“Walshe is a storyteller in the classic troubadour tradition. His lyrical style is flamboyant and tricky with a natural flair for wordplay…His epic yarns are fleshed out with the effortless precision expected from an accomplished team of musicians with an extensive bag of tricks. The resultant sound is full and meaty, part campfire hoedown, part Ryan Adams-style pining acoustics; with Rhyll Wilson’s vocals providing an appreciated delicacy to Walshe’s heavy twang.” Drum Media
Since the release of their debut album, The Man Without a Bag, in late 2007, relentless gigging has earned this folk-country extravaganza a reputation for fine songwriting and explosive live shows, particularly in their hometown of Fremantle. Their song Love Machine, described by Brisbane's Time Off Magazine as“An hilarious five-minute rambling about sexual escapades all over town. And while that may sound horribly cheesy, it refuses to be reduced to such ground due to Walshe's lyrical wit,” earned a WAMI Song of the Year Nomination and still receives generous airplay on radio stations around the country and ravenous requests at gigs.
The Folk Machine's forthcoming album, Walking to China (due out in Feb 2010), though still featuring Justin's uniquely eccentric take on the everyday, also shows a significant departure in style to include a large contingent of tales about shipwrecks, convicts and colonial (un)settlement from Australia's past. As a result they were recently featured in an article in The Weekend Australian as being one of the forerunners in an Australian folk revival. And with guest appearances by some of Australia's finest including Alex Burkoy (Tinpan Orange) on violin, Gavin Shoesmith (John Butler, The Groovesmiths) on double bass and Dave Johnson (Carus, The Fling) on mandolin accompanying The Folk Machine's rock-solid core of Craig Sinclair (slide guitars, harmonies), Rhyll Wilson (harmonies, ukelele) and the bearded one himself singing and dancing, the album promises something special.
Over the past 12 months The Folk Machine performed at the WAMI Festival in Perth and have shared stages with many of the country's major roots acts such as Wagons, Tinpan Orange, The Kill Devil Hills, The Huckleberry Swedes, Khancoban, Downhills Home, Clinkerfield, and The Handsome Young Strangers among others in various parts of the country. They're also looking forward to shows with Don Walker (Cold Chisel), Paul Greene and Ramblin' Van Walker in coming months. And with the imminent national release of their single (Pockets Full of Gold / Miss Whisky) in October and subsequent East and West Coast Tours in November, things are heating up.
The Justin Walshe Folk Machine take you on a foot-stomping journey from the quiet introspection of folk to the wilds of gospel-infused country rock with feet firmly rooted in Australian soil. Adorned with three part harmonies to melt your heart and desert-bound slide guitar to melt your face, their epic yarns deal with the idiosyncrasies of Australia's past and the idiocy of Justin's present. They keep folk music alive in the front bar and keep the pages turning by the fire. If Louden Wainwright and The Bushwackers had a son together, he'd love The Justin Walshe Folk Machine.
Reviews and Quotes...
“But no better way to be awoken from a surreal trance like this, than by some straight down the line folk rock led by The Justin Walshe Folk Machine. The bearded one is the consummate showman and loosened up the dozy congregation, with plenty of minor based 4 chord progressions and narrations of Australia. Craig Sinclair is a fine guitarist and his precise skills with the slide were met with a renewed engagement from the crowd. The warm 3 piece harmonies ‘The Machine’ produced could have done with a better mix though, as Walshe’s commanding vocals were often too dominant. But this isn’t much to complain about in the context of the set, especially with highlights such as Phoebe Corke absolutely shredding on the fiddle and a sensitive, reflective little ditty known as Intergalactic Love Machine.”
Faster Louder
“…F$%in’ Rad!... So too were The Justin Walshe Folk Machine… Sporting an ensemble of great creative players, The Folk Machine rolled out epic, lyric-heavy Australian ballads that brought a touch of 'home' to an American themed bar.”
Xpress Magazine
On Love Machine: "Catchy as the clap, one of the best australian songs ever written, well done to J Walshe and The Folk Machine, a mix of Cab Calloway and Henry Lawson. Mick Thomas should be losing sleep."
The Murdermouse Blues Band
“Justin is a highly charismatic character, whether performing or speaking dryly to the audience.”
Xpress Magazine
“Truly a gifted singer and songwriter... For those in need of some renewed faith in life.”
Beat Magazine
Hey there me hearties! Put your water aside and get some rum handy. Arr! We have uploaded our new sea shanties just for your adventurous listening! Yo ho ho!
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Christian
Founder of HelpCharity Editor & Journalist for Country Music Christian Lamitschka An der Pfingstweide 28 61118 Bad Vilbel Germany Phone: ++49 (0) 6101 544613 Mobil: ++49 (0) 171 6903352 E-Mail: Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de Internet: www.MySpace.com/HelpCharity Internet: www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka
Hey Folk boy. Your recordings sound really good. Clear and great producing. Where did you do them? have you left Fremantle since arriving in that lovely place??
Finding pots of gold everywhere i go everywhere i go! . . . Yihaa, alls looking good, im excited about the road ahead. i start my journey southbound in two days, the lost boy will try to stick to this plan . .. . HaGGis to ye old mate. J
It's a musical fruit salad! If the washboard is the peaches, Rhyll's backing vocals are the fluorescent cherries! And I guess that makes Justin the pears and Craig the syrup - by that I mean ubiquitous but irreplaceable:)
Hey Justin, we heard you play Pockets Full Of Gold on RTR radiothon and we loved it then, but it's sounding awesome with the full production. Well done! When can we get the new album? Cos we've worn out The Man Without A Bag!
Today I like to inform you, that you can read and watch interviews with your favorit country stars in Enlgish, German and French at http://www.CountryHome.de/Interviews .
Warm regards
Christian
Editor & Journalist for Country Music Christian Lamitschka An der Pfingstweide 28 61118 Bad Vilbel Germany Phone: ++49 6101 544613 Mobil: ++49 171 6903352 Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de Info@CountryMusic-Magazin.de www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka
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