Category: 1/2/3/4

Yes, people are excited about the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but the goal of 1/2/3/4 is to hook you up with fantastic music! Luckily, one of those songs is the excellent ode to the Socceroos from Melbourne band Last Leaves. This jangly pop gem comes from a group that rose from the ashes of the marvellous Lucksmiths. As well, the gorgeous haunting debut release from Juliana Daugherty, an unlikely duo of two highly regarded Americana rockers in Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Glenmore , plus a double bouncy dose of Post-Punk from Lithics and Nylex.

If ever a record label was aptly named, it’s WonderfulSound from London. I’ve been really impressed with their releases over the last couple of years, with excellent offerings from Nev Cottee, John Stammers, Colorama and Angelina – just to name a few. The new album from RW Hedges is on par and an absolute cracker. As well, the hypnotic Etran De LÁir, one of the best known and longest playing groups in Niger and Melbourne singer-songwriter Clio’s unleashes her stunning debut EP.

The John Flanagan Trio have released a great collection of tunes with their latest release, Honest Man. This program was to have featured a live session and a big long chat, but sadly a spanner in the works out a stop to it. It doesn’t detract from the fact that it’s a great release, you’ll hear a track and I’ll share a story of our encounter. As well, a fantastic young group from Tasmania with lush pop leanings in Little Island and the return of country songwriting great Jim Lauderdale. Plus a dash of folk, blues and psych!

Emily Davis is a singer/song-writer from Adelaide who has just released her new album – You, Me and The Velvet Sea. It’s a deeply personal album that reflects entirely on love, in all of its incarnations. After a dramatic end to a long-term relationship she threw herself into deep contemplation of the meaning of love, and in doing so found these songs and herself. She pops in for a quick chat and performance. As well, great new releases from Luluc and Pascal Babare.

Tennyson King is a international touring act from Hong Kong and Canada, a lover of travel, stories and sharing music. He loves coming to Australia and performing not only in capital cities, but in small country towns right around the country. He popped in for a chat and performance during his last tour. As well, new music from Davey Craddock and Emily Davis.

Featuring the plucked strings and lush vocal harmonies of Diamond Duck, stunning chamber folk from Melbourne’s Vanderlay and Cat Canteri returns with a soulful and mature new album that has had the critics raving. It’s also a favourite of mine. Plus Mindy Sotiri, Tina Harrod and `John Flanagan Trio.

It’s our 50th episode! Does size matter? I prefer quality over quantity, but this street art in Athens caught my eye. We feature some excellent new music from The Hanging Stars, Jaala, Tom Richardson, Half Waif, Hannah Cameron and much more.

On this edition of 1/2/3/4 some excellent folk music from Salt House and Luke Plumb plus the dynamic duo This Way North pop in mid tour to share a song from their recent EP, Vol.2

UK guitarist Newton Faulkner burst onto the scene in 2007 with huge success – his debut album Hand Built By Robots achieved platinum and double platinum sales in Australia and the UK respectively. He joins us after touring the country of the back of his performance at Bluesfest this year, to talk about his sixth self released album, Hit The Ground Running. As well, some stunning new Australia releases from Cowboys of Love, Catherine McQuade and Coda Chroma.

I remember the day Susie Scurry sent me one of the best anti-promotional efforts ever. A handwritten letter on a scrap of A4 wrapped around a CDR, she asked if I’d listen to her song with a view to giving it radio play. The moment I heard the track ‘Pinky Blues’ (credited then as The Grand Magoozi) – I thought I was time travelling to the 1950’s – it was a gorgeous tune about an illicit affair. I played that track more than any other in my tenure on the Inside Sleeve. Since then Susie released her excellent debut LP and now is ready to launch her new EP, The Elvis Hour. We’ll hear the first single from it plus excellent new music from Dos Santos, Ralegh Long and 77:78. As well, two exclusive studio sessions from Charm of Finches and James Kenyon.

We start this edition with a punchy rootsy slice of rock from Katy Guillen & The Girls, who take cues from guitar behemoths like Jimi Hendrix plus visionary songwriters like Patty Griffin, exploring blues, country and folk and the excellent new solo release from Jamie Hutchings, who began his career with the much-loved Bluebottle Kiss as well as establishing himself with four solo releases, two albums with the ‘heavy’ Infinity Broke and a brilliant collaboration with Peter Fenton as The Tall Grass. Bedsit, recorded in a shearing shed in rural NSW, is a very personal record and one you need to listen to.

We shine a light on the excellent “We Are The Wildlife” from Brona McVittie, an Irish Harpist with a divine voice who takes us on a psycho-geographic journey through traditional folk with electronic flourishes and subtle atmospherics. I’ll chat about probably my favourite WOMADelaide yet with Pimpod subscriber Andy and we delve into the build up of excellent new releases from Kim Richey, Marlon Williams and Ryley Walker.