Shelley’s Murder Boys have been a staple in Sydney’s folk and bluegrass community since 2017, when they burst onto the scene with their EP Troubled Thoughts Keep Her Fed.
Now, the trio have released their debut album Above Is A Roar, and with its release, they continue to establish themselves as one of our city’s most promising emerging acts. If you haven’t already been paying attention to this band, it’s certainly time you started.
Sydney-based outfit Shelley’s Murder Boys deliver a tradition-breaking slice of old-timey brilliance on their debut album, Above Is A Roar.
The new album was produced and recorded by Jim Moginie (Midnight Oil) at Oceanic Studios. It features Shelley Eeves, Joe Glover and Jimmy Murray on fiddle, vocals, banjo and guitar, with guest performances from Rob Hirst (Midnight Oil, The Backsliders), Jim Moginie and Jake Pember (The Button Collective).
The upcoming record takes influence from the Appalachian traditions of bluegrass music with a collection of old-timey songs, as well as drawing in an alt-country, Americana style with a selection of originals. Each song on the album has been treated with Jim Moginie’s flair for instrumentation and the tradition-breaking addition of Rob Hirst on drums; adding a wild, percussive element throughout. Originals on the album explore issues such as climate change, social disadvantage and mansplaining, and come directly from the daily-life experiences of the band.
These may still be early days for this Sydney band, but judging by the quality of everything we’ve heard so far, I think we can safely expect plenty more great tunes. In the meantime, do yourself a favour and listen to the new album above.
The band’s album launch is on the 7th of September at Yulli’s Brews with special guests Kay Proudlove, and the Sweet Jelly Rolls.
Check out all the tour dates below:
Above Is A Roar tour dates
September 15th – Club Millthorpe, Millthorpe
October 2nd – Folkswagon, Sydney
October 4th – Flow Bar, Old Bar
October 6th – Yulli’s, Byron Bay
October 10th – Treehouse, Byron Bay
October 11th – Dusty Attic, Lismore
November 9th – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra
More info here.
