For The DAG Sheep Station proprietor John Krsulja (aka Johnny K), Travellin’ is his debut into the recording world.

Having travelled extensively as a younger man, John and wife Belinda found “our place of dreamin’ ... acres in the country, a quiet life in a village community ...” 

Inspired by all the singer-songwriters that have graced the stage of his award-winning venue, John took up his guitar again and started writing songs about his life to date.

The result is Travellin’ – a collection of raw, honest pieces of work, with four of the 13 tracks written more than 20 years ago and reworked with John’s good friend, collaborator and producer, Karl Broadie.

Although John’s isn’t a classically- trained voice, he’s found a depth from which to deliver the songs in an honest, tuneful style.

“In a world where authenticity is in short supply and the music biz awash with fakery on all sides, John Krsulja’s debut album Travellin’ arrives as a welcome blast of honesty and integrity” was how musician Michael Roberts described the release. 

I’m very much inclined to agree with his wise summation of the disc. It’s raw ...  a little rough around the edges ... but you’ll find some true gems among the offerings fresh from this writer’s pen.

In A Heartbeat, the hauntingly beautiful first single from the album, will be released to radio tomorrow. It’s just one of those treasures to be found on the disc.

A divine duet with the soulful, sultry-voiced Katie Brianna, it’s based on a true story and was co-written by John, Luke O’Shea, Lachlan Bryan and Kerrie Garside.

My favourite track is Old Man’s Shed, a song I’ve heard John sing many times, and I’m so pleased it was included on the album.

You can’t help but smile to yourself when he gets to the punch line.

This Travellin’ man has lots of stories to tell. I just hope he seizes the opportunity to share more of them with us – perhaps not waiting 20-odd years to get around to it next time. 

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LAST night at Bella Union in Melbourne, Nundle’s singing chef Toni Swain launched her new album, Deepest Water.

A follow-up to her eight-track debut, The Red Shed, this is 12 tracks of vocal gymnastics few could ever hope to achieve.

“Soul, R’n’B and jazz singers all strain for that money shot, the clear, clarion note that graces a song, that gives it that final, killer touch. Toni Swain delivers that all the way through every song when she performs. Her voice and bearing are those of an old-fashioned chanteuse of the highest order ...” wrote Mick Daley (The Re-Mains).

Swaino said it took her 10 years to write eight songs for her first album, yet in the past 12 months she’s written more than 20. Obviously, Nundle is an inspiring place to write songs.

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Michael Lynch at his bespoke studio in a cow paddock at Beechwood, NSW, and skilfully accompanied by Roy Payne (guitar), George Brugmans (drums), Mike Rix (double bass) and George Bibicos (keyboards), Deepest Water moves forward into a stylish and sophisticated fusion of soul, jazz and R’n’B with Toni’s songwriting skills really hitting home.

The disc was recorded over three days “old-school style” – the whole band playing live with the best takes making the cut.

Listen to the words and you’ll hear real-life experience, heartache, pure joy and so much more.

She could cut it in any arena, but in recent years has focused her considerable energies on growing her culinary business, Picket Fence Produce, along with raising two beautiful boys.

With this new release, it looks like the kitchen will have to wait, as stages across Australia are calling this former West Coast diva.

She’s making new friends and fans wherever she goes.

3SER Melbourne radio presenter Bones Mackinnon gives us an insight into what the crowd at Bella Union would have been treated to last night:

“Few performers in Australia can match Toni Swain ... her musicianship and stage presence is awesome enough; then, there’s her voice which reaches right in and grabs you by the heart and soul. Her sets are built around solid rhythms that rollick and sway, while the songs provide a distinctive spotlight on everyday life. She is that good, she makes it look easy.”

Keep up with Toni Swain’s busy agenda at www.toniswain.com