Amber Lawrence and Casey Donovan Join Forces for “Rise”

Amber Lawrence has enlisted the help of Casey Donovan for her latest single “Rise”. Country and soul music seem like strange bedfellows, but these two distinctive voices complement one another perfectly.

“Rise is a powerhouse song vocally, and the inspiring lyric of this song was best shared with two voices, so I couldn’t have dreamed up anyone better to sing with than the amazing Casey Donovan,” Amber gushed. “She’s an incredible singer, artist, and person, and I’m just so proud of the musical moment we’ve achieved together with ‘Rise’”

Amber had a massive 2022, playing more than 80 shows, including Carols by Candlelight, Gympie Music Muster, and supporting Tony Hadley. Her album Living for the Highlights, which this single comes from, was also the highest selling album by a female country artist. 2023 is also starting big, with Amber recognised as female artist of the year at the recent Golden Guitar Awards. She’s also scheduled a whole lot of shows, so there are no shortage of places to see her play.

11 February 2023 – The Cobargo Show @ Cobargo Showground, Cubago/Cobargo (with Catherine Britt)
3 March 2023 – Milton Show @ Milton Showground, Budawang Country/Milton
4 March 2023 – Country by the Bay, Bunurong Country/Frankston
10 March 2023 – Sandigo Hall, Wiradjuri Country/Sandigo (with Paul Costa)
11 March 2023 – Stock Route Country Music Festival @ Lazy River Estate, Tubbagah Country/Dubbo
19 March 2023 – Meatstock Melbourne, Naarm/Melbourne
25 March 2023 – Club Forbes, Wiradjuri Country/Forbes
26 March 2023 – Sunset Bash @ Penrith Panthers, Darug Country/Penrith
15 April 2023 – Meatstock Toowoomba, Jagera, Giabal and Jarowair Country/Toowomba
7 May 2023 – Meatstock Sydney, Eora/Sydney
10 May 2023 – Cardinia Cultural Centre, Naarm/Melbourne
11 June 2023 – The Oaks Hotel, Dharawal Country/The Oaks (with Luke O’Shea)
18 June 2023 – Camden Hotel, Benkennie/Camden (with Luke O’Shea)
5-12 August 2023 – Tunes in the Tropics, Fiji
23 September 2023 – Arco Bar, Bunurong Country/Heatherton
1-8 December 2023 – Cruisin’ Country

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Nigel Wearne and Lauren Housley Release Brilliant Duet “To the Edge”

Victorian singer-songwriter Nigel Wearne has teamed up with UK songstress Lauren Housley for “To the Edge,” one of the coolest duets I’ve heard in some time. When I say cool, I mean cool. Smoky bars in the American Wild West kind of cool. Americana with a hint of jazz kind of cool. Horns, minor keys, and just the right amount of tension kind of cool. Just listen and you’ll hear what I mean.

The pair met in early 2019 at the Arts Café in Montreal when they were both in town for the Folk Alliance International. With a mutual respect for John Prine and some dry witty banter, they became firm friends. After reconnecting in New Orleans in early 2020, they began working together remotely during the pandemic and this fantastic song was born.

Nigel has a couple more Victorian dates before he flies out to the United Kingdom to play shows with Lauren. UK music lovers, you are in for a treat! Then he’ll jet to the US for the Folk Alliance International showcase MerleFest, the country’s top roots festival. Here are all the dates you need:

10 December 2022 – Odessa at Leaver’s Hotel, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Creswick
11 December 2022 – Union Hotel Brunswick, Bulleke-bek/Brunswick
13 January 2023 – West End Centre, Aldershot (Lauren Housley)
14 January 2023 – Chapel Arts, Bath (Lauren Housley)
15 January 2023 – Edge of The Wedge, Portsmouth (Lauren Housley)
17 January 2023 – The Witham, Barnard Castle (Lauren Housley)
18 January 2023 – The Crescent, York (Lauren Housley)
19 January 2023 – The Met, Bury (Lauren Housley)
20 January 2023 – Philharmonic, Liverpool (Lauren Housley)
21 January 2023 – Alder Bar, Sheffield (Lauren Housley)
22 January 2023 – The Hive, Shrewsbury (Lauren Housley)
24–25 January 2023 – OFFICIAL SHOWCASE UK Americana Music Week, London
27 January 2023 – The Stables, Milton Keynes (Lauren Housley)
28 January 2023 – Thimblemill Library, Birmingham (Lauren Housley)
2-5 February 2023 – Folk Alliance Showcase, Kansas City
27-30 April 2023 – MerleFest USA, Wilkesboro

Image used with permission from I Hear Django; credit: Ian Laidlaw

Paulini and Bradley McCaw Team Up For “Someone Like You”

I am a sucker for a great country duet. I don’t consider myself much of a country music fan, but put on a little Kenny and Dolly or Johnny and June and I’m all about it. The cheesier the better. So I’m totally smitten with “Someone Like You,” the brand new single from Bradley McCaw and Paulini. Sure it’s a little formulaic, but there’s no point reinventing the wheel. With stellar vocals and romantic sentiments, there’s a lot to like here.

“Paulini’s vocal is effortless. There’s a power and a playfulness that takes the song to a new place. It’s a positive love song, with is kind of rare for modern radio,” Bradley said. “Inspired by all the old school duets I have sung along to in my car!”

He originally wrote the song for one male singer but left the song unfinished for nearly a year until he realised what was missing. This needed to be a duet.
“We recorded the vocals in one session using two microphones, side by side in the one studio. It was very old school and because of this, we captured an innocence and joy in the performances,” he added. “Duets just have a different energy, combining two artists from different genres at the top of their game, and that sends the song into unexpected places.”

This is a total throwback, but I’m just optimistic enough to think it might inspire a revival. We can only hope!

Image used with permission from Bradley McCaw

Melinda Schneider Duets with Paul Kelly

Melinda Schneider has a new fan in Aussie singer-songwriter Paul Kelly. Paul was so impressed with a demo version of one of Melinda’s new songs, he agreed to sing it on her latest album.

The unlikely duo met by chance in Coogee.

“I was snorkelling at Coogee Beach and got up and out of the water, and there was Paul Kelly sitting on a rock,” Melinda told The Sunday Telegraph.

The pair got to chatting, so Melinda decided to send Paul a copy of her song “Still Here.” He loved it so much, they decided to record it together at his Melbourne home.

“I love his vocals on it,” she gushed. “The intimacy of it is really beautiful on that track.”

Melinda will launch her latest album, Be Yourself, at Sydney’s City Tattersalls Club on Thursday. It will hit stores on 5 July.

Image sources: Melinda Schneider MySpace and RattyPussFACE @ Wikimedia Commons