Every week, ABC Country’s Grass Roots program shines a light on the best independently released country music. Selected from the hundreds of new tracks submitted, the one-hour program is now available on demand as well as premiering each Monday at 9 pm on ABC Country, showing the health of Aussie country music across all its sub-genres. Here are three of this week's tracks you should have on your radar. 

Head here to have a listen to this week’s full episode of Grass Roots.

Sammy Snide - Jack

Sammy Snide’s affecting new song, Jack, is a song of reflection.

Featuring his unmistakable vocal delivery and haunting instrumentation, Snide pays tribute to a lost friend while taking listeners through the streets of Brisbane, Newcastle, and Fremantle – cities Australian listeners will know well.

Not only ruminating on loss, Jack is a song that puts substance abuse and homelessness in the spotlight, highlighting serious social topics with nuance and humanity. The song sees Snide exploring place, memory, and social reflection—fascinating topics for any songwriter.

Jack found Snide team up with ABC Country favourite JB Paterson, who recorded and produced the track. “I feel like we all have a Jack in our lives,” Snide notes, and that’s the sad fact of the single.

Wade Forster - Last Of A Dying Breed

Wade Forster proves why he’s one of Australia’s most beloved country artists with the authentic, moving single, Last Of A Dying Breed. The single arrives as Forster experiences a breakout year, with unprecedented demand for his first-ever US headlining tour.

An anthem for real-deal cowboys, the single showcases Forster’s storytelling wit and charm, featuring fiddle, guitar, and drums, making for a modern-day country classic that draws from the hits of previous decades and puts a fresh spin on them.

Last Of A Dying Breed features Forster’s signature style: honest, raw, and uncompromising. He grew up in red dirt, and he takes listeners right there with him.

“People throw around the term ‘cowboy’ like it’s just a label,” Forster commented. “But it’s not—it’s something you earn. That’s why real cowboys are the last of a dying breed.”

Genevieve Chadwick - Painless

Painless isn’t just the name of Genevieve Chadwick’s new single; it’s also how one feels while listening to her music.

A unique blend of Americana, roots, and rock music, the Newcastle-based blues meets country artist recently released her third album, Best Left For The Willing. Painless is just one example of the music she has on offer: a roaring chorus, energetic verses backed by acoustic guitars and drums, harmonies, and rocking melodies.

Listening to Chadwick is like hearing the combination of Janis Joplin's rock ‘n’ roll vocals and Sheryl Crow—a completely enthralling experience. Painless and Best Left For The Willing find Chadwick working with an all-star ensemble of musicians, including Syd Green, Mick Malouf, and renowned guitarist Pete Cornelius.

You can listen to the latest full episode of ABC Country’s Grass Roots here.