A South Australian duo who each bring a wealth of experience to the table, Tin Town is a new folk, Americana, country project featuring wife-and-husband team Courtney Robb and Snooks La Vie.
Officially launching earlier this year, after playing together for a number years, Tin Town is built upon unfiltered storytelling and crafting soundscapes that mimic real life: a bit weathered, a bit tender, always authentic.
The group's name is a local nod to the area they call home, the Port Adelaide Wool Stores Heritage Precinct which garnered the nickname 'Tin Town' thanks to the area's rich abundance of corrugated iron houses, wide dusty streets, and colourful characters that provide potent inspiration for their music.
Released last week, 'Down In The Dirt' is Tin Town's debut album; it features 11 original tracks recorded with producer Ryan Martin John of Cactus Cactus Sound and an all-star band: Tom Kneebone, BJ Barker, Lyndon Gray, Graeme Hollis and Lucky Oceans.
Think folk, country, and blues in equal measure that's best listened to with a glass of red in hand and nowhere to be. "To be honest, it's a little terrifying putting these songs into the world.
"They come from really personal places – family stories, love, grief, and the kind of moments you can't quite put into words, so you write them down instead. There's also a lot of fun moments in there too with the most amazing band!
"Thank you for listening, for showing up, and for giving this music a home outside of us. We can't wait to share it with you."
Ahead of a number of live shows (scroll down for the dates), we get to know Tin Town.
Who is... We are Tin Town, wife and husband duo from South Australia (Courtney Robb & Snooks La Vie). We both had our own solo careers when we first met and eventually joined forces to write and play together. Both singers, Courtney on guitar and Snooks harmonica extraordinaire. We play folk/ Americana/ country.
We sound like... Whether we sound like it or not our sound is influenced by Kathleen Edwards, Guy Clark, Lucinda Williams, Paul Kelly.
Our first gig... As Tin Town was at the Grace Emily Hotel June 2025 for the release of the first single off the album 'Down In The Dirt', but we have been playing as Courtney & Snooks for many years now.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision... We've had the name kicking around for the last two years in the preparation of our debut album. It has a significant reference to the historic Port Adelaide Wool Store Precinct, which is close to where we reside.
In the studio we usually... We record live in the studio. We like the sense of urgency it brings to the music and it keeps the sound authentic and organic.
If we could tour with anyone... It would have to be one of our current faves Kathleen Edwards, or Bonny Light Horseman, but Willie Nelson would be a dream support gig.
Social media is... A necessity these days. It's a bit of a love/ hate relationship. We remember the days a musician's main focus was making music, but so much time and effort is put into social media promotion for artists now. It does open up doors that were once not possible, so it’s not all bad!
My favourite app at the moment is... Courtney is on Duolingo everyday honing her French skills.
To date, our most embarrassing moment was the time... Too many to mention, but Snooks getting his pants belt loop caught on the lug of the drummer's kick drum whilst bending down to get a spring of water during the guitarist solo only to stand up with the kick drum attached to his backside.
Life on the road can be... Challenging. Lack of sleep, lots of down time to not enough downtime, missing the home comfy bed, but when you get to be on the road with your partner it makes you feel very lucky! We have the best time together.
If you'll have us on your bill, all we ask is that our rider contains... A few VB beers for our drummer BJ and a bottle of Pinot noir to share; and vego food options!
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? We love our home in Port Adelaide, but Manhattan would be fun for a bit. We love the bars, arts scene and the community vibrancy.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams, Rev Al Green.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? Courtney is a great cook, so it would be something hearty, vego with lots of depth of flavour. Very simple, wholesome home-cooking paired with our favourite South Australian wines.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? We love dogs. We lost our boy Samson early in the year and miss him so much. Our second single off the album is called 'Samson' in memory or our beloved furry son.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Adelaide Hills Pinot noir.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Every week in the boxing gym (Snooks).
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Ironing!
Do you have any phobias... Courtney has emetophobia (fear of vomiting).
Would you ever partake in a reality show? Courtney hates being in front of a camera so I highly doubt it!
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? Yiros joint not far from our favourite pub the Grace Emily Hotel.
Last show you binge-watched? 'FROM' – we love a little bit of horror.
Tin Town 2025 Tour Dates
Sat 25 Oct - Fleurieu Folk Festival (Adelaide)Sat 8 Nov - Ballara Retreat (Warooka)
Fri 21 Nov - Odessa at Leaver's (Creswick)
Sat 22 Nov - Cosmopolitan Hotel (Trentham)
Sun 23 Nov - Merri Creek Tavern (Melbourne)
Sat 13 Dec - Wheatsheaf Hotel (Adelaide)
Sun 21 Dec - Murray Delta Juke Joint (Goolwa)
