Homegrown sibling folk duo The Acfields are kicking off a busy year with the release of single 'Grabbed Me By The Heart' and an accompanying tour.
The music industry is no stranger to sibling folk duos – see Angus and Julia or Tegan and Sara – but The Acfields are something else entirely. They've been praised for not only their successful solo careers, but also their first EP as a duo. This acclaim will no doubt be reinforced upon the release of their single 'Grabbed Me By The Heart' on Friday May 16.
While the track is a lot softer in tone and more poignant in theme than their previous work, it is the perfect example of what The Acfields are capable of. The harmonies throughout the song prove that, despite their incredible talent as individuals, nothing comes close to the kind of sibling bond that Dan and Hannah showcase as their voices weave.
“It's easy for us to pick up harmonies and feed off each other,” Dan says.
“Because we've spent our childhood singing together, we know each other pretty well,” Hannah adds.
Despite being chosen as the duo's next single due to its popularity amongst fans, 'Grabbed Me By The Heart' almost never saw the light of day. The somber lyrics were penned by Dan after the passing of two grandparents, with no initial intention to release the song to the world. “I never thought I'd do anything with it,” admits Dan. “It was a tribute to them. It's about having people in your life for a period of time and just appreciating that time you have with them.”
A tour along Australia's east coast will coincide with the release of the single, taking The Acfields all the way from Victoria to Queensland, with a trip back down south to Byron Bay and Parramatta at the tail end of the tour. While the tour is aimed to promote 'Grabbed Me By The Heart', fans are sure to hear tracks from the duo's upcoming debut album, set for release this September. Fuelled by a successful crowdfunding campaign via Pozible – the pair raised over $10,000 – Dan and Hannah have been working their hands to the bone to produce the album.
The crowdfunding not only allowed the two to finish the album ahead of schedule, but also permitted elements that may not have been feasible otherwise, such as the inclusion of string instruments, something Hannah has always wanted to do: “We were able to put in some strings – a cello and violin – into some of the songs,” she says. “I've always wanted to use strings on other recordings I've done, but it's never worked out."
The Acfields also put on a private show for a handful of lucky crowdfunders in each of their home cities. While a private show would itself be the ultimate treat for die-hard followers of the siblings, there was indeed a cherry on top: The Acfields performed their upcoming album in its entirety, giving a few dozen fans a sneak-peek of things to come.
Amazingly, The Acfields achieved all this despite living a state apart. With Hannah based in Melbourne and Dan in Brisbane, The Acfields have indeed found elements of the creative process difficult.
“Writing and rehearsing, they're the two biggest,” Hannah says about the struggles of living away from a musical partner.
“We have to do it in intense blocks,” Dan says. “We have done stuff online, sent each other stuff, but it's not as easy as meeting up with someone in person. You try to get done what you can away from them, and when you come together you have to practice or rehearse or write really intensely.”
'Grabbed Me By The Heart' will be on sale online and at shows on Friday May 16, and is free to hear on their site. Fans can also catch The Acfields on these dates:
Thurs May 15 – The Toff In Town (Melbourne)
Fri May 23 – Babushka Lounge (Ballarat)
Sun May 25 – The Westernport Hotel (San Remo)
Thurs May 29 – Dowse Bar (Brisbane)
Sat May 31 – TAPS (Mooloolaba)
Sun June 1 – Frankie Brown (Byron Bay) Cancelled
Sat June 14 – Mars Hill Cafe (Parramatta)
