Sunburnt Country Music

‘You’ve just got to love what you do and really believe in what you’re doing for yourself, and if you do that, that’s where your fulfilment comes from.’Sydney-based, Orange-raised country-rock artist James Keith says that at a certain point in our latest interview, and it was clear that it wasn’t just words to him, especially as we talked in detail about the changes he’s made in his life over recent months. Keith is by no means a practitioner of toxic positivity – he’s come to this view of life by working on himself and making changes – and it was great to have the chance to find out how those changes have taken effect.One way was in his being named a 2025 Toyota Star Maker Grand Finalist, and we talked about the competition. We also spoke about his single, ‘She Don’t, his work with producer Matt Fell as he starts to put together his next album (after releasing Life is Good Today last year), and his upcoming song releases.In between writing, recording and performing, Keith also runs a business in Sydney, and he was on the premises as we chatted, so it seemed logical to ask him a bit about that too.We end by talking about Tony Robbins, whose work has had a profound influence on Keith. Robbins is (in)famous for having people walk over hot coals at his seminars. Has James Keith done it? You’ll have to watch/listen to find out …Listen to James Keith on Apple MusicListen to James Keith on Spotify

Bianca Joulianou is an artist from Sydney who released her first single, ‘Fool’, in 2022. Since then she has been performing live, sharing stages with artists such as Dylan Wright and Shannon Noll. She has a new single, ‘Gambling Man’, which contains a story close to her life and heart.Joulianou began performing about five years ago, at a small pub in western Sydney, after teaching herself guitar to accompany her singing. Despite not coming from a musical family, their father's love for country music played a role in shaping their musical tastes.As Joulianou told me in our recent interview, she began writing songs at the age of 16; the loss of her grandfather prompted her to be vulnerable in her songs and she hasn’t resiled from it since. ‘Gambling Man’ is an example of this, as it draws on her partner's past struggles with gambling and is a story of resilience and redemption.‘I kind of wanted to write something that I could sing to him,’ says Jouliaou, ‘and he would be like, wow, look at what we've done. Look at what we've done together. This was our journey, and you've just written a song about it.’By day Joulianou is a mental health support worker, and she has found inspiration for her songs in that work. And once she has an idea for a song, it’s all-encompassing.‘When an idea comes to my head,’ she says, ‘I'm there all day … I can't move. I don't get hungry, I don't get thirsty. I'm just there, just writing.’   Joulianou performs as often as she can in and around Sydney, and you can next find her on 7 June 2025 at the Forever 21 Hoedown Throwdown in Picton, headlined by Missy Lancaster. Tickets available here.Listen to ‘Gambling Man’ on Apple MusicListen to ‘Gambling Man’ on Spotify

So here’s the truth about being an amateur music journo with a demanding full-time job: sometimes I just don’t have time to publish things when I should. With all the best will in the world, I don’t have time to make the assets, create the video file, create the audio file, write the accompanying text and do the clips, then publish across several platforms so that I can publish the interview close to recording date. This is why my interview with Sons of Atticus is coming to you after they’ve released their new single, ‘Be Set Free’ – which is relevant because in this interview they announce that they’ll have a new single. But, hey, maybe that means I’m right on time? Now you don’t have to wait for the single! In case you don’t know them, Sons of Atticus are two musicians named Matt Joyce and Dylan Wright. According to their Instagram bio they are ‘just a couple buddies trying to make country music’ – and it’s safe to say they are succeeding. They released the album Jacks Motel in 2021, the EP Cedar Creek in 2023, and this year they released the single, ‘Tennessee Tipsy’, and of course they now have the new one.I last interviewed them as a pair two years ago; I interviewed Wright last year after he won Australian Idol. At the time he told me that Joyce would be joining him on his post-Idol tour as he couldn’t imagine doing it without him. That’s because these two have been making music together for years now and their bond is incredibly solid, as you’ll see in this interview and also hear in their music. There is an ease in their songs which shows – rather than tells – how they work together. Wright’s voice, all warmth and strength, works with Joyce’s guitar, with its vigour and freshness. The way music is created is always mysterious, in that you could break down a song or album to components and offer them to someone else and a completely different work would emerge. There’s magic to it, both live and recorded. Sons of Atticus clearly had that magic within their duo when I first spoke to them and they have it still. Given all the change that Idol has brought to both of them, that’s harder to achieve than it looks from the outside. My sense as to why is because it always comes back to the music: that’s what brought them together, it’s what they love to do together, and they’re still only gathering steam. So the track ahead will be well worth us all following. Listen to Sons of Atticus on Apple MusicListen to Sons of Atticus on Spotify

When Gold Coast country-pop artist Chloe Styler released her debut single, ‘When Your Light Burns’, in 2018, I was so taken with it that I wrote a piece about it. That year Styler was a grand finalist in the 39th Annual Toyota Star Maker competition. She had already attended the Junior and Senior Academy of Country Music, so the trajectory to Star Maker was not surprising – the Academy is a professional development organisation with few peers in Australian music. So the quality of that first single shouldn’t have been a surprise but, still, it was impressive.What became noticeable as Styler released successive singles ‘Patient Heart’ and ‘Sweden’ was that the first wasn’t a fluke – and also that she was developing an aesthetic for her cover art. This aesthetic evolved as she continued to release singles and her EPs, Side A (2022) and Side B (2023). As did her songwriting: with the release of the single ‘Hometownless’ in 2023 she signified that she was prepared to explore a certain whimsy with language, and the aesthetic went in tandem with that.Why am I mentioning the aesthetic? Because it’s part of Styler’s artistry, and we have spoken before about her interest in costume (for stage) and clothes (for videos and photos) and how she is consciously developing that aesthetic, often with the help of her sister, Amy, who is her photographer and videographer. In an era where the visual branding of an artist is more important than ever, it is smart of her to pay attention to this and it works because it’s authentic to her.Styler has been awarded for her music,  taking home Breakout Artist of the Year at the 2024 Gold Coast Music Awards, and she is very much focused on developing as a songwriter and performer, spending time in Nashville for both.So I was interested to have a longer chat with her than usual, because she is intelligent and thoughtful and it was a good chance to delve deeper into her artistry. Therefore this is a ‘deep dive’ interview, the second I’ve done (the first was with Nathan Lamont), and Styler and I also spoke about her latest single, ‘Love in a Bubble’.I’m fascinated to see where she goes next in her music and her life – the progression has been so strong till now, and she has put everything in place for that to continue. Listen to Chloe Styler on Apple MusicListen to Chloe Styler on Spotify

I’m fairly sure that Brisbane-based country-rock-blues artist Delilah Rose is incapable of being uninteresting. We have spoken before – around the time of the release of her album Moxie – and she was clearly passionate about not only making art but connecting with others who are doing the same. And, indeed, about creating a community for that – which is what led her to start The Song Café in Brisbane, which is still going strong at The Cave Inn in Woolloongabba each month and features four songwriters in the round. Delilah grew up on the land in the Western Australian wheat belt and has only recently relocated to the east coast. We started off talking about where the good coffee is in Brisbane, then moved on to discussing the genesis of her latest single, ‘Sophia’, which is an exploration of faith, individuality, and the divine feminine. Her spirituality has now definitely evolved away from the religion she was brought up in, and the song captures how she has developed her own sense of faith. In some ways this interview documents a quest, and the quest narrative is an archetype, which is fitting, given that it was Delilah’s interest in the divine feminine that led her along a life and creative path that has resulted in this song and the album she is planning to follow it. Indeed, it documents more than one quest: an artist in search of the divine, and of herself, and of a community. Where Delilah differs to some who seek, she sets out to find and applies herself to the finding. The seeking is not the point, of course – we can all say we seek. Committing to the quest and seeing it through is noble and inspiring, and that’s what I find her to be.Listen to Delilah Rose on Apple MusicListen to Delilah Rose on SpotifySunburnt Country Music:InstagramFacebook YouTubewebsite 

Savanah Solomon’s first musical foray was as the frontwoman for country-rock band Savanah and the Strays; the band released an album which saw them become finalists in the West Australian Country Music Awards. After four years Solomon went solo, releasing the EP Where the River Meets the Sea in 2023. Solomon then took a break from music and she has now returned in style, with the single ‘Magnolias’, which was inspired partly by the movie Steel Magnolias (which stars Dolly Parton, amongst others) and by her grandmother, Helen Sturgeon. ‘I just love the sentiment of a steel magnolia,’ says Solomon in our interview. ‘They're as tough as steel, but they're as beautiful as these magnolias.’When we spoke it became clear quickly that Solomon is herself quite a force; she is passionately creative and curious about the world, combining her musical life with her work as a grader operator at a remote ore mine, her FIFO work schedule allowing her to commit blocks of time to music.‘I'm always trying to live my best life because we've only got this one wild life, so why not?’ she says.Songwriting is at the core of Solomon’s creative life – ‘I take great pride in my songwriting’ she says ‘That's like my huge passion. If I could just get paid to do that all the time, I would just write songs.’She understands too the impact her creative work can have.‘You really don't realise how many people you're touching as an artist,’ she says. ‘There could be someone having a really bad day, and they might just flick it on and hear my song, and it might just give them that spark for the day to keep on going.’There is every chance that ‘Magnolias’ will be that song for many people, and Solomon’s previous releases are also worth exploring. It was a pleasure to talk to this talented artist who has quite a story to tell, in song and in this interview. Listen to Savanah Solomon on Apple MusicListen to Savanah Solomon on SpotifySunburnt Country Music:InstagramFacebook YouTubewebsite 

Tracks mentioned in this episode:Kirsty Lee Akers – ‘Marlboro Man’Two-time Golden Guitar winner Kirsty Lee Akers returns with ‘Marlboro Man’, co-written in Nashville with Hall of Fame songwriter Byron Hill. The track explores the bittersweet nature of falling for someone who ultimately doesn't stay. Kirsty produced the song alongside Paul Bain, with background vocals by Melody Pool. Her previous release was ‘Girls Are Why the West is Wild’.Ruby Shay – ‘Our Blue Home’Central Coast NSW artist Ruby Shay releases ‘Our Blue Home’, the final single from her debut album Hitch a Ride. The song, a live favourite at her shows, explores the ups and downs of long-term relationships with humour and warmth. Ruby has been making waves since her first single ‘Sinner’ in late 2023 with her band The Red Horse.Jimbo Stokes – ‘Made Up Mine’Scone’s Jimbo Stokes, known for his opera-trained vocals, delivers ‘Made Up Mine’, a track with attitude that addresses the frustration of mixed messages in relationships. Co-written with Phil Barton and produced by Jacky McCormack, this follows his highest-streaming single ‘Hold On Let’s Go’ and a sold-out Tamworth Country Music Festival show earlier this year.Piper Butcher – ‘Start of Something’Newcastle artist Piper Butcher releases ‘Start of Something’, the title track from her second EP. The single blends 70s country rock with modern storytelling elements, and was co-produced by Kasey Chambers and Brandon Dodd at Rabbit Hole Recording Studios. Loren Ryan – ‘LIL BIT KNTRY’Loren Ryan's new single ‘LIL BIT KNTRY’ tackles the question ‘What even is Country Music?’ With nods to Beyonce’s recent country album, the track features acoustic guitar, banjo, and a 90s energy reminiscent of Shania Twain and The Chicks. It was written with Michael DeLorenzis of MSquared in Melbourne.Josie – ‘Nothin’ Without Truckin’’Following her breakout hit ‘Freight Man’ (5+ million TikTok views), Josie returns with ‘Nothin’ Without Truckin’’, a tribute to Australia's truck drivers. Inspired by her childhood around road trains and recent natural disasters in North Queensland, the song highlights the essential role of truckers. It was produced by Michael Paynter and Michael Delorenzis of MSquared.Hazel & The Thief – ‘Willing To Try’Alt-country act Hazel & The Thief present ‘Willing To Try’, a rock ballad about feeling unseen and unheard in relationships. Written by vocalist Hazel and produced by award-winning Matt Fell, the track features Ollie Thorpe on lead guitar. The single paves the way for a series of releases leading to a full album later this year.Sweet Talk – ‘Stoned in Texas, Queensland’Melbourne six-piece southern-boogie band Sweet Talk have announced their debut album Switch On (May 23) and released the single ‘Stoned in Texas, Queensland’. Known for their 70s grooves and improvised jams, the band has performed at major festivals including Bluesfest, where Kasey Chambers joined them onstage. They’re on tour with American act Red Clay Strays in May.Savanah Solomon – ‘Magnolias’Recent winner of Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2024 Western Australian Country Music Awards, Savanah Solomon has released the single ‘Magnolias’. The alt-country track pays tribute to the strong women in Solomon’s family, particularly her grandmother, and draws inspiration from the film Steel Magnolias. 

Perth duo Scarlet’s Way – whose members are Katey Gabel (vocals) and Shayne Savic (guitar) – are one of the busiest acts in music, not just in their home town but, as I found out during our recent interview, on the high seas too! Not to mention at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, where they spent several days this year performing as well as cementing connections made at previous festivals.Their travel came in handy for their latest EP, Scarlet’s Way 3, as they wrote the songs while driving across the Nullarbor Plain. The EP was then recorded at their home studio. You’ll only hear those songs, though, if you buy a physical copy of the EP – and that’s a decision we discuss in this chat. Just as I was wrapping up the interview – or thought I was – I spotted a word on Gabel’s T-shirt that intrigued me. It turned out the slogan on the top was ‘I run on insulin and Diet Coke’. Figuring she wouldn’t have that on a T-shirt unless she was, in all likelihood, a diabetic, I asked her about it, and this led to Gabel talking about how she has managed her type 1 diabetes over her time as a performer. I’ve interviewed Scarlet’s Way before but we’ve never spoken about that, and it adds an important dimension to the band’s story.So in case you need an incentive to watch/listen to the end … I very much hope you stick around for that story!Listen to Scarlet’s Way on Apple Music         Listen to Scarlet’s Way on SpotifySunburnt Country Music:InstagramFacebook YouTubewebsite 

When I saw on the Instagram page of Central West NSW artist Chloe Swannell that she was playing a bass – something that I hadn’t noticed her playing before – I decided to ask her about it when we had an interview for her latest single, ‘Loves’ a Lil’ Bit’. There was no way to know the story that would unfold about what led to her learning that instrument in what has to be record time, nor the other stories that would come from asking her about it. In short: Swannell has had – and continues to have – a life full of rural danger (in this case, a serious hand injury caused by a horse) that is also rich in both creating and teaching music. She learnt the bass quickly because she had to; her ability to do so arose from the fact that she’s a seriously accomplished musician. Swannell’s passion for music is evident in the music she’s released, including her latest single, ‘Loves’ a Lil’ Bit’, which is about the different ways to love.‘We all sat there,’ says Swannell about writing with her producer Tarquin Halls-Corbett, ‘and we went around the room and we wrote down what we loved. And for me it's my favourite farm boots. It's watching a man in a suit come down the aisle, waiting for his bride on a wedding day. For Tarquin, it's hanging around the campfire with me and [band mate] Izzy. ‘So we wrote all these things down and we just worked them into the song. And that's what it's about. It's just about what we love. And we hope that you can find what you love in that as well.’You’ll find out more about Swannell’s music – including her teaching of it – in the chat, and also find out more about her fascinating life. She is clearly not a woman who is deterred by difficulties, driven as she is by her love for music and, fundamentally, making the most of each day.Listen to Chloe Swannell on Apple MusicListen to Chloe Swannell on SpotifySunburnt Country Music:InstagramFacebook YouTubewebsite