Jen Mize, Beth Lucas & James C. Atkins: 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 9pm 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.

Jen Mize – My Buzz

My Buzz is the latest release from award-winning Queensland singer-songwriter Jen Mize, and it’s a swaggering dedication to the concept of carpe diem. Mize wrote the tune as a gentle reminder that trying to embody the notion of doing no harm, spreading as much joy and sunshine as possible, wanting the best for your fellow man, is some of the best medicine for the self. She says it’s about the power of perspective and they kind of message the world could use a little more of right now.

Beth Lucas – Pieces (ft. Mark Lavender)

CMAA Academy Of Country Music alumni Beth Lucas and Mark Lavender have joined forces on the emotionally charged breakup anthem Pieces. The song was originally intended as a collaboration between Lucas’ longtime friend and the track’s songwriter, Mikey Adams.– a joint decision was made to instead offer the male part to a local country artist, and Lucas immediately knew Lavender was the right fit. The song shares both perspectives of a relationship’s breakdown.

James C. Atkins – Up Jump The River

Up Jump The River is the debut track from Melbourne’s James C. Atkins. It celebrates the ups and downs of life, and why sometimes living with your head in the clouds is a wonderful thing. The inspiration to write the joyful tune came after Atkins had a shift in mindset, saying he realised that he cannot control everything and needed to let certain things go. He went more with the flow and now approaches life excited by the possibilities of the unknown.

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