The Tryouts have an origin story that would make most television executives hyperventilate in pure joy.
Australian Chelsea Reed met Canadian David Macmichael when both were based in Toronto. They knew each other a little bit, but when Chelsea needed a hired hand for a tour through French Canada they ended up on the road together.During this adventure, romance began to blossom and by the end of the tour their feelings for each other had grown so intense that Chelsea asked David to marry her or never see her again – as her visa was running out.
David happily and ridiculously agreed. Awwww, so cute. When the pandemic arrived they decided to uproot their world and move to Australia to wait out the mayhem and start their new life.
Since then they've falling even deeper in love, relishing their life together down under. They recently released their debut EP, 'Nothing Bad Is Ever Going To Happen'.
"'Nothing Bad Is Ever Going To Happen' is a collection of songs we've been working on since forming," the duo says.
"It covers a range of styles we incorporate as a two-piece, and covers autobiographical themes of heartache, rejection, mental health, and slacking off while life passes you by."
After commencing their national tour in Newcastle last week, and ahead of shows in Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Sydney, Chelsea and Dave share 5 bands/ artists they've each discovered from Canada and Australia respectively during their travels together.
Canadian Bands Chelsea Has Discovered
Sloan
Such a gem of a band. Their sound is '60s power pop meets alternative '90s, with killer harmonies and musicianship.
Alvvays
'Archie, Marry Me' (a perfect pop song) was on high rotation for me when I first moved to Toronto and this band will always remind me of wandering around the city, pondering what the next chapter of my life will hold.
The Weather Station
Tamara Lindeman doesn't just write songs, she writes insightful, delicate and poetic vignettes set to music. There are echos of Joni Mitchell, but she is in a league of her own, always pushing musical and lyrical boundaries.
Barenaked Ladies
Maybe a slight cheat here BUT in Australia we only know 'that' song, and they have so many great ones! Dave used to cover their song 'Brian Wilson' a lot and that was my proper introduction to them.
Kathleen Edwards
I made my first solo album in Ottawa with Dave Draves, the producer who worked on Kathleen’s first record. She is an incredible songwriter who blurs the lines between Americana, folk and alt pop, and I took a lot of inspiration from her while I was working on my record.
Australian Bands Dave Has Discovered
Dave The Band
This was my first Australian concert and I couldn't believe how good the songs were. I still play them all the time. Yev Kassem, Noah Church's follow-up solo project is also great.
Elizabeth M. Drummond
I can't remember how I discovered her, but she channels a bit of Elliott Smith and makes it her own, which is my favourite place to be.
I Know Leopard
First time I heard one of their songs it was love. This is a great example of a band with all the goods that is kept secret here in Australia.
Sloan Peterson
We had the great opportunity to open for Sloan, which was how she wound up on my radar – loooove her vibe and there's sort of an underlying Weezer melodic sensibility, which is sort of my background as well so I feel like we have something in common there.
N E W D A R K
A local, mysterious, proggy band with great songs. I'm not really one for flash or pizzaz, give me great songs and I'm happy. I also have a huge soft spot for prog.The Tryouts 2022 Tour Dates
Thu 3 Nov - Some Velvet Morning (Melbourne)Sun 6 Nov - The Bearded Lady (Brisbane)
Thu 10 Nov - Transit Bar (Canberra)
Sat 12 Nov - The Exeter (Adelaide)
Wed 16 Nov - The Vanguard (Sydney)
