Sunburnt Country Music

When reviewing Troy Cassar-Daley’s last album, The World Today (2021), I compared him to Orpheus, going to the Underworld in search of his wife, Eurydice, who had been taken there by Hades. But after going into the darkness to find what he was looking for then turning back at the point of rescue only to see Eurydice disappear – as the myth has it – Cassar-Daley as Orpheus turned his face forwards and stepped into the light, as complicated as the path ahead was. ‘Troy Cassar-Daley has long been a beacon in our culture,’ I wrote then, ‘for his songs and the way he delivers them. With this album he takes on not mythic status, because he’s still with us, but he becomes, perhaps, a warrior for the people. Out of his darkness we can find light, and the only thing left to say to him is “thank you”.’ That album remains as one of its creator’s very best, and a classic by many measures. It seemed unlikely that he could better it, for how would he find a deeper well to draw on, how much further could he go into the darkness and, to balance, how much light would he discover on his return? The answer has arrived in the form of his new album, Between the Fires, which is an epic work of love, loss, water, fire and smoke, of country and connection, written almost entirely by Cassar-Daley alone in the wake of the death of his mother, then recorded in her home. The depth of Cassar-Daley’s sorrow is soaked into this album, as is his resolution to find light once again. He growls, he rails, he ponders the past and looks to construct a future that may not have included his wife, Laurel, as they went through a separation around the same time, which is also part of the fabric of this album. Most of all, though, he pays tribute to his mother, and we are shown – more than we are told – how much of a man she helped to make him. For the work done there is his too, and the unforgettable resolution of the album, ‘Moving On’, is his alone. There is a verse in the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra, a revealed text of Kashmir Shaivism, that goes: Live continuously for a few days in the meditation, ‘I am immersed in the flame, The flame of life, the flame of love, the flame of time. The universal fire flows through me.’ Step into that fire fully, wholeheartedly, Starting with the toe of the left foot – And then surrendering everywhere. Only the not-self, which doesn’t exist anyway, Is burned. (Verse 29, translation by Lorin Roche) Between the Fires documents Troy Cassar-Daley’s burning of the not-self and consequent revelation of the self. Through the fire of grief and change we are able to see the man as he is now and was always meant to be. There is so much bravery required to step into this flame and to go on afterwards, let alone present what remains to the world. For more about Troy Cassar-Daley: https://troycassardaley.com.au/ Listen to Between the Fires on Apple Music Listen to Between the Fires on Spotify Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits are a Melbourne duo who released their debut album, Southlands, in 2017 and have just released their latest album, the gloriously entertaining and thought-provoking Say What You Mean. The longtime friends and collaborators started their performing life in punk bands over a decade ago in their hometown of Adelaide before forming Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits, with Hana on vocals and Jessie-Lee on guitar, in 2014. The catalyst was a batch of country-tinged songs written by Hana. Jessie-Lee helped flesh out arrangements, and they then played a month-long residency at Adelaide's Crown & Anchor Hotel to cement the new formation. Over the next few years, Hana and Jessie-Lee continued evolving their sound while playing live extensively. It was the isolation of pandemic lockdowns that inspired Hana to write a new collection of songs which have now become Say What You Mean. In this interview we talked about their creative collaboration, their musical influences and songwriting process – and what bad habits might have prompted the band name. For more about Hana & Jessie-Lee's Bad Habits: https://hanaandjessielee.com/ Listen to Say What You Mean on Apple Music Listen to Say What You Mean on Spotify Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Instagram Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tori Forsyth released her Golden Guitar-nominated debut album Dawn of the Dark in 2018 then followed it up with rock album Provlépseis in 2021. She now has a new country music album, All We Have is Who We Are. The album was created after Forsyth decided that if she didn’t love the process of making music, she’d walk away. Around the same time the pandemic led to her once more living on the land, where she found herself grounded, both literally and creatively. The combination freed her to make an album that not only allowed her to tap back into the joy that initially drew her to music but which sounds like it. On All We Have is Who We Are Forsyth is by turns earthy and ethereal, wild and circumspect, thoughtful and unconstrained. The album is a story arc that documents how she arrived at where she is - how all she has is who she is. And our conversation about it was as rich, interesting and inspiring as the album itself. Forsyth has some live dates coming up, and having seen her place a showcase in Sydney last year I can attest that she is very much worth seeing live. MAY 17 SYDNEY - THE VANGUARD - Tickets w. Chloe Gill, Piper Butcher MAY 18 NEWCASTLE - STAG AND HUNTER - Tickets w. Chloe Gill MAY 23 MELBOURNE - THE TOTE - Tickets w. Jay Santilli MAY 26 SUNSHINE COAST - SOL BAR - Tickets w. Piper Rodrigues and Tyla Piper Rodrigues For more about Tori Forsyth: https://www.toriforsyth.com/ Listen to All We Have is Who We Are on Apple Music Listen to All We Have is Who We Are on Spotify Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Instagram Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Matt Joe Gow & Kerryn Fields project falls into the category of ‘high risk’: two artists with solo careers that have seen them win audiences, acclaim and awards, with potentially nothing to gain from a collaboration. After all, if something ain’t broke, why fix it? What they have fixed on, though, is interesting and compelling work that draws on their individual talents and strengths to make something new and different to what they have created individually. What was apparent on their singles ‘Your Heart of Gold’, ‘Love Ya Like I Can’ and ‘No Trace’ is now evident on their album, I Remember You: they have brought their talents and strengths as artists and openness – vulnerabilities, if you prefer – as individuals and created something unique, rich and stunning. The collaboration has required them both to set aside any expectations they have for their solo work and start afresh with each other. It could only have worked if they did not demand any more of the other than they demanded of themselves. The proof is in the ten tracks on the album, each different to each other just as Joe Gow and Fields are different to each other, but united in the common cause of telling a story of life, loss and love, of what home means and where to find it. Throughout these songs the duo also provide proof, over and over again, that for as much as they have great strengths as songwriters they are also extraordinary singers. Listen no further than to Joe Gow on ‘Carry On’ and Fields on ‘Here I’ll Be’ for that proof, but you’ll want to listen to it all, over and over again, and find yourself entranced. So, in the end, this high-risk project is, in fact, high-risk and high-reward – the reward being for them as the creators and us as the listeners. And I spoke to them both about the project in this interview. https://mattjoegowmusic.com/ https://www.kerrynfields.com/ Listen to I Remember You on Apple Music Listen to I Remember You on Spotify Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Instagram Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jade Gibson is a singer and songwriter from Victoria who was a Grand Finalist in Toyota Star Maker in 2022 and has played at several large festivals. In 2019 her debut EP The Great Unknown went to number 1 on the iTunes Country chart and she has released several successful singles since. Her brand new single is ‘Down the Road’. The song holds special meaning for Gibson as it's her first song inspired by her partner of five years, whom she met when she was 21 even though they grew up 20 minutes apart in regional Victoria. The song captures a feeling of love coming when you least expect it, and was recorded with Melbourne production duo MSquared, who she has worked closely with over the past two years. The music video was made by Jake Davey and features Home and Away star Kyle Shilling. Gibson has been a performer from a young age, playing local pubs and rodeos at 14 before getting discovered at a small gig and being asked to play B&S balls. She also spent time in Nashville before returning to Australia at the start of the pandemic. Gibson is an astute artist who is constantly working on her craft, and it was a pleasure to talk to her about all of this and more. For more information on Jade Gibson: https://jadegibson.com/ Listen to 'Down the Road' on Apple Music Listen to 'Down the Road' on Spotify Watch the video for 'Down the Road' Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Instagram Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kylie Gale is a singer-songwriter from New South Wales who released the EP Upside in 2021. While working as a teacher and raising four children, Gale has carved out time to nurture her songwriting craft. This dedication led to the 2021 release of her debut EP Upside. Gale’s musical talents first emerged in primary school, where she began guitar lessons. However, it wasn’t until high school when her music teacher encouraged her to take voice lessons that she discovered her love of singing. As her children have grown up, Gale has been able to invest more time into songwriting. Her latest single is the deeply personal single ‘Nobody Knows Me Like You Do’, written with in-demand co-writer Billie-Jo Porter and recorded with producer Simon Johnson at Hillbilly Hut. The song explores the understanding and support Gale shares with her husband of 22 years. And Gale has plans to release more singles leading up to a full album in 2024. During our recent chat Gale’s passion for and perseverance in music while balancing life’s other responsibilities were clear – and inspirational as we spoke about her musical influences, creative process, and hopes for the future. For more information on Kylie Gale: https://www.kyliegale.com/ Listen to Kylie Gale on Apple Music Listen to Kylie Gale on Spotify Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rebecca Jane Howell and Marty Mckenna are friends from Central Victoria who have been singing together for over a decade. Rebecca honed her instinct for harmony through years spent in the Australian Girls Choir and Marty grew up singing to the sheep on his family farm, with his dad, where he still tends the flock to this day. As Valley Road the duo released their wonderful self-titled debut album towards the end of last year. It was produced by Rod McCormack after Valley Road were awarded the Troubadour Foundation prize. Whether live or recorded, Howell and Mckenna have a synergy as writers and performers in a partnership of true equals. Each knows how to support each other in song, and accordingly bring out the best in each other. The result is songs that are elegant, nuanced and strong, covering the whole of life from birth to death, and love for the natural world. For more information about Valley Road: https://valleyroadduo.com.au/ Listen to Valley Road on Apple Music Listen to Valley Road on Spotify Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Instagram Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Known for her powerful vocals and catchy melodies, Cassidy-Rae recently returned to Australian shores after a stint performing four-hour shows on cruise ships - shows at which she had her own fangirls. She's also very much a fangirl of other artists, so she is perfectly qualified to write and release her latest single, 'Fangirl'. During our recent interview, Cassidy-Rae offers a glimpse into her high-energy performances and the immersive nature of her shows as well as her creative process, which includes collaborating with producers MSquared in Melbourne to make 'Fangirl' and her other recent single, 'One More Song'. Looking ahead, Cassidy-Rae previews plans to launch a national tour in Australia and promises that there are more new tunes coming down the pipeline. For more about Cassidy-Rae: https://cassidy-rae.com/ Listen to 'Fangirl' on Apple Music Listen to 'Fangirl' on Spotify Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Instagram Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Donovan is well known to Australian audiences from her bands Emma Donovan and The Putbacks (which I managed to call The Pushbacks in the introduction to this interview) as well as the Stiff Gins, and from the Black Arm Band. Her music ranges from soul to reggae to R&B and gospel, yet country music has been there from the start and she now has a new country album, Til My Song is Done. The album is broad in scope, and underscored by love and change. Donovan's voice is a wonder, piercing the heart of any listener. Donovan has been singing since childhood, influenced by country artists like Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton. Her grandparents would bring cassettes when they visited, instilling in Donovan a love of classic country that stays with her. Her mother and five uncles performed together, and - as I found out during our recent chat - Donovan has quite the history of childhood talent quests ... For more about Emma Donovan, including upcoming live dates: https://www.emmadonovan.com/ Listen to Til My Song is Done on Apple Music Listen to Til My Song is Done on Spotify Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Instagram Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brisbane-based singer-songwriter Jacob Vincent has just released his new single 'What Would I Say', just in time for Anzac Day, and the first single from his upcoming debut album, produced by Shane Nicholson and due for release in 2025. The song had its genesis at the DAG Songwriting Retreat in Nundle, NSW, where Vincent met poet Colin Defries. It pays tribute to diggers and their service, with a new take on this subject. Vincent grew up in a musical family in Tasmania - with his grandfather a member of The Singing Kettles - and developed a passion for songwriting and performing from a young age. He released his debut EP, Cold & Blue, in 2020. In 2022 he was crowned Best of the Buskers at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, and last year he was a Grand Finalist in the prestigious Toyota Star Maker competition. This year he returned to play a sold-out show with Kelly Cork at The Press. We talked about Vincent’s family background, and his years as a competitive swimmer and how that might have had an impact on his development as an artist. Vincent is a thoughtful and articulate with songs to match and a voice that brings his powerful stories to life. For more on Jacob Vincent: https://www.instagram.com/jacob_vincent/ Listen to 'What Would I Say' on Apple Music Listen to 'What Would I Say' on Spotify Watch the video for 'What Would I Say' on YouTube Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Instagram Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Piper Rodrigues started 2024 as a Toyota Star Maker Grand Finalist, in the wake of releasing her popular 2023 single 'Exit Wound'. Originally from Newcastle, NSW, she now calls Brisbane home and her latest single is 'Watch Your Step', co-written with Hayley Marsten. Rodrigues was bitten by the music bug early on, taking singing lessons from age 7 and performing for her mother's hair salon clients as a child. She wrote her first song at age 13 and really hit her stride at 15 when she started teaching herself guitar and writing prolifically. Early influences included country legends like Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift as well as artists like Bonnie Raitt and Stevie Nicks. During our recent chat Rodrigues shared funny stories from her life that inspired the lighthearted vibe of 'Watch Your Step', as well as tidbits about her creative process, organising gigs, and her dreams for the future. Fans can catch Piper live playing festivals like Texas Country Music Fest later this year. She gave us a sneak preview that even more new music is on the horizon as she prepares to record again soon and continue evolving her signature country/pop fusion sound. For more about Piper Rodrigues: linktr.ee/hiheyitspiper Listen to Piper Rodrigues on Apple Music Listen to Piper Rodrigues on Spotify Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Instagram Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bud Rokesky is a singer and songwriter from Queensland who released his wonderful debut album, Outsider, last year. Since then he’s been on the road quite a bit, playing support slots for C.W. Stoneking, Deacon Blue, Meg Washington, Tim Rogers and Matt Corby as well as appearing at Gympie Music Muster, Woodford, Dashville Skyline, Groundwater, Queenscliff Music Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, and Out On The Weekend. As powerful as Rokesky is on recordings, he is a live performer of rare impact, and a big part of that is his voice, which emerges from a deeper well when he's on stage. It is live performance that has motivated a shift in direction for his releases this year: the 'Volumes project', for which he's releasing two new songs a month, as an A side and a B side. The latest volume is 02 and the tracks are ‘Newtown’ and ‘Oars’. Bud Rokesky is on the road supporting Brad Cox over the next few months. Find the tour dates at: https://www.budrokesky.com/live Listen to Bud Rokesky on Apple Music Listen to Bud Rokesky on Spotify Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Instagram Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chloe Swannell is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Oberon in the central west of New South Wales who released her first single, ‘Strange Love’, last year. She has just released her second, ‘Unchained’. In our recent interview Swannell tells the story behind 'Unchained' and talks about working with producer Tarquin Halls-Corbett, her songwriting process, her musical background - she plays guitar, bass, drums and banjo - and teaching music for ten years. She also reveals which sort of tradie she is on the side ... and talks about her planned EP release. For more about Chloe Swannell: https://www.facebook.com/ChloeSwannellMusic/ Listen to 'Unchained' on Apple Music Listen to 'Unchained' on Spotify Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Instagram Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josie is a country music dynamo from Far North Queensland who kicked off the year with a busy Tamworth Country Music Festival. She has released the very popular singles ‘Down Here’ and ‘Freight Man’. Her latest single is ‘Our Place’. 'If anyone has been to a party at my parents' place, you’d know we don’t muck around when it comes to having a bit of fun, cooking up mean feeds, and letting your hair down no matter the occasion,' says Josie. 'Dad cookin’ up a storm is no word of a lie,' she says, referring to a line in the song, 'briskets and top notch bush snags galore. Mum is always cranking the tunes maybe a little too loud … and the whole family would just about invite every man and his dog out for a cheeky beer that would always turn into 2am campfire jam sessions surrounded by empties.' Josie and I had a chat about 'Our Place', as well as the success of 'Freight Man', the time she stirred up controversy amongst truckers, and what she has planned. For more about Josie: https://linktr.ee/josieofficiall Listen to 'Our Place' on Spotify Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Instagram Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jemma Beech is a singer-songwriter from New South Wales who has released the album That’s Just Me along with several cracking singles, including ‘You Fool’ and ‘If I Can’t Wear Boots’. She was also a Grand Finalist in this year's Toyota Star Maker competition. Beech's latest single is ‘Four Leaf Clover’, which was inspired by a trip she made to her ancestral homeland, Ireland. Surrounded by music and stories, Beech was inspired to create a song that signals a shift in direction from her previous releases, and which has also led to her wanting to return. She is full of vigour and passion for her craft and keen to see where her music takes her - and her audience. For more about Jemma Beech: https://www.jemmabeechmusic.com/ Listen to 'Four Leaf Clover' on Apple Music Listen to 'Four Leaf Clover' on Spotify Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Olive Mae is a folk/country singer-songwriter from the south-west of Western Australia who released her debut single, ‘Give Me Something’, in 2022. Last year she released the single 'Hit the Road' and her latest single is ‘Wait & See’ - both of them will appear on her EP due for release later this year. Mae has been a musician for most of her life, learning instruments from a young age and playing in a band in adulthood before taking a break to raise her children. She's now back writing and releasing music, and playing music - including up and down the east coast of Australia over the past few months, culminating in her first visit to the Tamworth Country Music Festival. We had a chat about all of that. For more about Olive Mae: linktr.ee/olivemaemusic Listen to Olive Mae on Apple Music Listen to Olive Mae on Spotify Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Instagram Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sara Storer has won 22 Golden Guitar awards, her most recent being this year for the song ‘Dust Kids’ released with her brother Greg as Storer, from their self-titled album. On her own Storer has released five studio albums, all of which have been fan and award favourites. Her brand new song is ‘Under Darwin Stars’ and Sara is working towards a new album. Storer is far too young to be called a legend yet there is something legendary about her songwriting and her success with it. The qualities that she brings to her music are also present when she is interviewed: she is present, real, open-hearted, funny, down-to-earth and pragmatic. They're some of the reasons why it's always a treat to interview her; some of the others are that she tells great stories, is effortlessly interesting and entertaining, and that it is always, and always will be, a privilege to talk to an artist this accomplished and esteemed. For more about Sara Storer: https://www.sarastorer.com.au/ Listen to 'Under Darwin Stars' on Apple Music Listen to 'Under Darwin Stars' on Spotify Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Instagram Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robbie Mortimer grew up in the central west of New South Wales as one of five brothers in a sporting family. He would go on to be a professional sportsman before returning to his home area and becoming a teacher and mentor, all while creating music. His first album, the pop-leaning 200 Years Too Late, was released in 2021. He has a brand new song, ‘Blow the Speakers’, and it’s as hi-octane as it sounds. Mortimer and producer Jared Adlam captured the energy of Mortimer's live sound in the song, and if you'd like to see Mortimer live you can see the dates below. Mortimer and I had a chat recently about his development as a songwriter and artist, his passion for live performance and his plans for the future. See Robbie Mortimer live: Friday 5th April - Way Out West Festival - Winton, QLD Saturday 20th April - Stock Route Festival - Dubbo, NSW Sunday 28th April - Carnival of Cups - Goulburn, NSW Saturday 8th June - PBR Monster Energy Tour – Brisbane Ent. Centre - Brisbane, QLD Saturday 22nd June - PBR Monster Energy Tour – Newcastle Ent. Centre - Newcastle, NSW Saturday 13th July - PBR Monster Energy Tour – Cairns Convention Centre - Cairns, QLD Saturday 28th September - Heart Of The Hunter Festival - Tocal, NSW Saturday 26th October - PBR Monster Energy Tour – Equine & Livestock Centre - Tamworth, NSW Saturday 2nd November - PBR Monster Energy Tour – Townsville Ent. Centre - Townsville, QLD For more about Robbie Mortimer: https://www.robbiemortimer.com/ Listen to 'Blow the Speakers' on Apple Music Listen to 'Blow the Speakers' on Spotify Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Instagram Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cass Hopetoun released her debut album, Not Your Typical Bride, in 2022 and was nominated for the Golden Guitar for Best New Talent, which was her second nomination for that category. In fact, she’s had three Golden Guitar nominations in total. Since releasing the album Hopetoun has become a mother and, with husband Blake Dantier, released the single ‘Some Things Never Get Old’. Her latest single is ‘To Be a Lady’, written with Dantier and Sarah Buckley, and produced by Dantier. On Not Your Typical Bride Hopetoun established herself as a performer and writer with range and perspicacity, and 'To Be a Lady' is at one in the lineage of the album and indicates that Hopetoun is only gathering strength as an artist. We talked about the song, creative life and motherhood, and what's next for this talented singer-songwriter. For more about Cass Hopetoun: https://www.casshopetoun.com.au/ Listen to Cass Hopetoun on Apple Music Listen to Cass Hopetoun on Spotify Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Instagram Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryan Mead is a singer-songwriter from the Sutherland Shire in Sydney who may be 18 years of age but he’s already racked up a few musical credits, including the Talent Development Project last year. He has just released his debut single, ‘Tangled Up in Wranglers’, and a warning: the song is kinda addictive, so once you start listening you may find yourself hitting 'play' a few more times. Mead's first instrument was drums, which he's been playing from a young age, before he added guitar and voice to his repertoire. He is soon to depart Australian shores to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Before then you can catch him playing various locations in Sydney CBD and the Shire. The full list of shows can be round on his website. Listen to 'Tangled Up in Wranglers' on Apple Music Listen to 'Tangled Up in Wranglers' on Spotify Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Instagram Follow Sunburnt Country Music on Facebook Sunburnt Country Music website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.