Fifth Studio Album From Australia’s Own Alt. Country Alchemists The Yearlings
A lot can happen in twelve years. Some relationships grow weary and worn, but for Adelaide duo The Yearlings (Robyn Chalklen and Chris Parkinson), passing time has only distilled their unique brand of Australian alt. country, steeped in Americana traditions.
After spending the past four years sharing their brooding ballads, rolling roots and haunting harmonies with local and international audiences, The Yearlings have returned with their fifth studio album, ALL THE WANDERING, a ten-song collection which showcases their quiet evolution.
Dark and sparse, yet full to the brim with imagery and atmosphere, ALL THE WANDERING was recorded to 2-inch tape on a vintage Studer 24-track tape machine; its soul every bit as old as the machinery on which it was captured. Evocative stories of country, travel, love and longing are cradled by the subtle, yet substantial grooves of bassist Harry Brus (Renee Geyer, Jimmy Barnes) and drummer BJ Barker (Kasey Chambers). There is more diesel in the tank, but The Yearlings’ trademark fragility and spaciousness remains, masterfully captured by iconic Adelaide sound engineer Mick Wordley.
ALL THE WANDERING is bookended by two standout tunes: the expansive, yearning title-track ‘All The Wandering’ and the pensive, horn-infused ‘Breathless Eric’. The eight songs between seamlessly shift with a calm, unifying conviction from the gentle, encouraging ‘Heart of It All’, the swaggering and wistful ‘Soldier’s Fortune‘ to the dark and distorted ‘Way Out East’ and mesmerisingly drowsy ‘Valley of the Souls’. ‘What Becomes of Love’ may just be the hidden hit with its languid, perfect harmonies and bittersweet, timeless lyrics. ALL THE WANDERING is an album that will sweetly haunt you far beyond its end.
We wanted a ‘widescreen’ sound for this record: fat drums, a female choir, horns and clear acoustic guitars so it would drip with atmosphere
says Chris Parkinson.
ALL THE WANDERING by THE YEARLINGS is due for release on Tuesday 10 June through Vitamin Records.
The Yearlings will be touring major cities and regional centers throughout July and August.
JULY/AUGUST 2014 TOUR
Wednesday, July 2
Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall – Brisbane, QLD
Saturday, July 05
Courthouse Hotel – Mullumbimby, NSW
Sunday, July 06
Powerhouse – Brisbane, QLD
Wednesday, July 09
Old Kirks – Yamba, NSW
Friday, July 11
No 5 – Bellingen, NSW
Saturday, July 12
The Block (PRIVATE FUNCTION) – Martinsville, NSW
Sunday, July 13
Sunset Studio – Newcastle, NSW
Thursday, July 17
Django – Sydney, NSW
Friday, July 18
Smiths Alternative Book Shop – Canberra, ACT
Saturday, July 19
Candelo Arts Society, NSW
Sunday, July 20
Paynesville Wine Bar – Paynesville, VIC
Wednesday, July 23
Melbourne Folk Club at Bella Union – Melbourne, VIC
Friday, July 25
Basement Discs In-store – Melbourne, VIC
Friday, July 25
The Main Bar – Ballarat, VIC
Saturday, July 26
Harvester Moon – Bellarine, VIC
Sunday, July 27
The Shed – Maryknoll, VIC
Friday, August 01
The Song Room, Barossa Art Gallery – Tanunda, SA
Saturday, August 02
Rosemount Winery – McLaren Vale, SA
Sunday, August 03
Wheatsheaf Hotel – Thebarton, Adelaide SA
