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Next up were four-sixths of The Justin Walshe Folk Machine, performing sans-drummer and additional guitarist, which still left an abundance of sounds including an upright bass, ukelele, and the groups first performance with an autoharp.
The three-way harmonies were the highlight of the set - frontman Justin, slide guitarist Craig, and multi-instrumentalist Rhyll's voices blending distinctly and perfectly during their country-ish crooning.
Justin is a highly charismatic character, whether performing or speaking dryly to the audience...
Perri Bastian - Xpress Magazine
Formerly of Melbourne and now fanatically devoted to Fremantle, aspiring Troubadour Justin Walshe fronts yet another humorously titled country/folk Perthonality supergroup. Supported musically by a quality cast that includes members of The Kill Devil Hills, One Horse Town and The Dave Mann Collective (among others), Man Without a Bag spans Walshe’s entire emotional catalogue, from crass and sassy to deep and meaningful, occasionally within the same instance.
Walshe is a storyteller in the classic troubadour tradition and he does so at length, in an almost overstated Australian drawl. Opening with the two most ribald of his tales, The Biggest Libido and (intergalactic) Love Machine, Walshe careens quickly into lovesick territory with a brief stopover in Australian outback angst. His lyrical style is flamboyant and tricky with a natural flair for wordplay.
Recorded in a mostly live capacity, 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 and part Ryan Adams-style pining acoustics; with Rhyll Wilson’s vocals providing an appreciated delicacy to Walshe’s heavy twang. - Drum Media
Not much beats the feeling one gets when taking a punt on the unknown and coming up trumps, which is exactly what'll happen to anyone willing to track down Fremantle/Melbourne-based folk/country quintet The Justin Walshe Folk Machine. Taken from their debut album The Man Without A Bag, 'Love Machine' is a 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. Proving they can also be serious, equally impressive B-sides 'Without You Around' and 'Bark River' are in turn touching and haunting country ballads. (JG)
- Time Off Magazine
Discography
Single "Pockets Full of Gold / Miss Whisky" released October 2009.
Debut Album "The Man Without a Bag" released October 2007.
"Love Machine" can be found on the 2007 WAMI Compilation CD.
Photos
Bio
“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 Winter 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, Don Walker, The Huckleberry Swedes, Khancoban, Downhills Home, Clinkerfield, and The Handsome Young Strangers among many others in various parts of the country. The first taste of the new album, the single "Pockets Full of Gold / Miss Whisky" was released in October 09 receiving rave reviews. With tours abounding, catch the Machine when it rolls into your town soon.
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
For more information and up to the minute gig listings visit www.myspace.com/justinwalshe
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