Nathan May, Olive Mae & Sam Snape: 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.

Nathan May – Love From Me

Telling the story of Nathan May’s great grandparents – a white man from the UK and an Aboriginal woman from Arabunna Country – at Anna Creek in the 1900s; their relationship was marked by significant challenges and social judgements due to their age differences and cultural backgrounds. Love From Me was co-written with Kevin Bennett and features a beautiful guitar solo from Troy Cassar-Daley, making it a standout collaboration of three prominent First Nations artists. It’s a powerful narrative of resilience and enduring love.

Olive Mae – The Best

The Best is the fourth single lifted from Olive Mae’s EP Hit The Road. Hailing from Southwest WA, the singer-songwriter taught herself to play guitar at 18 after being inspired by Paul Kelly, The Waifs and Frente! Having written The Best some time ago, May admits she can’t even remember what she wrote it about – but she insists listeners can take the eerie and mystical tune however they like and apply their own personal meaning.

Sam Snape – Old Dog, Old Ute, Old Hat

Hailing from the NSW country town of Boggabri, Sam Snape gained recognition after appearing on Australian Idol earlier this year. His latest single Old Dog, Old Ute, Old Hat not only captures his personal experiences but pays homage to his beloved Kelpie, Pip. Sam’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of rural life in Australia, where old traditions and cherished memories go hand in hand.

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