A woman walks into a bar. There’s a band playing some dirty folk blues in the corner. Looking like they had a few too many, swaying around with their instruments not paying attention to anyone that cared to listen. It was loose, so loose that it felt like they were skating, but they rode that edge for an hour. You can tell when a band has been playing together for a long time – the music is as natural as a conversation. It was raw and edgy. That woman, The Waif’s Vikki Thorn says to herself, “I want to make a record with these guys.”
With a box of songs, unplayed phone recordings and memories of ten years living in the wilds of Utah USA swirling in her head, Vikki needed a vehicle to fully realise these stories. And ThornBird was born.
ThornBird’s debut solo album, simply titled ThornBird will be released on 11th March 2022, featuring the already released singles ‘Tempest’, a tale of hope and regeneration, and the feel-good vibe of ‘All The Things’. ThornBird unveils a new cut from the album, ‘Bullets and Heartache’, a wild west ode to love and relationship. ThornBird explains: “He comes in blazing rhetoric and she takes him on a wild horse chase. Gritty guitar, laid back groove and big harmonies round it up and bring it home. It features my next door neighbours, Simon and Tammy London from The Red Tails.”
With a handful of live shows already under her belt in Western Australia, ThornBird and her band will be heading east for shows starting in Castlemaine, Victoria on 10th March at the Theatre Royal followed by a special album release day show at Queenscliff Town Hall on 11 th March. Shows have also been announced for Melbourne, Adelaide, Eumundi in Queensland, Byron Bay, Bulli in New South Wales and Meeniyan in Victoria.
ThornBird is also part of the incredible Wildflower Festival, a celebration of Australian women in music alongside Missy Higgins, Kasey Chambers, Sarah Blasko, Kate Miller-Heidke, Deborah Conway and Alice Skye. Wildflower Festival starts on 12th March at Rochford Wines in the Yarra Valley followed by shows in Brisbane, Hunter Valley and Mudgee. ThornBird will return to the West for a 9th April show at the beautiful Kings Park in Perth alongside John Butler and Kasey Chambers.
THORNBIRD SHOWS 2022
Thur 10 March Theatre Royal, Castlemaine, VIC
Fri 11 March Queenscliff Town Hall, Queenscliff, VIC
Sat 12 March Wildflower Festival, Yarra Valley, VIC
Fri 18 March Imperial Hotel, Eumundi, QLD
Sat 19 March Wildflower Festival, Brisbane, QLD
Sun 20 March Byron Theatre, Byron Bay, NSW
Sat 2 April Wildflower Festival, Hunter Valley, NSW
Sun 3 April Heritage Hotel, Bulli, NSW
Wed 6 April Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne, VIC
Thu 7 April Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan, VIC
Fri 8 April The Gov, Adelaide, SA
Sat 9 April Kings Park, Perth, WA