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Dear Rach & SophAll the May 2025 book releases you need to know about!New books mentioned in this episode:General fictionThe Remarkable Truth of Alfie Bains by Sarah Clutton (Allen & Unwin)Lonely Mouth by Jacqueline Maley (HarperCollins)Everything Lost, Everything Found by Matthew Hooton (HarperCollins)The Good Mistress by Anne Tiernan (Hachette) – NZ authorBoom Town Snap by Jay Martin (Fremantle Press)RomanceSalty, Spiced and a Little Bit Nice by Cynthia Timoti (Pan Macmillan)Last Breath (Blood Wine Dynasty Book 2) by Emma...2025-05-0416 minDear Rach & SophWhy the World Needs Your Creativity | with guest Amie McNeeThere have been several well-known books written about creativity. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron is a classic. Rachael and I talked about Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic in an episode last year. Both of them deserve the hype and longevity, and there are others too of course. None of the books I’ve read about creativity or writing, even a book that might be classified as inspirational self-help (or perhaps I just made up that category), has quite the combination of warmth, compassion, urgency and practicality as British-resident, Australian-raised Amie McNee’s new book We Need Y...2025-04-271h 12Dear Rach & SophSeason 3, episode 4 - 'Writer therapy' with guest Emily Paull, author of The Distance Between DreamsNot that long ago I put a message on social media basically saying that Rachael Johns says she gets ‘writing therapy’ from me and asking if anyone else would like some. We had responses! Thus, this will be the first of several episodes of such ‘therapy’ [NB: neither Rach nor I is a therapist, although teaching yoga can feel like it sometimes].Our guest for this episode is Emily Paull, whose debut novel, The Distance Between Dreams, is historical fiction and out now from Fremantle Press. Like Rach, Emily is from Perth. Her ‘therapy’ question was specifically...2025-04-061h 01Dear Rach & SophSeason 3, episode 2: Guest Catherine Greer on writing stories for women in later lifeWe like to have a subject on Dear Rach & Soph, so when we learnt about Sydney author (originally from Canada) Catherine Greer and her novel The Bittersweet Bakery Cafe (Allen & Unwin, March 2025), and saw her website Love Our Age, we asked if she’d be interested in talking about stories for women in later life. What followed was a wide-ranging conversation about Catherine’s life, her interests as a writer, and her extensive writing background, which includes several works of non-fiction - Small Steps Are Perfect, The 10 Minute Fix, The 10 Minute Fix Journal, and Choosing Happiness - along with YA no...2025-03-221h 21Dear Rach & SophSeason 3, episode 1: All the questionsWhen we started Dear Rach & Soph last year, we named it that because we hoped readers (and writers) would send us questions. For this first episode of season 3, we have mainly reader questions to answer and one writer question. Plus we generally have a chat, per usual.Coming up this season we have some fabulous guests to talk about a range of subjects and we’ve had some writers volunteer for ‘writer therapy’ so you’ll see/hear that too. Plus we’re adding an episode a month to cover newly released Australian fiction, so if you’d like...2025-03-151h 17
In The Thick Of It With Tori ForsythPOV: Sophie Hamley. Best selling author, podcaster and publisher. We chat creativity and yoga, surviving a near death experience and being a voice for artists.Sophie Hamley is a publisher at Hachette Australia, the author of several novels under the name Sophie Green and the writer and producer of Sunburnt Country Music since 2011. Sophie has also been teaching Yoga since 2002 and this is infused into her passion for the arts and creativity.You can find Sophie Here:https://sunburntcountrymusic.com/https://www.hachette.com.au/sophie-green/Support the show2025-02-191h 29Dear Rach & SophBonus episode: The Bad BridesmaidRachael Johns has a brand new book! And it is called THE BAD BRIDESMAID. Those who read and loved Rachael’s novel THE OTHER BRIDGET, which was released last year, will recognise the character Fred, who is Bridget/Bee’s best friend. In THE BAD BRIDESMAID (TBB for short) Fred has the starring role. TBB is a delightful rom com that you will not want to finish, and has a quite lovely hero in the form of Leo.You can find a blurb for TBB on a gazillion bookseller websites so we're not going to reproduce it h...2025-01-281h 10Dear Rach & SophDear Rach & Soph season 2, episode 15 - Christmas special with Rachael TreasureWe had such a great time chatting to Rachael Treasure on episode 10 of this season that we thought, heyyyyy - let’s ask her back! And we also wanted to have her back because in that first chat we barely scratched the surface of the richness of Rachael T’s life and endeavours.In this episode we catch up on Rachael T’s latest daring adventures, as well as talk about what we’ll be reading over the Christmas break [NB: we recorded the ep in late November as it was the only time the three of us we...2024-12-141h 21Dear Rach & SophDear Rach & Soph season 2, episode 14 - Award winners and Christmas grinnersThis week Rach and Soph discuss the Booker Prize-winning novel Orbital by Samantha Harvey and also delve into whether or not we usually read award-winning books and why/why not. We’d love to know if you read them or do not, and why, so please let us know in the comments!Also for the comments: an answer to a question Sophie poses near the start … about the title of her 2025 novel. It was to be called one thing - a title she gave it at inception - but now it’s not. There are some option...2024-12-071h 00Dear Rach & SophDear Rach & Soph season 2, episode 13 - Book promotion, Substack, all the thingsFrom time to time on this pod and elsewhere Rachael Johns mentions her virtual assistant, Annie Bucknall. Through her business Well Creative Annie helps Rach with her social media, website and newsletter, and recently moved that newsletter to Substack.Rach and Soph have been talking about Substack, especially about the fact that there’s a lot of book coverage on there at a time when book coverage is disappearing from mainstream media. We have read some opinion pieces (on Substack) about how traditional media should no longer be the focus for book promotion. As authors who ha...2024-12-011h 12Dear Rach & SophDear Rach & Soph season 2, episode 12 - Do you read reviews of your own books?We like to have a subject to speak about on this podcast, even when we have a guest. Rach raised the idea of ‘do you read your own reviews?’ and said she had one guest in mind: Sally Hepworth. Sally not only reads reviews of her books but is especially fond of the one-star reviews, as she talks about in this episode. Indeed, she is very fond of one-star reviews. And she and Rach both very much do not like three-star reviews. You’ll have to listen to find out whether or not Soph pays attention to reviews....2024-11-2356 minDear Rach & SophDear Rach & Soph season 2, episode 11 - All about BookTokBookTok is now an entrenched part of bookselling and publishing - it is not a temporary glitch, as it may have appeared to be during the pandemic when readers were looking for escapism. The genres that are at the core of BookTok - romance and romantasy - remain popular, and may have been said to have increased in popularity. Certainly TikTok isn’t going away and nor is #booktok.Rach and Soph wanted to find out more about the phenomenon from someone who has been involved in it for a while: Sophie's colleague Claudia, who works in...2024-11-161h 06Dear Rach & SophDear Rach & Soph season 2, episode 10 - With special guest Rachael TreasureFrom Sophie:I met Rachael Treasure for the first time in the middle of this year on the Gold Coast, as we were both attending authors at Rachael Johns's Readers Retreat. I've read Rachael T's books, including her now-classic Jillaroo, which can be said to be the first ever rural romance (even though she wouldn't necessarily classify it as that). To say that Rachael T is a delightful human being is to seriously undersell her. She is whimsical, hilarious, astute, generous and hugely warm hearted, as well as being a (r)evolutionary in agriculture. We...2024-11-091h 13Dear Rach & SophDear Rach & Soph season 2, episode 9 - Our favourite books ... that we've writtenThanks to lovely reader Elaine in New Zealand, whom Rach and Soph both met at the RJ Book Club Readers Retreat on the Gold Coast this year, for this question that Rach and I answer in this week’s episode:‘Which has been the book you've written that you've most enjoyed writing, and did reader feedback reflect your own feelings?’There’s a bit in there about the one time Soph drew heavily on her own near-death experience to for a chapter in THE SHELLY BAY LADIES SWIMMING CIRCLE and then subsequently forgets details...2024-11-021h 03Dear Rach & SophDear Rach & Soph season 2, episode 8 - Listener questionsSometimes Rachael Johns and I wonder if we have any listeners/viewers (well, not really - I can see the stats so I know you're out there, and thank you for listening/watching!). Then a question or two comes in and, lo, we are reassured that there are, indeed, listeners/viewers. Such is the case with this week's episode, in which Rach answers a question from Nina Kenwood about community building and we both answer a question from a listener who wished to remain anonymous. That question is about lack of support from a spouse for writing, and we...2024-10-2756 minDear Rach & SophSeason 2, episode 7 - Craft booksThis week we talk about writing craft books. Rach loves them - indeed, she collects them, and if you watch this episode on video you’ll see the collection. She’s also read a lot of them. Soph have not read too many but likes what she's read thus far. Possibly the most important information we could convey in this post is the list of books mentioned in the episode, and this is it in the order of mentioning:Save the Cat! by Blake SnyderSave the Cat! Writes a Novel by Je...2024-10-201h 02Dear Rach & SophSeason 2, episode 6 - In which Soph is Rach's research subjectDear Rach & Soph - podcastHosted by bestselling Australian novelists Rachael Johns and Sophie GreenRach is currently writing a book about twins who are adopted. As can happen for an author, she needed to do some research. Which is where Soph comes in … she's adopted. It’s not something you’ll find in her author bio because for her it’s a mundane fact. She's always known. But it is out of the ordinary, and it is complex, and there is often heartbreak on at least one side of it, and ther...2024-10-1355 minDear Rach & SophDear Rach & Soph season 2, episode 5 - Points of viewThis week on the podcast Rachael Johns and Sophie Green talk about points of view in novels: first, third - and the little-seen second (and Sophie cites Bright Lights, Big City by Jay McInerney as an example of this point of view). We also discuss use of past and present tense within these points of view, and whether the point of view (and tense) choose us or we choose them. So this is a 'craft' episode, and we do get feedback from listeners that you like us talking about craft, so here you go! If there's a...2024-10-0644 minDear Rach & SophDear Rach & Soph season 2, episode 4 - Staying published, with guest Christine WellsThis week Rachael Johns and Sophie Green talk to author Christine Wells, and the theme is 'staying published' - that is, what it has taken for Christine to stay published over the course of her career. She's published 16 books with four different publishers in the United States and Australia, so she has quite a lot of experience to draw on! There's more about Christine and her latest novel, THE PARIS GOWN, below. *** Christine Wells writes historical fiction featuring strong, fascinating women. After graduating from university with a law...2024-09-291h 04Dear Rach & SophSeason 2, episode 3 - Writing spicy scenesEven if you don’t read spicy books, as they’ve come to be known, you’ve no doubt read spicy scenes in other books (and we're using the term ‘spicy’ instead of the other because we’d have to use an asterisk in that to avoid internet-consequences, plus we're sure you understand what we mean when we say ‘spicy’). If you are a writer of spicy books, you’ve definitely written them, and even if you don’t write spicy books you may have written spicy scenes anyway.Soph reads spicy books. Both Rach and Soph have both writt...2024-09-2254 minDear Rach & SophSeason 2, episode 2 - with guest Lainie AndersonIn this episode we talk to Lainie Anderson, author of the new novel The Death of Dora Black: A Petticoat Police Mystery. We had a lovely time, as Lainie was warm and engaging and very, very interesting. If you'd like to see Sophie's review of the book, it's here. If you'd like to read more about the book and Lainie, you're in luck! That information appears below. ABOUT THE DEATH OF DORA BLACK A charming, uplifting cosy murder mystery inspired by the true story of Australia's pioneering policewoman Kate Cocks Summer, Ade...2024-09-151h 01Dear Rach & SophSeason 2, episode 1 - Grand ambitionAmbition is a tricky subject for Australians - our Tall Poppy Syndrome is alive and well, and when you combine that with lingering Cultural Cringe, for an Australian writer to say they have ambitions/that they are ambitious can be seen as cringey in and of itself.Well, we decided that it’s too bad if anyone sees us as cringey - or, rather, we don’t care, because we do have ambition and we wanted to talk about it. Partly because we hope that by naming it, by talking about it, other writers (especially female writ...2024-09-0846 minDear Rach & SophBonus episode: Art Hour at the Duchess HotelWhen we recorded our first episode of our podcast, Dear Rach & Soph, earlier this year, we talked about her then-new novel The Other Bridget. So even though we've wrapped the first season, Rachael suggested we do an episode devoted to Sophie's new novel, Art Hour at the Duchess Hotel. So this is a bonus episode of the podcast - or a bridging episode, if you will, since we have already started recording season two! We have so appreciated the feedback from listeners, including telling us that you miss the pod, so we hope you enjoy this e...2024-08-1852 minDear Rach & SophEpisode 17 - Trusting the magicWhen we started this podcast we don’t think either of us had a single thought about how long it might go for - probably not this long! It's hard to believe we’ve released an episode a week for the past 17 Sundays, but we haven’t run out of things to talk about and we still have a long list of subjects we’d like to discuss. However, we’re going to take a little break as we both have books to write.In this, our final episode of season 1 (as we do plan to do a seaso...2024-06-161h 03Dear Rach & SophEpisode 16 - Entering competitions and publishing first novelsThis is the penultimate episode of the first season of Dear Rach & Soph - Rachael and Sophie both have books to write, so we need to focus on those - but we have a long list of subjects we’d like to cover in future episodes so we will be back! In this episode we were very happy to chat to Susannah Begbie, author of The Deed, which won the Richell Prize in 2022. The Richell is a joint project of @hachetteaus and @emergingwriters; entries for the 2024 prize are open now and closing on 7 July. Details at htt...2024-06-0952 minDear Rach & SophEpisode 15 - Fitting it all in (with special guest Ashleigh Barton)**NB This episode was recorded in April so our intro chat will be out of sync with recent episodes.**This week we have a wonderful guest: children’s author Ashleigh Barton, who has written several CBCA Notable and Shortlist titles including What Do You Call Your Grandpa? and What Do You Call Your Grandma? (more information below). Ashleigh’s latest book is the picture book Dinosaur in My Pocket and on 26 June she’ll release two Freddie Spector, Fact Collector titles: Go for Gold and Space Cadet. Ashleigh writes for a range...2024-06-021h 02Dear Rach & SophEpisode 14 - Good rejections, bad rejections, and submissions in generalRejections are par for the course for all writers, whether they’ve been published or not. Even once you have a publisher they may reject your next idea - or readers may reject your book by not reading it! Both Rachael Johns and Sophie Green have been rejected - multiple times (and both of us by Mills & Boon, which we talk about in this episode).As a publisher, and when she was an agent, Sophie does some rejecting, and she also sees a lot of submissions, so she has some things to say about where wr...2024-05-261h 02Dear Rach & SophEpisode 13 - Retirement energy (with special guest Fiona Palmer)A little while ago Rachael Johns suggested we do an episode on ‘retirement energy’ after one of her favourites, Elin Hildebrand, announced she was stepping back from her regular writing pace. Writers obviously don’t have the same working structures as those in other careers and the decision to step back or retire can happen for a variety of reasons. Rach also suggested that we chat to fellow Western Australian author Fiona Palmer about her decision not to write novels for the foreseeable future (her last published book is The Wrong Sister from 2022). Books mentioned: Regen...2024-05-191h 12Dear Rach & SophEpisode 12 - The tricky writing bitsIn this episode Rachael Johns and Sophie Green talk about the parts of writing that we may or may not find tricky: no, not the existential stuff like 'I feel like I'm ripping my soul out of my body' (NB: we don't) but the technical stuff ... showing vs telling, action tags and dialogue tags, keeping track of timelines, whether or not we describe our characters' appearances, and other subjects of that ilk.We also catch up on our news, which includes Soph writing a Farmer Wants a Wife recap for Rach, and generally enjoy chatting to...2024-05-1253 minDear Rach & SophEpisode 11 - All about agents (with special guest Renae Black)In this episode Rach and Soph talk about their Farmer Wants a Wife viewing, Rach asks Soph if she'd ever write a country music novel and we have a special guest: rural fiction author Renae Black. Renae had some questions about literary agents and Sophie used to be one, so we talk about the reasons for having one or not and, if you want one, how you’d choose one.Rach also asks Soph if she has a tattoo - and she wants to know if any of you have a literary-themed tattoo …We r...2024-05-051h 01Dear Rach & SophEpisode 10 - Listener questions!This week bestselling authors Rachael Johns and Sophie Green answer a couple of listener questions - one from a writer we’ll call Mindy, as she wishes to remain anonymous, and another from Ike Levick. In the course of answering their questions Rach and Soph talk about why they write, how they define success, and how they move past blocks in their writing and get out of their own way.If you have a question for Rach and Soph, you can email it to sophie@sophie-green-author.comFor more about Ra...2024-04-2855 minDear Rach & SophEpisode 9: Authors and social media (with special guests Natasha Lester and Jack Heath)Rachael Johns decided to scale back her presence on social media for a little while - not leaving it entirely but restricting how much time she spent on it. With two books to write this year, it's no surprise she needed the time. The surprise came when around the same time as she made that decision she discovered that fellow Western Australian and international bestselling author Natasha Lester made a similar decision, and so did so did Jack Heath, prolific author of books for children and adults.So Rach suggested that we invite Natasha and Jack...2024-04-201h 12Dear Rach & SophEpisode 8: Rejections, submissions, and the editorial processThe editorial process is something every published author goes through but which time and repetition tends not to ameliorate … alas! In this episode bestselling novelists Rachael Johns and Sophie Green talk about the different stages of the editorial process, both the ones we go through before turning in a manuscript and what happens as a manuscript is turned into a book. Hopefully it’s interesting for writers who haven’t experienced it yet and for published authors it may be cathartic to listen to! We certainly liked chatting to each other about it and hope you enjoy l...2024-04-1459 minDear Rach & SophEpisode 7: Imposter syndrome (with special guest Amanda Knight)When Soph met author Amanda Knight at an event in Sydney for Rach's THE OTHER BRIDGET they chatted about the podcast that Rach and Soph had already started recording, and Soph mentioned that we would love to have questions from listeners. Amanda said that there was a subject she’d be interested in talking about: imposter syndrome. So the three of us did talk about it, at length, on episode 7 of the podcast and even if you don’t have imposter syndrome (although don’t we all at some stage?) we hope you find this episode interes...2024-04-071h 19Dear Rach & SophEpisode 6: Rules, no rules, and the role of panicWe're up to episode 6! How did that happen? In this episode Rach and Soph talk about their writing processes; whether they follow rules when they write; what happens in head hopping, Rach's panic about her new manuscript and how Soph has inadvertently become her writing therapist. During the episode Soph mentions Gretchen Rubin's Four Tendencies quiz and you can find that here.Writers - do you have a challenge or conundrum, or a question about process, how to get started, or anything at all to do with writing? We’d lov...2024-03-3056 minDear Rach & SophEpisode 5: Reading while writingIn this week's episode bestselling novelists Rachael Johns and Sophie Green answer another listener question, about whether they read other people's books while writing (spoiler alert: they do).They also catch up on what they've been working on since the last episode, talk about whether or not they show their works in progress to anyone, and the fact that they have listener reviews.For more about Rachael Johns: https://www.rachaeljohns.comRachael's latest book is The Other BridgetFor more about Sophie Green: https://sophie-green-author.com2024-03-2359 minDear Rach & SophEpisode 4: We have listener questions!In the fourth episode of Dear Rach & Soph, Rachael Johns and Sophie Green answer some listener questions about motivation and getting unstuck. And in the course of doing so Sophie talks about the importance of dancing and there is mention of possibly-maybe posting a playlist. That playlist can be found on Spotify and YouTube.The track listing is:‘Nataraja’- The Dum Dum Project‘Im Ninalou’ - Cheb i Sabbah‘Into the Groove’ - Madonna‘Dig’ - Fanny Lumsden‘Abalele’ - Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa ft Ami Faku2024-03-1645 minDear Rach & SophEpisode 3: Why we writeIn the third episode of Dear Rach & Soph, Rachael Johns and I talk about her recent book tour for her latest novel, The Other Bridget; my copy edit for my next novel, Art Hour at the Duchess Hotel, and the big question for the episode: why we write. You can watch the YouTube version of the podcast below, or find us on your favourite podcast platforms (some links below).We recorded this episode on the day our first episode was released, so we didn't yet have listener questions - we have since had some, and upcoming...2024-03-1050 minDear Rach & SophEpisode 2: A strange thing to have in commonWhen bestselling authors Rachael Johns and Sophie Green met in person for the first time - in Sydney, early in February - they discovered that they have something quite unusual in common. Something which, on the face of it, doesn’t seem to have anything to do with their writing … or perhaps it does.***This podcast is called ‘Dear Rach & Soph’ for a reason - YOU! We would love to answer your questions.Writers - do you have a challenge or conundrum, or a question about process, how to get started...2024-03-0256 min
Dear Rach & SophEpisode 1: The Other BridgetFor this first episode Rach and Soph talk about The Other Bridget, Rach's latest novel, published in 2024. And they talk about a few other things too, including how they first met, the novels of Curtis Sittenfeld and eating disorders.But it’s called ‘Dear Rach & Soph’ for a reason - YOU! We would love to answer your questions.Writers - do you have a challenge or conundrum, or a question about process, how to get started, or anything at all to do with writing? We’d love to be your writing agony aunts.2024-02-2556 min
Writing Books and Music - hosted by Sophie GreenInterview with bestselling author Toni JordanWRITING BOOKS AND MUSIC PODCAST, EPISODE 13: TONI JORDANToni Jordan has worked as a molecular biologist, quality control chemist, TAB operator and door-to-door aluminium siding salesperson. She is the author of six novels including the international bestseller Addition, which was longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award. Toni holds a Bachelor of Science in physiology and a PhD in Creative Arts. Her most recent novel is Prettier if She Smiled More, which was released earlier this year.***ABOUT PRETTIER IF SHE SMILED MORE'J...2023-07-2930 minWriting Books and Music - hosted by Sophie GreenInterview with award-winning true crime author Tanya BrethertonTanya Bretherton has a PhD in sociology with special interests in narrative life history and social history. She has published in the academic and public sphere for twenty years, and worked as a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney for fifteen years. Her first book, The Suitcase Baby, was shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Award, the Danger Prize and the Waverley Library 'Nib' Award. Her second book The Suicide Bride, was shortlisted for the Danger Prize and in 2020 she won the Danger Prize for The Killing Streets. Her most recent book is The Husband Poison...2023-07-2229 minWriting Books and Music - hosted by Sophie GreenInterview with bestselling thriller writer Ali LoweAli Lowe is the author of two bestselling thrillers, The Trivia Night, and her latest book, The Running Club. She has also been a journalist for 20 years, writing for bridal magazines, parenting titles, websites and newspapers in London and then Australia, after she moved to Sydney seventeen years ago on a trip that was meant to last a year. Ali writes books that captivate you right from the start because of their pace and characters, and it was fascinating to listen to her talking about her process. She also gives some great tips about writing. F...2023-07-1622 minWriting Books and Music - hosted by Sophie GreenInterview with singer-songwriter Raechel WhitchurchRaechel Whitchurch grew up playing music in a family band and is now a solo artist, having released the truly wonderful and Golden Guitar nominated album Finally Clear in 2021. At the time we spoke her latest single was ‘I’m Not Cool’ and we talked about that. Since then she has released the single 'Untangled'.Raechel also runs the busy booking agency called Sure Thing Agency, which means she helps other musical artists manage their live performances. So she is an expert at fitting in creativity around other things, and at making meaningful songs full of heart...2023-07-0836 minWriting Books and Music - hosted by Sophie GreenInterview with bestselling children's author Allison TaitAllison Tait (A.L. Tait) is the internationally published bestselling author of middle-grade adventure series The Mapmaker Chronicles, the Ateban Cipher novels, and the Maven & Reeve Mysteries. Her latest novel The Wolf's Howl (A Maven & Reeve Mystery #2) is out now in Australia and the USA.A multi-genre writer, teacher and speaker with many years’ experience in magazines, newspapers and online publishing, Allison is co-host of the top-rating Your Kid’s Next Read podcast and former co-host of the So You Want To Be A Writer podcast. She has a writing group called Write With Allison Tait and you can fi...2023-07-0236 minWriting Books and Music - hosted by Sophie GreenInterview with Ashleigh DallasLast year Tamworth-based artist Ashleigh Dallas won two Golden Guitars, including one for Female Artist of the Year, and this year she took home the GG for Traditional Country Album of the Year for her fifth album, In the Moment. But she has already moved on, releasing the completely new singles ‘Take a Minute’ and 'Over to Me'. n addition to this musical output Ashleigh is a mother of two small children and an ambassador for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.I’ve interviewed Ashleigh several times over the past year and while there’s a chance o...2023-06-2548 minWriting Books and Music - hosted by Sophie GreenInterview with award-winning songwriter Matt Joe GowMatt Joe Gow was born in Aotearoa New Zealand and now lives in Melbourne. He has released four solo albums over the past few years and he also works with other artists as a writer and producer. His latest album is the exceptionally good Between Tonight & Tomorrow.At the time of our interview I already knew the album was one of my favourites of the past year but it's now one of my favourite albums of all time - which is not to say the previous albums aren't great! More that there is something about the c...2023-06-1225 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Lyn BowtellLyn Bowtell is one of the most beloved artists in Australian music, let alone Australian country music, and that is with very good reason: she is an exceptional artist, collaborator, mentor and leader within the industry. Those who have been captivated by her voice will forever be fans, and those who have been taught by her or had access to her knowledge and experience can only benefit from them. Bowtell won her tenth Golden Guitar award this year when her latest album, Wiser, was named Best Contemporary Country Album. That came after she had directed the Academy of Country...2023-02-1426 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Amber McIntoshCairns, Queensland artist Amber McIntosh has released several powerful country pop singles over the past couple of years, starting with 'Painted Me Grey'. The latest is 'Wasted'. The song was inspired by Patsy Cline's iconic 'Crazy' and its title takes on two meanings in the lyrics. McIntosh's voice is full of regret and positivity all at once, and it's an intriguing mix, so it was great to have the opportunity to talk to her about the song and her musical background.Amber McIntosh on Instagram: @ambermcintoshmusic More Australian country music interviews and reviews...2023-02-1321 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Jamie Lindsay, February 2023Although Central Coast, NSW singer-songwriter Jamie Lindsay grew up listening to country music, there was a time in his life when he veered away from it, thinking it was no longer the right music for him. Over the past few years, though, he has embraced his musical origins and now honours them with his new single, 'The is Who I Am'. Lindsay is always interesting to talk to about the many facets of being an independent artist and producer, and this interview was no exception.More about Jamie Lindsay: https://jamielindsaymusic.com/More...2023-02-1223 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Alan Fletcher, February 2023In June last year Alan Fletcher released the EP Dispatches not long after he'd enjoyed playing his first shows at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, supported by his producers Lachlan Bryan and Damian Cafarella. It was the association with Bryan and Cafarella which led, somewhat organically, to the creation of Fletcher's new album, The Point, and those two men, with other members of The Wildes, will support Fletcher on his upcoming UK tour. When Fletcher released Dispatches he thought his days playing Dr Karl Kennedy on Neighbours were coming to an end, as the series was cancelled; now he's...2023-02-1121 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Cassidy-Rae, February 2023Sydney-based singer-songwriter Cassidy-Rae has started the year with her next chapter: that is, the single 'The Next Chapter'. As with her previous singles, 'The Next Chapter' strikes the balance of being entertaining and thoughtful. Cassidy-Rae has just returned from a busy Tamworth Country Music Festival and we spoke about that, as well as her plans for the chapters beyond this one. And even though I've interviewed Cassidy-Rae several times now, it's always fun finding out what she's up to!More about Cassidy-Rae: https://cassidy-rae.com/More Australian country music interviews and reviews: https...2023-02-0727 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Charlie FittlerOne of the many great things about the Tamworth Country Music Festival is that it affords festival goers the chance to discover new artists of all ages, either busking or playing their own gigs or at someone else's. That's how I first saw the now 19-year-old Charlie Fittler when he was quite a few years younger than that, and I was impressed by his talent and also how much he clearly enjoyed playing music. Having released one single a few years ago, Fittler is now on the cusp of releasing his debut EP, with the first single, 'Dying Breed...2023-02-0621 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Max JacksonAround three years ago Max Jackson released her debut album, Life of the Party, which was an outstanding collection of country-pop songs, and she has now released a new EP, Out Here. What happened in the interim was that Jackson won the 2022 Toyota Star Maker competition, announced during the delayed Tamworth Country Music Festival in April last year. Since then Jackson has, as the title of her lead single from the EP suggests, runnin', making the most of the opportunities that have come her way thanks to Star Maker and planning for life beyond it too. When we spoke...2023-01-2929 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Kerryn FieldsMelbourne-based, Aotearoa New Zealand-raised Kerryn Fields recently released the single and video 'Until You' - it's a love song that is also an example of the joy to be found on the album it comes from, Water. As the album's title suggests, Fields is interested in the elements - earth, water, fire, air, ether - and while her songs are not necessarily focused on them she certainly incorporates them in such a way that the album is infused with the natural world and her delight in it, even as it addresses heartbreak and displacement. Recently I spoke to Fields...2022-12-1722 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Loren RyanAt the Toyota Star Marker Grand Final at this year's Tamworth Country Music Festival in April, Loren Ryan took the stage as one of the ten finalists. She's local to the Tamworth area so the very loud cheers could have been for that when she took the stage - but after she finished the reception was undoubtedly for her performance, which was impressive and impassioned. Ryan did not win that night but she has achieved something few artists do in being selected again as a Grand Finalist, so she'll perform at next year's TCMF. Ryan is already focused on...2022-12-1318 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Matt Cornell, December 2022A few weeks ago I interviewed Matt Cornell about the 2023 Country on Keppel festival, for which he is a key artist. At the time he had laryngitis so we couldn't talk for long, but given Cornell's extensive CV - member of the Baby Animals, of Golden Guitar-nominated duo Cornell & Carr, and music director for Adam Brand for many years - there was more to talk about. So when he released 'Stick Around' (although I call it 'Sticking Around' in the intro - #fail), his first solo single in several years, it was a good opportunity to find out more...2022-12-1236 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Scarlet's WayPerth, WA duo Scarlet's Way is made up of singer Katey Gabel and guitarist Shayne Savic. Their musical backgrounds are different but their influences are broad and shared, and these have resulted in a powerhouse rock/blues/country sound that has been documented on the 2017 EP Open Road and now on the single 'Doin' it for Love'. Gabel and Savic write together and perform in various permutations apart from Scarlet's Way, and it all adds up to an intensely musical life. We talked about the new single, their writing process and other things.More about Scarlet's...2022-12-1125 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Chloe StylerChloe Styler is an artist with impeccable country-pop instincts and the songs to show it, having previously released singles 'When Your Light Burns', 'Patient Heart' and 'Sweden' between 2018 and 2020. She has now released a seven-track EP, Side A, with five irresistible originals and acoustic versions of two of those songs. As I discovered when we spoke recently, it's taken some time for Side A to find its way into the world - not only because the pandemic delayed it but because of how time away from performance affected her. Quite apart from being a great artist, Styler is a...2022-12-1019 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with James KeithAt a certain point in my recent interview with Sydney-based artist James Keith about his new single, 'Life is Good Today', he said, 'You've only got one life - you've got to have a crack.' Keith has not only had a crack at music but thrown himself into it with passion and commitment, having played live for years even while working full time as a sportsman. 'Life is Good Today' is his first single, taken from his forthcoming album, and it's also his mission statement - this is a man who makes the most of every opportunity and...2022-12-1023 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Ashleigh Dallas, December 2022Tamworth local Ashleigh Dallas won the 2022 Golden Guitar for Female Artist of the Year and she will be attending the 2023 awards as a four-time nominee: for Female Artist of the Year once more, as well as Vocal Collaboration of the Year for 'Let the Girls Sing' with Kirsty Lee Akers and Amber Lawrence, and Toyota Album of the Year and Traditional Country Album of the Year for her album In the Moment. So it's fair to say that Dallas is a golden girl, which also makes it fitting that the latest single taken from In the Moment is its...2022-12-0631 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Brendan McMahonAlthough we're meant to be past the worst of the pandemic and all the change is has wrought, that hasn't necessarily meant that everything is back to normal and hunky-dory. People are tired - perhaps a little fed up - and given what's been going on that's understandable. Yet part of what makes musicians, in particular, such an important part of every culture and now more so than ever is their ability to capture an experience, a memory, a place or a time so succinctly and convey it in a way that we can all have a few minutes...2022-12-0520 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Angus GillChristmas songs aren't for everyone, of course - not everyone celebrates that particular holiday. And even those who do may not turn on the Christmas tunes until at least Christmas Eve. But 2022 Golden Guitar winner - and four-time 2023 Golden Guitar nominee - Angus Gill makes a persuasive case for cranking up the Christmas music well in advance of 25 December with his new EP, The Gilly Season. Gill is one of the most prolific and entertaining singer-songwriters at work in Australian country music, and he also knows his music history, so he knew that creating a Christmas EP would mean...2022-12-0330 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Jemma BeechJemma Beech is a singer-songwriter now living in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales but for a while she lived in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, driving hours to play gigs in between driving dump trucks in the mines. Her experiences there shaped her as a performer and a songwriter, and since the 2018 release of her debut album That's Just Me she has been working on new music. Her latest single is the light-hearted 'You Fool', a sweetly self-deprecating take on a love song, and we spoke about that - and about dump trucks.2022-12-0224 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Jade HollandWhen an artist loves what they do, you tend to hear it in the music - and from the sound of Jade Holland's new song, 'Oh My Heart', she really loves what she does. It's an infectious song that features Holland's powerful yet smooth vocals, turning a tale of heartbreak into an upbeat track that is a great successor to her previous single, 'Summertime, Sunshine and You'. The songs indicated a more pop direction to Holland's country music - her two albums have leaned more towards country rock - and it's one that suits her. Speaking to Holland recently...2022-11-3025 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Ella PowellSinger-songwriter Ella Powell lives on the Central Coast of New South Wales yet her music is taking her further afield - spending time on the road, which is no doubt inspiration enough for her new single, 'Drive', which has arrived just in time for the Australian summer when other people will be on road trips and looking for just the right music to play. As with previous singles such as 'Paper Town' and 'Along the Away', 'Drive' is melodically rewarding and instantly memorable. Powell has had a busy year releasing those other singles, and once 2023 begins she'll have a...2022-11-2817 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Jason McDanielMelbourne/Naarm singer-songwriter Jason McDaniel has spent much of his life immersed in music, whether writing and performing his own or playing in bands with esteemed musicians such as Charley Boyter. However, McDaniel took a long break between releasing originals - his first album Man in the Black Hat came out in 1995 and it wasn't until last year that he released a second, Honky Tonk Life. He now has a new song, 'Tall Glass of Country and a Shot of Rock n Roll', and we spoke recently about that and his extensive musical experience.2022-11-2723 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Jax TonicSeveral years ago Sydney singer-songwriter Jax Tonic played live at a relentless pace, before taking a break from music. That break has now led him to record and release his debut single, 'On the Front Foot', which was inspired by his first meeting with his wife. Tonic has rediscovered his love of performing live and now, with his original songs to add to his set, is back on the front foot of his music, as we spoke about recently.More on Jax Tonic: https://www.jaxtonic.com/More Australian country music interviews and...2022-11-2224 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Mandy HawkesMandy Hawkes is a singer-songwriter from the Northern Rivers district of New South Wales who plays in a country-folk style and released the EP The Water Was Deep in 2017. Since then she has released three unforgettable singles, 'They Say Love', 'We Were Just Kids' and her latest, 'Black Dog'. Hawkes has a background rich in text and music, and a desire to explore, through her music, the question of what it means to be on this earth, and to make sense of it. Her songs reflect this thoughtfulness and, as her heart is fully in then, connect movingly with...2022-11-2126 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Sarah CataniaMelbourne/Naarm singer-songwriter Sarah Catania recently released her debut single, 'Venus and Mars', although it's something she's been working towards for a while, performing regularly in her home town (when lockdowns allow), working on her songwriting craft as much as possible and undertaking studies in Music Performance. It was a pleasure to chat to this passionate, dynamic artist whose first song promises many great releases to come.More on Sarah Catania: https://sarahcatania.square.site/More Australian country music interviews and reviews: https://sunburntcountrymusic.com/ Hosted on Acast...2022-11-2019 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Emily Grace TaylorIn July Emily Grace Taylor released her debut country music single 'Till the Day' - but it was by no means her debut as a recording artist: as San Mei she has released many indie-rock singles and EPs. But country music has always been in Taylor's life and her experience as a songwriter, musician and singer has led to her creating a wonderful new country single, 'On My Way to You'. We spoke recently about her life in music, her path to country music and what's ahead for her as an artist.More...2022-11-1919 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with JD ReynoldsJD Reynolds is a country music artist who has set out to capture audience attention with her high-energy singles, including 'Whatever' and 'Rebound', and she has continued that trend with her new single, '8 Seconds'. That timeframe will be familiar to anyone who knows anything about the perilous sport of bull riding - and in this song Reynolds sets out to tell the story of the bull riders from another perspective: that of the loved ones who fear for them each time they ride. She told me the story behind the song, and about her lifelong love of music...2022-11-1923 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Ella & SiennaSouth Australian sister duo Ella & Sienna released their new single, 'The City in July', in late October and saw it swiftly added to Apple Music's Aussie Country playlist. Their two previous singles, 'Next to Mine' and 'Saved' received widespread radio airplay and high rotation on ABC Country Radio. The sisters' finely honed country-pop instincts come not only from the music they listen to - which includes Taylor Swift - but their commitment to developing their own playing, singing and songwriting. We spoke recently about 'The City in July' and, of course, I had to throw in a question about T...2022-11-1520 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Amy SheppardWhen an artist in any field - music, writing, visual arts - is hugely successful in one genre or strand of their work, it is undoubtedly a risk to shift to something new. Creatively it may not turn out the same way, and the audience may not go with you. Amy Sheppard is a member of the chart-topping Australian band Sheppard and this year she has released a solo EP, Nothing But Wild, which is an instantly memorable collection of country pop songs which prove that her instincts about great songwriting and performance carry over from one genre to...2022-11-1422 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Michelle CashmanSince March 2020 musicians have navigated their way through the relentless changes in the industry, often finding different ways of doing things than they were used to before and sometimes sticking with those. In the case of South Coast (NSW) singer-songwriter Michelle Cashman, the pandemic and its lockdowns coincided with her release of new music at a time when there were no shows possible to support it. Instead she created a community of listeners on Patreon. She's now released a wonderful acoustic album, Grace, and part of our recent discussion covered the role that community has played in the creation...2022-11-1330 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Sons of AtticusDylan Wright and Matt Joyce are Sons of Atticus, a duo who cannot be said to based in any one place as its members now live in different places. But as anyone who sees them play live knows, this does not affect their musical affinity one bit. Sons of Atticus released the album Jacks Motel in 2021, single 'Sad Songs' earlier this year and 'Sore Eyes' recently. We spoke recently about how they came to play music together, about the band's name and their new song, and it would be hard to find a pair easier or more enjoyable to...2022-11-1224 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Claudia TrippWestern Australian singer-songwriter Claudia Tripp has been releasing pop and country pop songs for several years. Her 2020 single ‘Attention’ charted at number 2 on the iTunes Country Chart and was nominated for WAM (Western Australian Music) Country Song of the Year. She performs regularly in Perth, and has a clear passion for her craft. Her latest single is 'I Only Miss You When I'm Drunk' - given the term 'drunk dialling' was invited in the current era, it's likely to be a song that a lot of people relate to, and it was clear when talking to Tripp that she is i...2022-11-1219 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Jimbo StokesJimbo Stokes is a singer-songwriter from the Hunter New England region of New South Wales who grew up near Tamworth and, therefore, quite aware of the country music that would take over the town every January. His mother, the late Bronwyn Stokes OAM, was a highly regarded GP and his debut single, 'Atlas', is about her - a moving tribute from a grieving son, and a powerful introduction to Stokes's singing and songwriting. Stokes's background is not in music, but his life is now in the arts, including as a visual artist. We spoke about this, and about the...2022-11-0122 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Darren ColstonNew South Welshman Darren Colston rehas released several albums and in 2019 the single 'I Saw You Smile Today'. He's released three singles in 2022, the latest of which is 'Nothing I Can Do', which is a song born of heartbreak. In previous singles 'Old Town' and 'Hello Riverina' Colston sings vividly about rural life, demonstrating his ability to chart exterior as well as interior landscapes. We spoke recently about his life in music and his new music.More about Darren Colston: https://darrencolston.com/More Australian country music interviews and reviews: https://sunburntcountrymusic.com/2022-10-3122 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Matt WardLast year South Australian singer-songwriter Matt Ward released his second album, If I Was in Dallas Tonight, the successor to 2019's Heartland. The album is a collection of vivid stories and memorable experiences, with Ward's wry perspective on the human condition making for songs that are relatable as well as entertaining. We spoke about the album and his 'Too Drunk to Two Step', as well as his musical background and other things.More about Matt Ward: https://www.mattwardmusic.com/More Australian country music interviews and reviews: https://sunburntcountrymusic.com/2022-10-3022 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Rachael FahimIn 2019 Rachael Fahim released her debut album, Iconic, and that's a great word to describe the status she's working towards as a country-pop artist. With her impressive vocals and ability to deliver memorable songs that also entertain, Fahim has the knack of knowing not only what audiences what but what they need: entertainment that also has layers of meaning for those who want them. Fahim's most recent single is 'City Girls in the Country' and we spoke about that, about the idea of who is 'allowed' to make country music and other things.More about Rachael...2022-10-3023 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Aurelle BrunjesAurelle Brunjes is an artist from Dimbulah, FNQ, who has been performing for several years in her local area then made the decision to record her own music. She released her debut single, 'Magpie', last year and whose latest release is 'Stumbling', which is partly about her experience of living with Ménière's disease, which causes vertigo, amongst other things, and also about the nature of modern life. We spoke recently about all of her singles, her inspirations, and her musical background.More on Aurelle Brunjes: https://www.facebook.com/RelleBrunjesMusic/More Au...2022-10-2628 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Matt CornellMatt Cornell has several roles within Australian country music: solo artist, musical director and band member for Adam Brand, one half of Cornell and Carr - and recurring artist at the Country on Keppel festival. While the festival on Queensland's Great Keppel Island was cancelled this year, there are plans to bring it back with a vengeance in 2023, and Cornell will make several appearances. We spoke recently about the festival and his legendary 80s show, and other things.Information for Country on Keppel: https://greatkeppelislandhideaway.com.au/events/country-on-keppel-14th-16th-july-2023/More about Matt C...2022-10-2520 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Danny PheganLast time I spoke to The Voice alumnus and Walla Walla (NSW) resident Danny Phegan it was about his song 'The Halfway Hotel'. Phegan has a full life, with several businesses and interests, and children as well, so there was lots to talk about. So much that there wasn't enough time, so it was great to have the chance to talk to him again about his new song 'The Fight Song' and to find out what he's been up to lately, including playing a few festivals.More about Danny Phegan: www.facebook.com/dannypheganofficial/2022-10-2425 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Sara BerkiSouthern Highlands (NSW) singer-songwriter Sara Berki released an impressive debut single, 'Fallin Off the Heartline', earlier this year and announced herself as a great talent to watch. She has more than backed up that promise with her second single, 'Good Enough', and has been taking her music to audiences around the country as the support act on the recent McAlister Kemp tour. Berki has plenty more to come on the music and performance front, and we spoke recently about that.More on Sara Berki: linktr.ee/saraberkimusicMore Australian country music interviews and...2022-10-2328 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Nathan MayArabana man Nathan May lives on Kaurna country in South Australia, where he performs regularly in local venues and also connects with songwriters and musicians around the country - his latest single, 'Fix It Up', was co-written by Colin Buchanan, produced by James Gillard and features guitar and banjo by Rod McCormack. The song has an interesting history, as I found out when talking to May recently - at least as interesting as his personal history and his ongoing dedication to music.More about Nathan May: https://nathanmaymusic.bandcamp.com/More Australian country...2022-10-2129 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with StorerThe name Storer is familiar to many Australian country music fans, and beloved too. That's because Sara Storer has created and released so many memorable, special songs over the course of her seven albums, starting with Chasing Buffalo in 2000 and most recently with Raindance in 2019. Her brother Greg has been part of Sara's live show for much of that time, and released his own outstanding album, Backwater, in 2010. The siblings have now formed Storer together, along with other family members, and their debut single under this name is 'Show Me'. When I interviewed them recently I found out about...2022-10-1829 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Jamie LindsayOne of the advantages of now conducting interviews on video is that there's more opportunity for conversation to flow, and for artists to talk in detail about their work - over the phone, without the ability to properly converse, it can be hard to know how far to take a certain subject as I can't gauge if the interviewee is interested in it. That means we might often not have strayed too far from the initial subject of the interview. Interviewing Central Coast (NSW) artist Jamie Lindsay for the second time, about his new single 'Bring on the Summertime...2022-10-1635 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Catherine TraicosWestern Australian artist Catherine Traicos draws musical influences from a range of genres, including the classical music of her original training, and produces music that while not easily categorised can be classified as music that connects to both the heart and head of the listener. There is thoughtfulness and joy in Traicos's songs, and the title of her latest EP, Choose Your Own Light, leaves open the possibility that the EP itself may be that light. It also nods to Traicos's commitment as an artist to leave room for the listener to find themselves in her songs - and...2022-10-1627 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Billie RoseQueensland artist Billie Rose released an impressive debut EP, Company with Regret, in 2020, and this year she has released two equally noticeable singles, 'Black Dress' and 'Label Me a Killer'. Each of them has an interesting backstory, which we talked about in this interview, along with Billie's experiences playing live from quite a young age, her attendance at the Academy of Country Music and her songwriting process.More about Billie Rose: billierosemusic.comMore Australian country music interviews and reviews: https://sunburntcountrymusic.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...2022-10-1421 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Riley CatherallLast year Melbourne-based, Canberra-raised singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Riley Catherall released a wonderful album, When I Go. Since then he's been on tour with Lachlan Bryan & the Wildes, in Australia and overseas. Catherall could easily have kept rolling out singles from When I Go while that was going on; instead, he recorded and has released a completely new song, 'Bark at the Moon'. It's a song that came about very quickly, as I learnt when we spoke recently. More about Riley Catherall: https://rileycatherall.com/More Australian country music interviews and reviews: https://sunburntcountrymusic.c...2022-10-1119 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Ashleigh DallasAfter winning two Golden Guitars earlier this year, one for Female Artist of the Year, Tamworth-based singer-songwriter Ashleigh Dallas has released her thoughtful, powerful fifth album In the Moment. In some ways it is a record of Dallas's diligence in her life and work: to do her best, to make the most of each day. In others it's simply a joyous listening experience, and a continuation of what fans have already loved about Dallas's work - her rich songwriting and heartfelt delivery of her songs. In this interview Dallas is generous with her insights into those songs and her...2022-10-1036 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Freya Josephine HollickFreya Josephine Hollick is a singer-songwriter from Victoria who has a distinct and distinctive identity within Australian country music. Her musical style has been described as cosmic country but that is merely a label for something that is definitely country music yet absolutely her music: an embrace of the structure of country as a pathway to greater creativity. Hollick writes songs that work on macro and micro scales, and nowhere is that better displayed than on her new album, The Real World, which is both a manifesto and an offering of love. Several singles from the album have already b...2022-10-1030 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Allan CameronAllan Cameron's career in music includes time spent playing with Keith Urban before the latter relocated to the USA, and recent membership of SaltbushSix, which included members of Urban's earlier band. Cameron hasn't released much music under his own name but that is now starting to change, and the recent release of the song 'Father's Eyes' shows him to be a nuanced and sensitive songwriter with a willingness and ability to connect with audiences. It was so interesting to talk to him recently and find out about his life in music.More about Allan Cameron: http...2022-10-0924 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Luke O'SheaThere's a particular power to the music of Sydney-based singer-songwriter Luke O'Shea that has been acknowledged by multiple Golden Guitar Awards as well as by the longevity of his career over five albums and countless shows. Australian audiences love O'Shea's way of telling stories and imparting information with humour and pathos and respect for his subjects, and no doubt they will love his new album, Next Big Thing, when it is released in January 2023. 'South East Queensland' is O'Shea's first single from that album and we spoke about that recently, as well as other songs and other things.2022-10-0925 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with James JohnstonJames Johnston has released a handful of singles and is already an unqualified success, with over 350 000 monthly listeners on Spotify and festival appearances and other shows lined up. He's also become a master of social media, using TikTok, in particular, to great effect - so much so that his recent single, 'Same Songs', came about entirely because of social media. The song was written and recorded with Kaylee Bell, but it was also a collaboration with both of their social media followings. When I spoke to James recently I wanted to find out more about this, because it heralds...2022-10-0918 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Kelly BrouhahaThe latest single from Kelly Brouhaha is ‘Poets, Troubadours & Me’, but as I put to her when we spoke recently, that title implies that she is not a poet or troubadour – when she most decidedly is both, and more. Anyone who has seen Brouhaha perform will know the power of her words and her performance, and how adept she is at conjuring magic in a set, as well as on a recording, as she did in her most recent album, Unplugged. Brouhaha takes that magic on the road, permanently, as she lives on the road – we discuss that, and more. 2022-10-0824 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Matt ScullionMatt Scullion is a singer and a songwriter whose most recent album is Aussie As Vol. II. His songs are not, however, confined to his albums as he’s one of Australian country music’s most prolific songwriters and in-demand co-writers – his name constantly pops up on credits. In the case of his latest single ‘From the Ashes’, taken from Aussie As Vol. II, his co-writer was Col Finley, who himself has an extensive musical history. Finley recorded the song with Scullion, and was meant to join him for this interview but unfortunately couldn’t make it at the last minute. S...2022-10-0823 min
Sunburnt Country MusicInterview with Amber LawrenceAmber Lawrence is an artist from Sydney who has five Golden Guitars and has just released her seventh studio album, Living for the Highlights, and it’s safe to say that she is one of those artists who consistently produces music that is worth listening to. What’s also safe to say is that Living for the Highlights is one of the most thoughtful and sometimes magical responses to the world we’ve all lived in over the past two and a bit years. When we spoke recently about her new album I wanted to take a different approach: song by s...2022-10-0837 min
INSIDECOP26INSIDE: COP26 Day 3 - w/Mairi McAllan MSP / Alexandre Antonelli / Coalition 26 / Tori Tsui / Jacinta Hamley / Patti SmithBLUE + POLITICS - Saleemul HuqGREEN + FRINGE - Mairi McAllan MSP - Scottish Minister for Environment and Land Reform; Alexandre Antonelli - Kew Gardens; Graeme Eddolls - Coalition 26; Tori Tsui and Jacinta Hamley in conversation. Laurence Freeman; and Benedictine monk of Monastery of Sta Maria di Pilastrello.ENO INSIGHTS - Art + NatureMUSIC - Patti SmithSongs: Hot Chip, Cosmo Sheldrake, Patti Smith2021-11-0559 min