Ross Webb highlights simple pleasures in ‘Firebox’

The inspiration for a song can come from anywhere and often simple things that we don’t even think twice about, which is evident in Ross Webb’s new song, ‘Firebox’, released September 28.

Inspired by a simple backyard feature, his firebox, the single talks about the gathering place that has seen the highs and lows of family life.

The NSW Southern Highlands artist had been sitting on the song for about two years after a Luke Combs story song encouraged him to pull out the notepad and write about the firebox he was sitting in front of.

“It is a song literally about a fireplace that I have outside my home which is a real focal point for family and friends when we all get together,” he said.

“We all get carried away about songs that are deeper, but some of the best songs out there are very simple and come from the good things in our lives.”

‘Firebox’ is a country rock track featuring Ross’ trademark gravelly vocals, bringing a raw edge to a song about the memories created around a backyard fire.

Radio and streaming services are already loving the new single, with ‘Firebox’ playlisted on Apple’s New In Country on release week.

The firebox gets a good workout year ’round thanks to the Southern Highlands’ climate. Custom-built by a local tradesman from inch-thick steel, it looks similar to an indoor wood heater but sits outside, and it has been the scene of many life-changing memories.

“Sometimes we need a fire at Christmas time, so it’s seen Christmases, birthday parties and gatherings and all the good and bad things in the family,” Ross said.

For the Bowral local, it was time for another original song, as it had been about three years since his last release.

“I love the process of recording and Syd Green, who plays drums in Kasey Chambers’ band, produced it as he lives not far from us,” he said.

“I wanted to get back in the studio and see where the song ended up and I would now love to get some radio traction.”

The track also features Ben Malone on guitars and keys, Syd Green on drums and Ross on vocals.

“I love the idea of getting some original music out there and seeing what people think of it because if people get a kick out of what I’m doing, I’m pretty happy with life,” he said.

Ray of sunshine from Daniel Reeves’ World Learning

Melbourne singer-songwriter Daniel Reeves brings us World Learning – the song we all need right now.

Written five years ago when he was re-assessing his career and life plans, World Learning could have been written for everyone experiencing life during lockdowns and dealing with a worldwide pandemic.

Daniel wrote World Learning after being on the road for a long time as a professional musician and wanting to re-connect with his friends and family.

 “While friends were celebrating milestones, I was missing them all because I was on the road and I was tired because I couldn’t see very far in front of me at that time, so I came back to Melbourne because I wanted to ground myself and re-connect with them and myself,” he said.

“The way I look at it is you have to close one door to open another and I loved being back with my friends in a place I absolutely loved, which was the Thornbury area, which is renowned for music and art.”

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Cornell & Carr welcomes 2021 with first No. 1 Country Song

The new year is only hours old, but Cornell & Carr have made their mark already, topping two charts with their new single, What Kind Of World, released in the first seconds of 2021.

What Kind Of World hit No. 1 on the iTunes Country Songs Chart and No. 4 on the iTunes All Genres Songs Chart as the duo give 2020 the middle finger with this single released at the stroke of 12.01am on January 1, 2021.

What Kind of World is somewhat of a protest song from the Golden Guitar finalists Matt Cornell and Mike Carr, as they question what sort of world we have created and are leaving for future generations.

This single is the first release from the duo since July 2019, and they’ve come out of the blocks with a thought-provoking, ‘FU’ to the year that’s been.

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Aaron D’Arcy gets a Better Day with chart success

In these often dark times of COVID-19 and parts of the country in lockdown, Melbourne singer-songwriter Aaron D’Arcy is having a Better Day with his new single charting at No. 3 this morning, August 28, on release.

Better Day is a rock-edged country song that has a positive outlook on sometimes challenging situations that has charted at No. 3 on the iTunes Country Songs Chart and No. 35 on the All Genres chart.

Written with Cam Muncey of iconic Australian rock band, Jet, Better Day is a fitting song for the current situation with Victorians forced to stay home, and the news full of doom and gloom.

“With a little bit of positivity, you can look at it and think it’s alright,” Aaron said.

“The positives I’ve tried to take away from COVID is that I get a break from things, I’m doing odd jobs around the house, taking a breath and spending more time with the family.”

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Luke O’Shea and Lyn Bowtell vie for golden trifecta

Luke O’Shea could add to his collection of nine Golden Guitars, after snagging three spots at today’s finalist announcement event in Sydney.

O’Shea released Sing Me A Story, a duet with Lyn Bowtell, in late September, his first release in three years and it is a finalist in APRA AMCOS Song of the Year, Heritage Song of the Year and Vocal Collaboration of the Year. He already has five Heritage Song of the Year Golden Guitars to his name.

The multi-Golden Guitar winner said he was grateful Sing Me A Story has connected so strongly with industry personnel and his country music peers.

“Lyn Bowtell and myself are so very grateful and super appreciative of the support our duet, Sing Me A Story, has received from all aspects of the Australian country music industry,” he said.

“It’s been a long time between drinks for me, personally, and the fact the leading single from my upcoming album has been able to connect with peers and audiences to this extent is very humbling and deeply satisfying.”

O’Shea wrote the song with Felicity Urquhart in front of other songwriters at The DAG Songwriter’s Retreat outside of Nundle and the single heralds a new album for the Sutherland Shire artist.

“A special thanks goes out to the wonderful Felicity Urquhart who I wrote this song with, out at the magnificent DAG Sheep Station Songwriters Retreat and also Sean Rudd who has worked tirelessly on it through it’s many ebbs and flows,” he said.

“It certainly inspires me to keep on keeping on with my aim of singing up this incredible country of ours and I cannot wait to share my upcoming album, There In The Ochre, with you all come the 2020 Tamworth Country Music Festival.”

Luke O’Shea at the announcement of the 2020 Golden Guitar finalists. Photo: Lisa Williams

Rory Ellis finds his Inner Outlaw

“This is a voice that is up there with the very best of them, including the US greats. It aches of life and love, history and memory” – Mike Brady AM.

Rory Ellis unleashes his Inner Outlaw on Friday, October 18 with the release of his ninth studio album.

Inner Outlaw is a collection of 12 tracks of pure Americana, with a touch of Waylonesque attitude that will make your heart sing and your mind wander. It’s dry, minimalist, sometimes appears to fall apart at the seams, but will leave you haunted with a resonance rarely found in modern production.

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Livin’ The Dream hits all the Wright notes

Singer-songwriter Kim Wright is Livin’ The Dream with his debut EP hitting the top of the charts on release.

Released on July 22, Wright’s EP Livin’ The Dream, charted at No. 2 on the iTunes Country Albums Chart and No. 28 on the iTunes All Genres Album Charts and is the realisation of a 20-year goal that began when he started writing songs in his early teens.

The title, Livin’ The Dream, is a motto Wright lives by and is more often than not what will come out of his mouth when you ask how he’s going.

“Every day above ground’s a good one and I believe you should live each day to its fullest,” he said.

“The collection of songs represents that theme in my world.”

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