Melbourne duo The Heartbreak Club are launching their debut Americana singles with a St Kilda show this weekend.
Singer-songwriters Stefanie Duzel and Duncan Phillips have formed The Heartbreak Club to explore the graceful art of country music, offering solace to the broken hearted through their collaborative sound. The duo have recently been writing, recording and performing live with Melbourne rhythm section Luke Richardson on bass and Matt Gibson on drums.
The project evolved from a multi-artist showcase concept at the 2023 Tamworth Country Music Festival, where rotating artists performed original material with a single backing band. Phillips brought the successful format back to Melbourne, where various incarnations of The Heartbreak Club have performed across the city and at Tamworth, developing into a dynamic collective blending country, soul, blues and folk influences.
The Heartbreak Club
- When: Sunday, 29 June
- Where: George Lane, St Kilda
- With: Katie Brianna
- Tickets: Available through TryBooking
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The duo’s debut singles A Hard Thing To Do and If You Come Around showcase Phillips and Duzel trading verses before their country and rock voices blend in soulful choruses. A Hard Thing To Do rides a strong backbeat while exploring themes of enduring love despite personal flaws and self-destructive tendencies. If You Come Around features shimmering electric guitar phrases over a laid-back groove, focusing on offering unwavering support during difficult times.
Both tracks highlight the power and synchronicity of their combined voices, establishing The Heartbreak Club as a songwriting and recording venture under their shared moniker. The singles are available through Bandcamp, streaming services and AMRAP.
Phillips has previously supported legendary artists including Steve Earle and the late Justin Townes Earle, receiving attention from key tastemakers including Melbourne’s 3RRR and PBS, Sydney’s 2SER and JJJ Unearthed. His 2023 album Home on a Saturday Night earned critical acclaim for its diverse collection of songs exploring life, love, learning and loss.
Duzel released her debut album The Other Side in 2023, which received airplay on PBS, 3RRR and community radio stations across Australia. The album was featured in the International Americana Music Show’s Best of 2023 edition, establishing her credentials in the Americana genre.
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