Halfway (band)

Halfway is an indie rock band from Brisbane, Australia.[1] The group have released six albums; most recently Rain Lover in August 2018.[2]

Halfway
OriginBrisbane, Australia
GenresAlt Country indie rock space rock
Years active2000 (2000)–present
LabelsPlus One Records / ABC Music
Websitehalfway.com.au
MembersJohn Busby
Elwin Hawtin
Ben Johnson
Noel Fitzpatrick
Liam Fitzpatrick
John Willsteed
Luke Peacock
Past membersChris Dale
Chris Hess
Liam Bray
Chris Pickering

History

Halfway was formed in 2000 by John Busby, Elwin Hawtin, Ben Johnson and Chris Dale in Windsor, Brisbane. The lineup was later rounded out with the addition of Dublin-born brothers Noel Fitzpatrick (pedal steel) and Liam Fitzpatrick (banjo/mandolin).

Halfway's debut album Farewell to the Fainthearted was released in 2003 to warm critical acclaim.[3] The band toured nationally, and their single "Patience Back" received high rotation airplay on Triple J. Farewell to the Fainthearted was included in The Courier-Mail's Top 10 albums of 2003.[4]

In September 2006, Halfway released their second studio album, Remember the River. It was recorded by Wayne Connolly (The Vines, Josh Pyke, You Am I) the album saw Radio Birdman frontman Rob Younger in the producer's chair. The album received much acclaim from critics, and generated interest in Europe and the UK, where it received airplay on BBC Radio. Remember the River was included in The Courier-Mail's Top 10 albums of 2006.[5]

In 2008, the band's core songwriting duo (Busby and Dale) were the recipients of one of Australia's most prestigious songwriting awards – The Grant McLennan Fellowship. The selection panel included members of the Go-Betweens, the McLennan family and Arts Queensland.[6]

2009 saw the band recruit former Go-Betweens frontman Robert Forster to produce their third album. After months of rehearsal under Forster's guidance, a new LP was recorded, entitled An Outpost of Promise.

In 2010, the band added John Willsteed (ex-The Go-Betweens) on guitar, and Luke Peacock on keyboards.[7]

In February 2014, Halfway released their fourth album, Any Old Love, which was again produced by Forster. At the AIR Awards of 2014, the album won Best Independent Country Album.[8]

In 2015, the song "Dulcify" from Any Old Love won "Song of the Year" & "Best Country Song" at the Queensland Music Awards.[9]

The band's fifth studio album, The Golden Halfway Record, was released in April 2016.[10] It was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, by lauded producer Mark Nevers (Calexico, Bonnie Prince Billy, George Jones), the album was met with a series of five star reviews.[11]

In August 2018 the band's sixth album Rain Lover. Rain Lover is described as a concept album about the life of John Busby's father. It is a story of big dreams, conflict and addiction and the songs include real people and characters from the Central Queensland town of Rockhampton in the 1960s-1980s. The album received a 5-star review in The Australian newspaper on the week of release.[12]

Discography

Studio albums
Title Details
Farewell to the Fainthearted
Remember the River
  • Released: September 2006
  • Label: Laughing Outlaw Records
  • Format: CD, Digital download
An Outpost of Promise
  • Released: 29 May 2010[14]
  • Label: Plus One Records (P1-29)
  • Format: CD, Digital download, LP
Any Old Love
  • Released: 7 February 2014[15]
  • Label: Plus One Records (P1-50)
  • Format: CD, Digital download, LP
The Golden Halfway Record
  • Released: 8 April 2016[16]
  • Label: Halfways Records, ABC Music (HW-LP05)
  • Format: CD, Digital download, LP, streaming
Rain Lover
  • Released: 10 August 2018[17]
  • Label: Halfways Records, ABC Music (P1-70)
  • Format: CD, Digital download, LP, streaming

Live albums
Title Details
Live At The Triffid
  • Released: 17 March 2017[18]
  • Label: Plus One Records (P1-67)
  • Format: CD, Digital download, streaming

Compilation albums
Title Details
A Band Called Halfway
  • Released: 2015 (US only)
  • Label: Plus One Records
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
AIR Awards of 2014[19] Any Old Love Best Independent Country Album Won
AIR Awards of 2017[20] The Golden Halfway Record Best Independent Country Album Nominated
AIR Awards of 2018[21] Live at the Triffid Best Independent Country Album Nominated
AIR Awards of 2019[22] Rain Lover Best Independent Country Album Nominated

References
  1. "Halfway bio".
  2. "Rain Lover".
  3. "Allmusic".
  4. "Broadbeach Country Music Festival".
  5. "Laughing Outlaw - Remember The River".
  6. "QMusic".
  7. "Australian Musician website".
  8. "AIR".
  9. "QMA's".
  10. "Rolling Stone Australia".
  11. "The Australian newspaper - music reviews".
  12. "Halfway Bio About". Halfway Bio. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  13. "Farewell to the Fainthearted (DD)". Apple Music. 6 December 2004. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  14. "An Outpost of Promise (DD)". Apple Music. 29 May 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  15. "Any Old Love (DD)". Apple Music. 7 February 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  16. "The Golden Halfway Record(DD)". Apple Music. 8 April 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  17. "Rain Lover (DD)". Apple Music. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  18. "Live At The Triffid (DD)". Apple Music. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  19. "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  20. "A.B Original dominates 2017 AIR Awards nominations". theindustryobserver. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  21. "2018 AIR Awards Nominees". 17 April 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  22. "2019 AIR Awards Nominees". 28 March 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
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