jeff Walker - Cowboy Boots and Bathin’ Suits
By Joe Nathan , 1 day ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Jimmy Buffett - A1A
By Joe Nathan , 1 day ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Chris Knight - Chris Knight
By Joe Nathan , 3 days ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Hurray for the Riff Raff - Live Forever
By Joe Nathan , 4 days ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Old 97s - Too Far to Care
By Joe Nathan , 4 days ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
R.E.M. - New Adventures in Hi-Fi
By Joe Nathan , 4 days ago

Luke Winslow-King “Coast of Light”

March 24, 2026 0

An impressive blues-influenced mixture of laid-back and edgier numbers. Coast of Light is Luke Winslow-King’s ninth album after having debuted with Luke Winslow-King in 2008. It is a bit of an outlier from many of the […]

Live Review: Beans On Toast + Ruth Lyon + Bassie Gracie, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham – 11th March 2026

March 24, 2026 0

The night opened with Bassie Gracie, a bold spoken word poet grounded in hope, proclaiming that making art can be the remedy to worry. This Celtic-and-proud waif delivered rhythmic anti-racism with barely veiled anger at the […]

artwork for The Montvales album "Path Of Totality"

The Montvales “Path Of Totality”

March 24, 2026 0

Folk-tinged harmonies and sophisticated indie-pop for turbulent times. Sally Buice and Molly Rochelson are originally from Knoxville, Tennessee – together they make up The Montvales. During their middle school years, the duo started out by busking […]

Articles by Mark Johnson

AUK’s Chain Gang: Nick Lowe “Cruel To Be Kind”

Cave Flowers “Cave Flowers” (Hard Bark Records, 2020)

Elijah Ocean “Back To The Lander” (New Wheel Music, 2019)

Drew Danburry “Danburry 2003 – 2018” (Independent, 2019)

Anthony D’Amato “Five Songs From New Orleans” EP (Elk, 2019)

Luke Winslow-King “Coast of Light”

Live Review: Beans On Toast + Ruth Lyon + Bassie Gracie, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham – 11th March 2026

The Montvales “Path Of Totality”

Pat Carter and Luis de Cicco hit the road to promote new live album

Andy Thomas “Highway Junkie”