Spending much of her early life on the desolate Nullarbor Plain with her musical family gave Chambers a true-blue Australian upbringing few can match. On this, her Stateside breakthrough, Chambers shows she knows how to put all the heartache to words. But while some of the words are from the land of Oz, the sound is pure Americana.
Buy Amazon
Up All Night The Waifs 2003 [Jarrah]
Except for their unmistakable Aussie accents, alt-folk trio the Waifs would probably be taken for locals in any Austin bar - just listen to 'Flesh and Blood' or 'Three Down' for all the proof needed. The American release of this record contains their best, including the underground hit 'Lighthouse' and homesick ballad 'London Still'.
Buy Amazon
Feeler Pete Murray 2003 [Sony Australia]
Folksy singer-songwriter Pete Murray, already a big hit in Australia, gained a modicum of success internationally with this solid effort. It was the single 'So Beautiful' that put him over the top, with plenty of alternative-radio airplay taking full advantage of the popularity of organic roots-rock in his homeland. Not spectacular, but nice.
Buy Amazon
Solace Xavier Rudd 2004 [Salt.X]
Another surfer-set folkie, Solace is Australian Xavier Rudd's first stateside release. On 'G.B.A.' he proves his mastery of the Aboriginal didgeridoo, which he learned to play by practising on a vacuum cleaner hose. An all original set except for the superb cover version of Bob Marley's 'No Woman, No Cry'. Unique Australian folkish music.
Buy Amazon
Learn Yourself The Beautiful Girls 2004 [San Dumo]
Learn Yourself sounds a bit like Calexico meeting Ben Harper in an outback pub and deciding to play some Jack Johnson. These guys aren't beautiful and they're not even girls, but they make exceptionally attractive roots music in a very basic guitar/bass/drums trio format. Songwriting duties are capably handled by guitarist Mat McHugh.
Sunrise Over the Sea The John Butler Trio 2004 [Jarrah]
Born in California, John Butler is fond of telling people how much he loves Australia because that's where his roots are. He describes the music here as "the blues/country/folk/reggae thing". Slide wizard and master banjo fingerpicker, Butler's in-your-face politics has long been a feature of his music. Great roots rockin' with plenty of softer moments.
Buy Amazon
Foggy Highway Paul Kelly & the Stormwater Boys 2005 [Gawd Aggie]
Topnotch singer/songwriter renown in Australia for his popular 1980s albums. From there Kelly has charted a varied course that occasionally sees him stray into folk territory. For Foggy Highway he assembles some of Australia's best for a bluegrass workout that rivals anything going in the American mainstream. Sometimes lonesome, never weary.
Buy Amazon
Between Last Night and Us The Audreys 2006 [ABC]
Winner of the prestigious 2006 ARIA award for Best Blues & Roots Album, South Australia's The Audreys deserve every plaudit they get and more. Fronted by the sultry tones of Taasha Coates, the music is a rootsy mix of folk-grunge, Oz-grass and country-blues. Classy outfit likely due for some significant international recognition.
