A surprisingly happy union of southern acoustica and 60s-70s pure pop, The Swamp Dandies, combine the permanent talents of ARIA Award winning singer-songwriter and APRA Songwriter of the Year; Greg Arnold with John Bedggood (Bernard Fanning and The Wilson Pickers) and Monique Zucco (Canvas). Previously of Things of Stone & Wood, Arnold’s recent work includes producer credits for Stonefield, Skipping Girl Vinegar and Carus Thompson.

Sounding like a Mark Twain character walking down Carnaby Street in 1966, The Swamp Dandies blend fiddles, mandolin, gospel piano and stompy drums with sweeping pop melody and harmonies.

While this is the band’s first album, they have been touring since 2000, when they formed as an acoustic version of Greg Arnold’s Tricycle to support the release of the ABC play listed album “Super”. After countless national tours they have finally made the journey into the studio to record this astonishing orchestral folk pop debut. Tracked by David McCluney at Melbourne’s Atlantis Sound, mixed and mastered in Nashville by Brad Jones and Jim Demain.

The album is a colourful emotive journey with plenty of pocket sized melodic and harmonic feasts, like the charming ‘Tomorrow’ and the Georgia Fields’ duet “Tumbling down”. First single “Olivia” tells the tale of a Nashville waiter who’s days are spent pining for a visit from Livvie and “Until You Fall” is a Let It Be-esque ballad of Spector-ish proportions with all of the strings and brass and none of the hand guns. “The Deal” is a dark ocean journey, whilst “Are You True?” is a slow swampy suspicious rock out.

Released November 18th, “Fall” is out through Stum Pop / Minds Eye Records / MGM.

The tour kicks off this Friday:

Nov 4 Harvester Moon Lavender Farm & Restaurant, Bellarine, VIC

Nov 6 Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury, VIC (Matinee show)

Nov 25-27 Queenscliff Music Festival with Carus Thomspon, VIC (Greg Arnold solo)

Dec 1 The Torquay Hotel, Torquay with Carus Thomspon, VIC (Greg Arnold solo)

Dec 4 Powerhouse, Brisbane, QLD

Dec 3 Sydney Livehouse, Lewisham, with The Lucky Dutchmen, NSW

Dec 8 Northcote Social Club, Melb with Carus Thompson, VIC

Jan 14 Laver’s Hill Town Hall, Laver Hill, VIC