Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips speaks with Vikki Thorn (The Waifs) about the creation of her debut solo album Thornbird (out now). The zoom internet connection might be a little rustic and full of character but we had a great chat about the making of the record, her gear and much more. Photos by Jason Rosewarne from Wildflower Festival, Rochford Winery, Yarra Valley.
More about the album …
Thornbird is the moniker of Vikki Thorn, one third of Australian Folk band The Waifs. Thinking back to when she first thought about recording a solo album, The Waifs’ Vikki Thorn recalls a journal entry 20 years earlier in which she noted plans to make one of her own. Thanks to the pandemic and having time on her hands, on March 11, 2022 after three decades of touring with her sister in folk rock trio The Waifs, Vikki has finally released her debut solo album, Thornbird.
Most of the songs were written in the last couple of years during Covid lockdowns in Albany, Western Australia and a few were formed in Utah, USA a couple of years before that.
With Thornbird, Vikki delivers an earthy, country flavoured, folk rock treat, full of engaging life tales and thoughtful observations. Vikki also showcases that great vocal diversity that we know and love from her work with The Waifs but perhaps now highlighted more in a solo guise.
Ben Franz’s deep, booming bass and tasteful pedal steel offer a significant sonic contribution to the album, as do the talented Luke Dux on guitars and Todd Pickett on drums.
Thornbird struts, sways and rocks its way through a dozen well constructed songs, from the Elvis-like swagger of album opener That Kinda Man, to the slow burnin’, gritty blues that is Bullets and Heartache. Let Her Go, co-written with husband Mat Thorn is loud and brash. Hells Backbone, as she tells us in our interview is a deeply personal, beautiful ballad about her time in Utah, USA. Sit back, relax and take in the atmospheric Rough Patch, as it ascends along it’s almost seven minute, mesmerising journey before fading out and bringing to a close an album of exceptional Australian roots music.
UPCOMING THORNBIRD SHOWS
Tickets available HERE
Fri 18 March Imperial Hotel Eumundi QLD
Sat 19 MarchWildflower FestivalBrisbane QLD
Sun 20 March Byron Theatre Byron Bay NSW
Thurs 31 March The Street Theatre Canberra ACT (*just added)
Fri 1 April The Brass Monkey Sydney NSW (*just added)
Sat 2 AprilWildflower FestivalHunter ValleyNSW
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 AprilKings ParkPerthWA
https://www.facebook.com/VikkiThornMusic
