Northern Beaches soul-blues duo The Stomp'n Ramblers (Owen Mancell and Ryan Stone) are celebrating the release of their debut album, 'Kick'n Stones', today (24 October).
The title track of the project is the third in a list of 11 songs on the album – a spirited, knee-slapping three minutes of reflections and reminders – including the realisation that holding on to the past can weigh us down, and sometimes, the only way forward is to simply let go.
“There’s always that one song that shows up just before you record an album – and you have to make the decision to let something else go. This was that song,” Owen says. “We just had a solid session where things came together naturally and we were feeling pretty positive. The lyrics came from a chance meeting years ago Stoney had with a guy in Brazil – when asked what he’d been up to, replied, 'not much, just kick’n stones' – That simple phrase stuck, and it ended up fitting perfectly with the feel of this track.”
It’s a song about letting go, moving on, and rolling with wherever the road takes you.
'Kick'n Stones' comes from The Stomp'n Ramblers album of the same name, which is released today. It began taking shape in the pandemic, when Ryan and Owen were playing in a band called The Blind Pilots. Encouraged by feedback from local audiences on their songs, a new project was born. . . And the pair began demoing more seriously.
The title track (and its video – which scenestr is amped to be premiering today) is carried by smooth vocals, a mesmerising harmonica, and lyrics tinged with themes of feeling free, letting go, and taking each day as it comes.
The video was shot and edited by Riley O'Toole.
“'Kick’n Stones' was filmed at the Avalon Golf Club, where Riley set us up on the old leather lounge, framed by heritage photos on the walls. The setting carries the same lived-in character that threads through our music, while its rich, earthy tones echos the deep greens featured in our singles’ artwork.”
“The clip drifts between long shots and close-ups, almost tracing the twang of the melody as it bounces between us. The harmonica dances with the resinator to create a modern take on a traditional blues track. The song itself was born from a free-spirited jam – 'no destination in mind just going with the flow, kick'n stones as I go. . . Can't be holding on to all that is gone'.”
The Stomp'n Ramblers play the Deep North Festival (Avalon) 6 December, Billinudgel Hotel 26 December, and Six Strings Brewery (Erina) 31 January.
