Music Gray area for trio

Alternative country rockers The Gray Brothers will bring their rich folk sound to Geraldton for the first time tomorrow as part of their extensive west coast tour.

The three brothers, Harry, Albert and Elwood, are no strangers to the stage, each with well-established solo careers and a handful of EPs.

Despite jamming together from a young age, the brothers have only recently started performing onstage as a trio and their first set as The Gray Brothers was something of an accident.

“We were all booked separately to play at Nannup Music Festival in 2016,” Harry said.

“Elwood had a really early set on the Monday morning so Albert and I went out there with a bit of sympathy.

“Turned out there was 200 people there and we had this amazing show with this trio that was totally unexpected.

“It kind of just went from there.”

Growing up in some of Australia’s remotest deserts, the brothers spent many nights around the campfire learning classic country and Australian songs on an old acoustic guitar.

With both their parents passionate about music and their mother classically trained in piano, the boys’ musical talents were nurtured and encouraged.

When the family eventually settled in Broome, the boys launched themselves into the music scene and were soon playing in pubs and street festivals. Over the years, the brothers have helped each other out on songs and at shows.

Although they have their brotherly issues, Harry, the eldest, said when they were on stage together everything always worked out.

“Whatever logistical nightmares we’ve been through to get there, it always slots into place,” the 25-year-old said.

“When we play together there’s this natural thing that happens where we kind of have a sixth sense of what each other is doing.

“You really don’t get that from playing with anyone else, it’s just from years of playing together.

“It makes it so much more fun and easier.”

As the musos are yet to release an EP as The Gray Brothers, their set at The Provincial this weekend will feature songs from their solo releases and some classic country tunes. The brothers swap instruments when needed on the night, with Harry often breaking out the five-string banjo.

But there’s one instrument Harry is not allowed near.

“The boys try and keep me off the drum kit because I’m not a very good drummer,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to jumping on the bass and getting out the banjo — it really gets the crowd going.

“I reckon people can expect something that’s pretty fun and upbeat.

“Definitely bring your dancing shoes.”

The Gray Brothers’ show at The Provincial is free.