Sydney's Racing Birds deliver nostalgically rich, bluesy debut EP, 'Lonesome Blue'

Sydney-based duo, Racing Birds blend a tonne of nostalgic, melancholic melodies with 60s inspired bluesy guitars with their debut EP, ‘Lonesome Blue’ which is out now.

Racing Birds lean into visions of yesteryear; 70s sunsets, Southern California mystic and fading tail lights, the duo effortless bring together the sentimentality of a bygone era, with modern tones and inspired hooks.

Recorded in the heat and steam of their garage studio, ‘Lonesome Blue’ is as authentic as it is electrifying, an honest reflection to the esteemed pedigree of both songwriters, and each other’s professional growth.

‘Lonesome Blue’ is deeply hypnotic, romantic and heartbreaking at the same time. The drums are coloured in old school, deep thuddy tones, yet somehow manage to sound more modern and organic than most rhythms today. The guitars are drenched in Californian crunchy grit and spring reverb-ed beauty. It’s easy to make comparisons to The Black Keys with Racing Birds’ self-produced release, but it is so much more than that. For an EP that was recorded in a converted half of a garage, it’s a DIY ethos and result that would bring a smile to Jack White’s face; Southern Californian Australiana Blues. Choice cuts are the slackened groove of ‘Silver Sun Bohemian’, and the thigh-slapping ‘Rarely Never Loaded’.

Combining forces to blend their unique outlooks on storytelling, Sydney’s Jeremy Strother & Bobbie Lee Stamper are Racing Birds. Drawing passionate vocals from Jeremy & bluesy rhythms from Bobbie, the duo have combined to create an emotive sound that is fleetingly familiar, but uniquely Racing Birds. Reminiscent of late night drives through Southern California in the ‘60’s, the band capture an authentic and evocative sound that is on show throughout ‘Lonesome Blue’.

“The first song we wrote for The EP was Vampires & LSD. It’s a story about two lovers on the run, good at being bad. It’s Midwestern motels & desert highways. ‘She likes old cars & graveyards, distorted guitars . . . but I want you all to myself, start a family, made of vampires & LSD.’ The way it came together gave us a really clear vision of how we wanted the EP to feel and sound; the lyrics, the screams, the guitars, the rhythm and the colours. It was new territory for Bob and me. I think if we hadn’t written that song, and if it hadn’t come out the way it did, Racing Birds would probably not have become a band. So we started with ‘Vampires,’ which set the tone, then I think it was ‘Rarely Never Loaded.’ At that point we knew how to grab hold of the moment, we wrote ‘Silver Sun Bohemian,’ which definitely leans into the southern California mystique - fading tail lights, 70’s sunsets,” says Jeremy.

Having plied their trade for years separately, individually the Racing Birds members have a pedigree that lands them amongst the top songwriters and session players in the southern-hemisphere. Jeremy has contributed to acts across all scopes, including I Am Apollo & Stellar Perry (The Voice Australia), alongside a publishing deal with New York agency Frisbee. Whilst the USA originating Bobbie cut his teeth as a guitarist for Jon McLaughlin, sharing stages with Sara Bareilles, Colbie Caillat & Bon Jovi. Closer to home, he’s performed with Australia’s finest, including Guy Sebastian, Human Nature & Matt Corby to name a few. Coming together they create a raw and captivating sound, pulling listeners into their story, creating vivid imagery of neon signs, fading tail lights & California skies.

Bobbie explains that adopting the DIY ethos and using whatever was in reach to give the EP its own life and story.

“Everything was done with just the two of us, a couple guitars, a laptop and whatever we could find around the garage to bang on. I didn’t have a proper studio at the time so we set up in the front half of my garage, and there was a sheet hung up to hide the lawnmower . . . you could see daylight coming in through cracks in the walls, there were possums walking around in the rafters at night, and it was either boiling hot or freezing cold depending on the weather. But we used that DIY feeling to give the record a bit of edge and energy. I tried not to use many samples or edit the takes much,” he said.

‘Lonesome Blue’ is out now on all streaming platforms.