Since the release of their debut studio album 'Half Mile Harvest' in 2017, The Teskey Brothers have gone from strength to strength.
Winning multi ARIA Awards in 2019 for their second studio record, 'Run Home Slow', the band entered COVID lockdowns on a high.Known for their spectacular live performances – they've been nominated for Best Australian Live Act three years running as part of the ARIA Awards – the band released two 'live' albums during the pandemic: 'Live At The Forum' (recorded in November 2019) and 'Live At Hamer Hall' (recorded in December 2020).
They've recently been back on the road, supporting the Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney shows on Jimmy Barnes' Soul Deep 30 tour.
For vocalist Josh Teskey, having a run of shows has felt like being on tour again. "We've done quite a bit with Jimmy over the last few years, but it has been really nice to do a big run of shows," he says.
"Also just having him do this solo record, singing these old Motown classics, it feels like a really good match for us. It's just really nice to hear him smashing out the soul, you know? It's beautiful."
The Barnes tour support was the longest run The Teskey Brothers have been able to do since emerging from lockdown, after having to cancel their scheduled US tour – including an appearance at The Governors Ball in New York due to Josh's voice.
"Long story short, it's really due to just having a massive break, a two-year kind of COVID break," Josh says.
"I tried to jump back on the horse the same way I used to – we used to go on tour for 3 weeks and do 17 shows in 20 days or something, and it would never be a problem; although nothing is physically wrong, I'm basically struggling to build up my [vocal] strength again."
With the American tour proving too much in the middle of his recovery, Josh says the band will reschedule the tour once he has built his stamina back up.
"I was singing [during COVID] but nothing actually compares to properly touring and being on the stage, because the added adrenaline and everything adds a whole other element to it," he says.
"I take it very seriously; over the years of doing it and struggling through it as well – I mean singing the way I sing puts a certain level of pressure on your body and your vocal cords, so taking a break was kind of the end of it."
Rather than a full run of Teskey Brothers shows, the band will be popping up at a number of festivals for the foreseeable future. And with brand-new festival like the Sapphire Coast's Wanderer Festival on their schedule, Josh and the band are feeling "incredibly blessed" to perform alongside acts like DMA'S, The Dandy Warhols and American soul artist Curtis Harding (at his only Australian show).
Also appearing at the festival is Emma Donovan, who recorded and released a cover of Archie Roach's 'Get Back To The Land' with the Teskeys earlier this year.
"We did that track together and we've been trying to find those moments to do it live, but there hasn't been that many opportunities, actually," Josh says.
"No promises, but I think we're trying to work it out – I hope we get more of a chance to do it, it's such a pleasure to do that song with her."
Fans may also have a chance to see the track live at Queenscliff Music Festival later this year, where both The Teskey Brothers and Emma Donovan and The Putbacks will appear.
Josh says guest appearances on other acts' festival sets was something he himself was building more of, particularly at repeat events like Bluesfest. "That's really how I started doing all this stuff with Jimmy Barnes, and I've jumped up with all sorts of people over the years," he says.
"It's a pleasure to be able to share the stage with all of these amazing acts."
The Teskey Brothers play Wanderer Festival (Pambula Beach, NSW), which runs 23-25 September, and Queenscliff Music Festival that runs 25-27 November.
The Teskey Brothers 2022 Tour Dates
Sat 24 Sep - Good Day Sunshine Festival (Busselton)Sat 5 Nov - Sirromet Wines (Brisbane)* supporting Crowded House
Sun 6 Nov - Sirromet Wines (Brisbane)* supporting Crowded House
