Indie-folk duo Wolf and Willow are exploring new ground with their new single ‘Falling’ – a delicate, tremulous piece of balladry that could only have been recorded in Melbourne.
‘Falling’ will be making its formal debut at the Gasometer Hotel in October, where Wolf and Willow will be joined by indie music project the Hunter Express and folk artist Georgie Currie.
“The song is intentionally choosing to look at the good in a situation as opposed to being absorbed by the bad,” vocalist Tim Richardson says. “It’s about finding the eye of the storm – wherever that may be for you – and waltzing inside of it. I’m hoping listeners can enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it.”
Wolf and Willow’s previous single, ‘Seaside’, climbed to number seven on Australia’s Viral Spotify charts after its release in 2016, quickly garnering over 800,000 plays.
“‘Falling’ marks new territory for Wolf and Willow,” Richardson says. “From the ground up, a new writing style meant exploring our music in an unfamiliar way. Thankfully, it’s come about quite naturally – a progression and stepping stone towards what’s to come.”
It’s to be the first installment in a trilogy of singles produced by Hayden Calnin – who has worked alongside fellow post-folk artists Didirri, Rieley Pierce, and Batts – and mastered by Studios 301’s Steve Smart, who has brought to life tracks from Tash Sultana, Midnight Oil and Cub Sport.
The second and third installments of Wolf and Willow’s trilogy of singles are planned for release throughout 2018, each showcasing a different side of the band.
“We’ve got three singles lined up and ready to go, in what will eventually lead into a further LP.” Richardson says. “Over the years of playing live together, we’ve expanded our world of sounds and the direction of our songwriting. ‘Falling’ is the first taste of a string of tracks that really showcase everything this band is about.”
Wolf and Willow’s creative history is eclectic, including a writing retreat spent in the US following shows in Nashville and across California. The duo used the time to refine their sound and craft new material for a forthcoming album. On another occasion, the duo moved into a less-than-traditional recording space to self-produce their debut EP Born to Be.
“When we recorded our first EP in 2016, we built a makeshift studio in an abandoned church and recorded there,” says Richardson. “It was a chance to take control of our own music, bunker down and explore.
“We’d recorded vocal takes in a backroom and sing harmonies from the back of the church – allowing this lush natural reverb to blossom up to the ceiling. It was a great way to get our music out into the world, and we’re so grateful for everyone it’s connected with. From here, it’s all about sharing our new music – which I feel is a major step up for us in terms of songwriting and production.”
To celebrate the launch of ‘Falling’, Wolf and Willow will be hitting the road and taking on the Australian east coast on their most extensive tour yet, followed by a return to Melbourne for their hometown single launch show. The band have previously found a place on the lineups of grassroots festivals including Nimbin Roots Festival and Patchewollock Music Festival, and plan to do further extensive touring in 2019.
“It’s always daunting going out and doing new things. But it’s important to just go out and do it. We’ve met so many new people, made new friends, and played in situations we’d never thought we’d find ourselves in because of our DIY approach to touring. Just playing Nimbin alone gave us a lifetime of road stories that we still laugh about today.”
Wolf and Willow’s single launch at the Gasometer offers a first for the band – the addition of a live string section. The band will recreate the strings that cover ‘Falling’, as well as re-arranging both old and new songs with strings too.
Wolf and Willow’s musical forays take place in the context of a broader revival within the Australian folk scene that has allowed the appeal of folk to spread outside of its traditional niche.
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu’s Gurrumul – an English and Yolngu language folk album – went triple platinum after its release in 2008, signifying the emergence of a new form of folk on the Australian scene. A diverse array of contemporary Australian folk artists have helped draw mainstream interest to the genre. It’s within this broader upswell of creative vitality and public interest in folk, that Wolf and Willow seek to make their mark.
“It all centres around storytelling and music,” Richardson says. “The launch is going to be heaps of fun. Lots of storytelling, lots of laughs and, hopefully, some nice music.”
