Zac & George, Amy Ryan & Lane Pittman: The 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.

Lane Pittman – Ain't Too Much To Ask

Lane Pittman is on track to become one of the biggest names in Australian country music, and possibly the globe. He’s built up a staggering rapsheet since auditioning on The Voice in 2022, where he went from covering his idol Luke Combs to opening for the superstar during his record-breaking sold-out 2023 tour. Pittman has Tamworth in his sights – after being crowned the 2023 Best Of The Buskers winner, the mullet-haired boy from the bush is up for Best New Talent at the 52nd Golden Guitar Awards.

Amy Ryan – Walking Against The Wind

Since the age of nine, Amy Ryan has been fortunate enough to collaborate with iconic Australian and US-based folk, bluegrass and country music artists. She credits the people and places she's encountered on her travels as the muse for her second album, My Escape, released in July this year. This particular single paints a picture of a couple that had fallen in love some time ago, and now as time has passed, they find their relationship rather complicated. At first these two people, so in love as they travelled along the same path, now find themselves slowly drifting apart, travelling in the complete opposite direction – representing the struggles two people may have within a relationship.

Zac & George – Call It A Day

The dynamic duo Zac & George, who are currently on tour with James Johnston, have released their fourth single Call It A Day. Another melodic gem that celebrates the “three-day weekend” – an Australian colloquialism for “taking a break” – this infectious new single is sure to resonate with fans and newcomers alike, serving as a reminder to cherish the moments of rest and relaxation. The duo are also nominated for Best New Talent at the upcoming 52nd Golden Guitar Awards.

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