Halfway (band)

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Halfway
HALFWAY LUKE HENERY letter2.jpg
Halfway, Brisbane 2018
Background information
OriginBrisbane, Australia
GenresIndie rock, Space rock, Alt Country
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

Halfway is a rock band from Brisbane, Australia.[1] The group have released seven studio albums. Their most recent release Restless Dream is a collaboration with First Nations elder Bob Weatherall, and it was nominated at the 2021 ARIA awards in the category of Best World Music Album.

History[]

Halfway was formed in 2000 by , 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.[2] 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.[3]

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.[4]

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.[5]

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.[6]

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.[7]

In 2015, the song "Dulcify" from Any Old Love won "Song of the Year" & "Best Country Song" at the Queensland Music Awards.[8]

The band's fifth studio album, The Golden Halfway Record, was released in April 2016.[9] 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.[10]

2018 saw the release of the band's sixth album Rain Lover. Produced by Mark Nevers and Halfway, Rain Lover’s central narrative is based around the life of John Busby's father. It is a story of big dreams, conflict and addiction with songs that 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.[11]

In 2021 the band released their seventh album, Restless Dream, which is a collaboration with Kamilaroi elder Bob Weatherall & didgeridoo player William Barton. The records central themes are based around the work of Bob Weatherall in the repatriation of aboriginal remains from museums and institutions around the world. It combines cinematic soundscapes, spoken word and songs to outline the story. The album was nominated in the 2021 ARIA Music Awards for Best World Music Album.

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

Title Details
Farewell to the Fainthearted
Remember the River
An Outpost of Promise
Any Old Love
  • Released: 7 February 2014[14]
  • Label: Plus One Records (P1-50)
  • Producer: Robert Forster
  • Engineer & Mixing: Phil Graham
  • Format: CD, Digital download, LP
The Golden Halfway Record
  • Released: 8 April 2016[15]
  • Label: Plus One Records, ABC Music (P1-65)
  • Producer: Mark Nevers
  • Engineer & Mixing: Mark Nevers
  • Format: CD, Digital download, LP, streaming
Rain Lover
  • Released: 10 August 2018[16]
  • Label: Plus One Records, ABC Music (P1-70)
  • Producer: Mark Nevers & Halfway
  • Engineer: Yanto Browning
  • Mixing: Mark Nevers
  • Format: CD, Digital download, LP, streaming
Restless Dream
  • Released: 27 August 2021[17]
  • Label: Plus One Records, ABC Music (P1-71)
  • Producer: John Willsteed
  • Engineer: Yanto Browning
  • Mixing: Mark Nevers
  • 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[]

ARIA Awards[]

The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards celebrating the Australian music industry.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
ARIA Awards of 2021 Restless Dream Best World Music Album Nominated

APRA Awards[]

The APRA music awards in Australia are an annual awards ceremony celebrating excellence in contemporary music.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
APRA Awards of 2015 Dulcify Best Blues & Roots Work of the Year Nominated

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 2011 An Outpost Of Promise Best Independent Country Album Nominated
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

Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship[]

The Grant McLennan Fellowship is a $25,000 award given to a Queensland contemporary music songwriter or songwriting duo with exceptional talent. Named in honour of Go-Betweens co-songwriter and front man, Grant McLennan. The prize money is used to travel to a choice of one of his three favourite cities, Berlin, London or New York, to further their song writing craft and experience by travelling over seas.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
Grant McLennan Fellowship of 2007 John Busby & Chris Dale GMMF Nominated
Grant McLennan Fellowship of 2008 John Busby & Chris Dale GMMF Won

Queensland Music Awards[]

The Queensland Music Awards (previously known as Q Song Awards) are annual awards celebrating Queensland, Australia's brightest emerging artists and established legends. They commenced in 2006.[23]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015[24][25][26] "Dulcify" Song of the Year Won
Country Song of the Year Won
2017[27] "Three in and There’s Nothing But the Stars" Country Song of the Year Won

References[]

  1. ^ "Halfway bio".
  2. ^ "Allmusic".
  3. ^ "Broadbeach Country Music Festival".[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Laughing Outlaw - Remember The River".
  5. ^ "QMusic".
  6. ^ "Australian Musician website".[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "AIR".
  8. ^ "QMA's".
  9. ^ "Rolling Stone Australia".
  10. ^ "The Australian newspaper - music reviews".
  11. ^ "Halfway Bio About". Halfway Bio. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  12. ^ "Farewell to the Fainthearted (DD)". Apple Music. 6 December 2004. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  13. ^ "An Outpost of Promise (DD)". Apple Music. 29 May 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Any Old Love (DD)". Apple Music. 7 February 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  15. ^ "The Golden Halfway Record(DD)". Apple Music. 8 April 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  16. ^ "Rain Lover (DD)". Apple Music. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  17. ^ "Restless Dream (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.
  23. ^ "About the Queensland Music Awards". Queensland Music Awards. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  24. ^ "Queensland Music Awards 2015". The Weekend Edition. 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  25. ^ "Past Winners 2015". Queensland Music Awards. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  26. ^ "Violent Soho, The Amity Affliction Among Queensland Music Awards Winners". Music Feeds. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  27. ^ "Past Winners 2020". Queensland Music Awards. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
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