It's only taken six years, but the trio of Dyson Stringer Cloher have finally found time to write and record their debut album of original material.
In 2013, Mia Dyson, Liz Stringer and Jen Cloher collaborated on a three-track EP, which they toured extensively before setting off once more on their respective musical paths. “That first tour we did in 2013 was huge,” Jen says.“We did about 40 dates around Australia playing in remote areas in the Northern Territory and WA – it was a real exploration and we discovered on that tour that there really was a chemistry there [between us].
“You can feel it if it's going to be a thing or not, but we've never written together so that three-track EP, which were our own songs we brought to the band and recorded them together, but it wasn't like actually sitting at a table thrashing out the arrangement, lyrics and harmonies.”
Spread between Los Angeles, Toronto, Adelaide and Melbourne, Mia, Liz and Jen decided that whenever they were all in the same town at the same time, they would spend time writing together. “Six years later we finally had a window of time where we were all going to be pretty quiet,” Jen says.
“What was great about the album was that these are songs that we have, for the main part, written together so we really own them as a band.”
Dyson Stringer Cloher spent a few weeks on the road at the end of last year performing songs from the new album. “Going out and playing shows as a band was a very different experience,” Jen says.
“It was a lot more like a thing whereas the last tour we did in 2013 we really just played each other's songs. I hope it's not as long between the first and second album. I think we'll have more momentum between records this time.”
Dyson Stringer Cloher bring their debut album to WOMADelaide as part of their 2020 touring schedule, an event Jen has never attended as performer or punter despite growing up in Adelaide. “I left [Adelaide] before WOMADelaide became a thing,” she says.
“Everyone raves about how beautiful it is and how they set it up, so I'm really excited to have this experience. Every festival has its own culture. As you get older you want things paced in a more gentle gear and that's why I love the sound of WOMADelaide, it sounds very chill.
“I think Mia has played it a couple of times in the past and everyone I speak to, both punters and bands that have played there, speak so highly of it.
“I think it's one of the most esteemed festivals in the country just as far as the way they treat their artists, the quality of production, where it is; they really take care of you. It can't be an easy thing to pull off, but they got it right and they know what they're doing.”
Dyson Stringer Cloher play WOMADelaide (Adelaide), which runs 6-9 March.
Dyson Stringer Cloher 2020 Tour Dates
28-29 Feb - New Hall (Point Lonsdale, VIC)Sun 8 Mar - A Festival Called Panama (Golconda, TAS)
Thu 12 Mar - Altar (Hobart)
Sat 14 Mar - The Milton Theatre (South Coast, NSW)
Sun 15 Mar - The Vanguard (Sydney)
Fri 20 Mar - Estonian House (Melbourne)
Sat 21 Mar - Volta (Ballarat)
26-27 Mar - The Sound Doctor (Anglesea, VIC)
Sat 28 Mar - Day By The Bay (Melbourne)
Sat 28 Mar - Meadow Music Festival (Bambra, VIC)
Sat 4 Apr - Mojo's Bar (Fremantle)
Sat 25 Apr - The Gum Ball (Hunter Valley)
