James C. Atkins, Gretta Ziller & Billie Rose: Highlights From This Week's 'Grass Roots'

Every week, ABC Country's Grass Roots program shines a light on the best independently released Australian country content. 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 four 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.

James C. Atkins - Brighter Skies

Melbourne-based singer-songwriter James C. Atkins knows how to write a great song. On Brighter Skies, he shares a vibrant, upbeat number that showcases his rich vocal tone.

Working with Jason Resch (formerly of Darlinghurst fame), Atkins explained in a statement that Brighter Skies didn’t begin as a happy song despite its sonically radiant style.

“It’s more about looking for your own path, hearing and seeing what other people have gone through, and realising maybe that’s not for me,” he said. “It’s based on my experiences and those around me, which I think makes it relatable.”

An exciting new, natural talent to burst onto the Australian music scene, Brighter Skies is Atkins’ second-ever country song.

Gretta Ziller - One Day

Gretta Ziller recently returned with One Day, a downtempo heartbreaker co-written by Nashville-based hitmaker Phil Barton. Produced by Damian Cafarella, One Day is all about focusing on heart-wrenching storytelling, letting strong melodies speak for themselves, and Ziller’s stunning vocal performance.

Taken from her new album, The Miles, the track is an example of Ziller’s uncanny ability to connect with audiences with her warm country music, powerful lyrics, and emotive voice.

Billie Rose - Slaying Ghosts

There’s a reason why Billie Rose has received three Queensland Music Awards nominations—Best Blues & Roots Act, Emerging Artist of the Year and Remote Artist—because she’s brilliant.

Slaying Ghosts is an energetic number about Rose’s experience of being ghosted, highlighting her hypnotic, dynamic voice alongside an eerie, rock meets country melody.

She said of the inspiration behind the single: “I knew the song needed to be expressed in an edgy way. Instead of playing it safe, we decided to draw inspiration from the likes of Nirvana.” On the rock angle, she added: “It felt a little out of my comfort zone, but I really wanted the listener to feel my frustration through the production.”

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