Tom Harrison gets gritty on debut blues rock full length album, 'Blood On The Moon'
Queensland-based blues and roots troubadour, Tom Harrison has dropped his debut album, ‘Blood On The Moon’, marking the next chapter in a run of new music that has seen the singer-songwriter move beyond the folk-influenced sound of his debut EP, ‘Old Growth’, and into a heavier, more expansive blues-rock territory.
‘Blood on the Moon’ comprises ten original songs exploring relationships, hardship, resilience and the darker corners of everyday life. While blues remains at the heart of Harrison’s music, ‘Blood On The Moon’ draws equally from country-rock, folk and rock'n'roll, creating a sound that is both classic and new.
The album follows the release of the singles ‘Peace With Me’, ‘Run’, & ‘Nightingale’, which have all had extensive radio play, giving listeners an introduction to the different aspects of Harrison’s songwriting. ‘Peace With Me’ marked a significant shift, embracing a heavier blues-rock sound that Harrison has been wanting to explore for years.
“I’ve always wanted to make a blues rock record,” says Harrison. “I’ve dabbled with mixing genres from the blues to rock, and folk, but this time I had a clear goal of making an upbeat dirty blues-rock record with one or two folk songs to even things out.”
‘Blood On The Moon’ is road-worn blues rock, barrelling down the highway, heading hell knows where in a busted-up Monaro, with only your own demons for company – and they’re gripping the dashboard for dear life. Tom Harrison takes the raggedy blues of his time with The Rattlers and makes it all bloodied and bruised, bourbon-soaked bandages barely holding the wounds together. Tracks wrapped in fuzz and bluesy, shuffling grit one minute (‘Down The Line’, ‘Peace With Me’), give way to the shimmering hues of a chilled-out outback sunset the next (‘When The Lights’, ‘Godammit’). Drawing on his knack for countrified rock, heartfelt folk and blues rock, Harrison rubs it all in the red dirt and smears it across an album that feels lived-in, weather-beaten and beautifully imperfect. ‘Blood On The Moon’ is black-eyed blues rock with its boots firmly planted in the dirt, finding beauty in the bruises and a little solace in the scars.
This approach has shaped ‘Blood On The Moon’, with the album moving between driving blues-rock, country-inflected songwriting and more reflective moments, while maintaining the soulful vocal delivery and guitar-driven sound that have become central to Harrison’s music.
The album was recorded at Harrison’s home base, So-So Silver Studios, with a stripped-back production approach that leaves room for the performances to breathe. Harrison is joined by a collective of local artists, including Paul Bain on drums, Sean Power on guitar, and Tim Kemp on bass. The album was mixed by Levi Russell and Nell Forster and mastered by Paul Blakey.
‘Blood On The Moon’ arrives at a significant point in Harrison’s career after branching out from his band Hugo Stranger and the Rattlers to showcase his solo talent. In 2026 alone, he was nominated for Best Blues/Roots Artist in the Queensland Music Awards following the release of ‘Peace With Me’. He performed at Gympie Music Muster, Blues on Broadbeach Festival and Agnes Blues Roots & Rock Festival, adding to an increasingly busy year of live performances.
Harrison is supported by the Moreton Bay City Council through the Regional Arts Development Fund Creative City grant.
Tom Harrison will be performing live gigs in Brisbane and surrounding areas to celebrate the release of ‘Blood on the Moon’, with touring plans for 2027.
‘Blood On The Moon’ is out now on all streaming platforms. CDs will be available for purchase from the tomharrison.com.au or Bandcamp.
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