It has been a big 12 months for The Swamp Stompers.
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They recorded their Shadows on the Wall EP and released it last September, before it played on Triple J four times in two months and made it into the top 10 on the Australian blues and roots airplay charts.
“I’m just stoked it’s out in the world and I think it’s a solid representation of us,” guitarist and lead vocalist Corey Legge said.
It was the first album of theirs that has all three singing a song as well as each writing songs for the EP.
“I still wrote the majority of songs on the EP, but it’s still nice to sit back and listen to a different take on the genre we’re doing at the moment, which is blues and rock,” Legge said.
They have wrapped up a two-month national tour across Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Western Australia with Shadows on the Wall.
After some shows this summer, and hopefully some snow tours in winter, they plan on focusing on a new album to be released in 2020.
It has been a long time on the road for the band founded by Legge and Mitch Broadhead, both from the Bega Valley, as this May will mark seven years of making music.
“When we first started we didn’t have a base and were performing songs that were just focusing on being energetic and upbeat,” Legge said.
“We had a mission of going out and getting people on their feet dancing.
“Over the years we’ve matured as songwriters and have moved away a bit from traditional blues and mixed it into a set list that has more rock and funk influences.
“We’ve also tried to incorporate more pop sensibilities into our songs, to try and broaden the demographics that come to our shows.”
These days the lineup features Legge as well as bassist and circular-breathing extraordinaire Luke Ligtenberg and drummer Oli Morley-Sattler.
Legge is now based in Wollongong, which was a good move with Ligtenberg near Taree and Morley-Sattler in Katoomba as it means there are now only five-hour drives for band rehearsals, rather than 10.
One of the highlights over the years has been seeing the crowds supporting them grow.
Legge said when they first started maybe 10 to 50 people would show up to a gig, but now they pack venues with 200 to 300 people on a regular basis.
The Swamp Stompers will perform with grunge rock duo Paperhill on Friday, January 11 from 8pm at the Murrah Hall which is at 2989 Tathra-Bermagui Rd, Murrah.
Tickets are $20, kids 16 and under are free. Curries will be available on the night.