On this show we pay tribute to the late Grant McLennan co-songwriter with The Go-Betweens as 6 May is the 19 year anniversary of his sudden passing. There are 3 of my fave songs of his and Go Betweens - as well as a key song from each of his 4 solo albums. The 3 songs are 'Head Full Of Steam' (1986), 'Black Mule' (1991) and 'Bye Bye Pride' (1987). The first of these was technically written by McLennan's songwriting partner Robert Forster, Black Mule was actually a McLennan solo project track from his debut album 'Watershed' that would go on to become a staple in the reformed line-up's live sets. For me 'Bye Bye Pride' stands head and shoulders above everything this band did - and they did some gorgeous work. Amanda Brown's oboe work on this track is simply stunning. Elsewhere we have new material from Canadian folkies The East Pointers, Christchurch's Yumi Zouma, Melbourne livelooping indigenous sister act Charlie Needs Braces, Omaha's Bright Eyes teaming up with fellow locals Cursive, Canberra's Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Asheville NC's Indigo De Souza, North-East Vic's RIFF (aka Riff aFerguson), Connecticut' jammers Goose, London indie-folksters lilo, Auckland power popsters The Beths and Melbourne alt-country artist Lachlan Bryan teaming up with the folky Joyce Prescher. Oh and to kick off proceedings we turn to Billy Bragg 'mixing pop and politics'
Playlist here