There’s a rich history of Melbourne bands building a loyal following over several years, playing residencies at small clubs and gigging constantly. COUSIN TONY’S BRAND NEW FIREBIRD is one of those. They’re an alternative rock band from the inner city of Melbourne, Australia. Evolving out of the music communities and famous rock pubs around Fitzroy, their music is uplifting, infectious and highly original.
Formed in 2015 by singer songwriter Lachlan Rose, Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird started with a few friends meeting at a weekly community pop up performance space. It wasn’t long before Rose was writing, recording and performing his own songs for a debut EP – the “Queen Of Hearts” EP, under the moniker Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird – a name taken from dialogue in the closing scene of American Beauty.
Prior to COVID, Cousin Tony’s were scheduled to play in Austin,Texas at SXSW, with additional shows in LA and NY in March 2020. They have already toured the UK (in 2019) where they performed gigs at The Great Escape Festival in Brighton, as well as their own headline shows to packed rooms in London, Glasgow, Manchester and Dublin.
In Australia, the band regularly plays sold out headline tours. They have also played several Australian festivals including Happy Wanderer, NYE on the Hill, Gum Ball, Beyond the Valley and the Loch Hart Festival.
Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird now have 3 EPS and 2 long players to their name and they’re working towards album number 3 in 2022. A wonderful new single (their first in two years) When This Is Over has already emerged and shown that the band has been tinkering away diligently in the studio, developing their craft and coming up with a heartfelt groove that many of us coming out of long lockdowns will identify with.
Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips caught up with Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird frontman Lachy Rose to chat about the band’s past, present, future and the new single ‘When This is Over’.
BAND MEMBERS: Lachlan Rose (vocals, keys, guitar), Francesca Gonzales (vocals/ keytar), Nick Reid (drums), Matthew Hayes (bass), Peter Simonsen (guitar/ vocals / percussion).
STREAM/DOWNLOAD ‘When This is Over’ HERE
BAND FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/ctbnf