With 16 years playing together under their belts, The Stetson Family continues to deliver spirited, free-wheeling Americana, Folk and Bluegrass infused with lush harmonies and original songs. They take the audience on a journey down life’s sometimes joyous and often crooked highway. The Stetson Family, formed in 2008, hail from Melbourne, Australia. Comprised of Nadine Budge, John Bartholomeusz and Colin Swan, who together were members of the ’80s synth-pop band Schizo Scherzo, had a chance meeting 15 years after the group’s dissolution. At that time, they bonded over the music from O Brother Where Are Thou. Instruments came out, voices harmonized, Bartholomeusz’s childhood friend Andy Carswell came into the picture and, soon after, original songs started flowing. They were joined by Luke Richardson on double bass, and now, after the 2016 passing of Carswell, they have been joined by multi-instrumentalist Greg Field on mandolin and fiddle. Four albums down the track and the band still revels in playing to audiences around the country. It’s been nine long years since the group’s last album, but like a slow train coming, The Stars, If You Look Closely, is a welcome sight. It is comprised of all original songs, written by lead vocalist Budge and Bartholomeusz, along with two songs left unfinished by Carswell. The band’s third album, True North, established them internationally in 2015, breaking onto U.S. and U.K. Roots and Americana charts, and garnering stellar reviews from around the world. The Victorian & National Country Music Awards nominated the band for Best Song in 2012 and for Best Group/Duo in 2016. Their song “O Winding River” was one of 10 chosen from around the globe to be showcased in Nashville, Tennessee at the IBMA World of Bluegrass conference and festival (2012). Their albums have made multiple international Top 10 lists. In December 2023, the first single and title track from The Stars, If You Look Closely, reached #2 on the Airplay Direct Global Radio Indicator chart. The 11 original songs on the new album are true to form with a mixture of up-tempo tracks and ballads, along with an instrumental, “Nightfall.” Ern Rose, legendary engineer and producer behind many of Australia’s iconic projects (The Little River Band, Renee Geyer, Daddy Cool), mixed and co-produced the album with Budge.

Album: THE STARS, IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY 

Website: http://thestetsonfamily.com

The Stars, If You Look Closely - CD Cover

The Stetson Family PR Shot (592) - Credit: Bree Hartley

The Stetson Family PR Shot (553) - Credit: Bree Hartley

The Stetson Family PR Shot (559) - Credit: Bree Hartley