At The Basement – a monthly review of the best Australian Alternative Country, Americana, Roots & Folk. Lost Highway Records has been home to some of the biggest and best names in the world of Americana and Alt Country, including Ryan Adams, Lucinda Williams, Johnny Cash and The Jayhawks. Once a month, in collaboration with Country & Inner Western, they’ll now be bringing you some of the best Australian artists in this genre. May 20 stars Catherine Britt, Amber Rae Slade & The Mighty Big Noise, and Katie Brianna – plus special guests.

CATHERINE BRITT

To some people - Tony Abbott, Andr Rieu or the Catholic Church, for instance - change is something to fear, even something to fight. For others, evolution is exhilarating, a process to be embraced and savoured, an essential part of living. Multi-award-winning singer-songwriter Catherine Britt might never call the shots in Canberra or the Vatican, but she is committed to building on the past in order to move forward - passionately, unflinchingly.

"I'd never make the same album twice," Britt says matter-of-factly. "When I get an artist I love's new record, I don't like it if it's the same as another one - I love when they do something brave or different. And I try to live up to what my heroes are doing in that respect."

Anyone who has heard Britt's latest single, "Good To Bad", will know she isn't making idle threats when she talks about "brave or different". Drawing on the best of the singer-songwriter tradition, the track marries a dark atmosphere to a confronting lyric about a depressed young farmer driven to drug-cropping to save his farm. It's a bold departure for an artist who cut her teeth in Nashville, but has been a stunning success, sending a powerful message about the direction of Catherine's next album, Boneshaker. Like that lead single, the new record explodes all preconceptions about Britt, adding impressive grit and irresistible grind to her existing songwriting savvy.

AMBER RAE SLADE & THE MIGHTY BIG NOISE

Born in Detroit, Michigan to a musical family and raised throughout the United States, Amber Rae Slade's introduction to music came early. As a result of her family's capo business, which claims endorsees such as James Taylor, Vince Gill, and Sugarland, the family constantly travelled on tours and festivals across the country.

From her first visit to Nashville in 2005, a place she would soon hang her hat, Amber found ehr musical home and heritage and delved deep into the music of her idols such as Bob Dylan, Robert Johnson, Leadbelly (to name but a few) and through their sound discovered her own. 

After a few years gigging around the music Mecca that is Nashville, Amber's sonic journey took her halfway across the world where she formed a professional and marital relationship with Australian producer and Golden Guitar winner Matt Fell (Sara Storer, John Williamson, Graeme Connors etc).This new partnership has exploded into an exciting and distinct musical force. 

Amber has already secured some major support slots in Sydney and Tamworth and her music is fast gaining the attention of the music industry. 

KATIE BRIANNA

Katie Brianna is a high school drop-out who preferred playing her red Fender electric to going to class. Katie began writing songs as a way to escape her seemingly incurable shyness, and was soon collaborating with some of Australia's finest musicians before her former classmates had even graduated.

It was in 2005 during work on her debut EP with Bill Chambers, when the invitation came from Paul Kelly to record a song he wrote for the ARIA award-winning soundtrack of the Australian film 'Jindabyne'. The release of the song 'Jindabyne Fair' as a single resulted in Katie receiving a finalist nomination in the 2007 CMAA Country Music Awards.

After some early success, Katie took an extended break from performing and recording. She emerged in 2013 with Dark Side Of The Morning, a deeply moving debut LP that meditates on sadness, suburban loneliness and young womanhood. Martin Jones from Rhythms Magazine describes Katie as "One of a very few promising Australian interpreters of Americana music". Her songs move comfortably between rootsy folk, Americana and intelligent pop, with a voice steeped in sorrowful country tones. Katie is currently working on material for the follow up to her debut album.

LOST HIGHWAY PRESENTS: 
Country & Inner Western

May 20
Catherine Britt
Amber Rae Slade & The Mighty Big Noise
Kate Brianna
plus Special Guests
  

DOORS OPEN AT 7.00PM
MUSIC STARTS AFTER DINNER SERVICE AROUND 8:30PM

SET TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE FROM SHOW TO SHOW

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
When General Admission Ticket sales have closed on the day of the show they may still be available at the door on the night.

All patrons must be over the age of 18

Once purchased tickets are non-refundable & non-transferable
(applies to both Standing and Dinner sales)

Please ensure you bring photo ID as proof of age

A booking fee applies to all advance tickets. (All quoted prices include tax).

Dress is Smart/Casual at Manager's discretion. No thongs.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Basement has very limited accessibility for patrons with disabilities, however please contact the venue to ensure there is adequate availability for you to enjoy the show comfortably and they can advise on the recommended seating options.

RESTAURANT (GREEN ROOM BAR) OPENING TIMES
DINNER: Tues - Sat (6pm - Late)

NOTE: Restaurant Hours are subject to venue/function bookings.