Here's Five: Josh Rennie-Hynes

Australian alt-country musician Josh Rennie-Hynes is once again stepping foot on New Zealand soil, this time to perform at the Southern Fork Americana Fest alongside compatriot Liam Gerner. Then following his joint appearance the festival, Rennie-Hynes is making tracks around the country for a solo five-date tour in support of his recently released sophomore album Furthermore, which was laid down at his family farm in Queenstown in late 2015. In anticipation of his visit, we asked Josh to share some of the songs that have inspired him over the last year, and here's what he came up with...   

1. William Crighton - '2000 Clicks'
This is one of my favourite Australian songs in recent memory; great imagery, storytelling and his debut album is killer. It sounds like something I would have heard on the radio when I was a kid, effortlessly nestled in among some of Australia's quintessential classic rock songs from bands like Cold Chisel. He's also a powerhouse performer, do yourself a favour and check him out.

2. Tom Petty - 'Echo'
I've become obsessed with Tom Petty in the last year, going right back through his catalogue. I really like Echo as an Album, it's the dark horse in my opinion. Petty was going through a divorce while making the album and battling some real demons, as was the bass player, Howie Epstein, who not long after died from a heroine overdose. Knowing all of this changed my perspective and the way I listened to this album, the pain in the songs become more real and this song really captures that.

3. Gregory Alan Isakov - 'Amsterdam'
I've been listening to The Weatherman by Gregory Alan Isakov for over a year now and I'm still not tired of it. It's such a warm and organic sounding album and the production is beautiful. 'Amsterdam' was the first song I heard from it and I still drift away when I hear it. If you're doing a road trip anywhere, I recommend putting this album on and letting it play from start to finish.

4. The I Don't Cares - Hands Together
Paul Westerberg (of the Replacements) teamed up with Juliana Hatfield and put out an album called 'Wild Stab'. They recorded the whole album in Westerberg's basement and it's got some real gems on it. 'Hands Together' is my favourite; it's Westerberg at his bumbling, daydreaming, stream of consciousness best. His voice or songwriting isn't for everyone, but I love him to death.

5. Willie Nelson - Angel Flying To close to the Ground
I've listened to Willie Nelson but not actually 'listened' to Willie Nelson. This song stopped me in my Tracks when I first heard it, and made me a little embarrassed that I hadn't already. There's not much that I can say about Willie that hasn't already been said. His Vibrato control on this song is particularly great.

Josh Rennie-Hynes will be performing alongside Liam Gerner at the Southern Fork Americana Fest tomorrow evening, Thursday 13th October. And following that he is undertaking a five date tour around the country. See below for details and to buy tickets.