Image courtesy of Traveller & Fortune
Adelaide is home to an outstanding number of folk influenced bands. On any given night you could see indie-folk, gypsy-folk, folk-punk, folk-rock, folk-pop, folk inspired singer/songwriters, folk inspired blues & roots and just about every other combination imaginable. But a lot of artists use the term “folk” loosely, and sometimes, one must search rigorously to find its influence amongst all the others. This is not the case with Traveller & Fortune, Adelaide’s folk torch carriers of 2010, who as a result have become a formidable blip on the local radar.
Front-man Tom West is joined by band-mates Ally, Sophia and Jayne who provide accompaniment on instruments ranging from xylophone and keys, to flute and saxophone, to ukulele and double bass. All four members sing, allowing background harmonies to soften the edges at every turn. Tom West’s calm and soulful voice stands above the rest during group choruses, partly because of its uniqueness and partly because it’s the only male voice in the mix. Unsurprisingly, West has the ability to deliver a stirring performance as a solo artist as well, which he proved earlier this year at the Vorn Doolette benefit gig.
Traveller & Fortune released their EP in October (which is available from Bandcamp here), launching it with support from Todd Sibbin and the Opposite Ends to a packed Promethean in Adelaide, and have since received the odd spin from triple j as a reward. Recent gigs with Rachel Cearns, Olivers Army and Juliet Ward as well as a couple of shows at the Fleurieu Folk Festival have ensured a strong finish to 2010. Recently, two members have departed overseas for a well earned holiday, so we must all wait until mid February for our next fix. As well as booking shows for Fringe and Fuse festivals in the new year, Traveller & Fortune will be heading interstate at some point (the details about where and with whom are yet to be confirmed), giving you all a chance to experience this promising folk outfit for yourselves.
“Letter to Japan” is a Myspace highlight, but their music video to “Flying” (shot by Ryan Polei), whilst simple, is of particular quality.
Country of Origin: Australia (Adelaide)
Sounds Like: The Low Anthem, Bon Iver
File Under: Indie-folk
Myspace: myspace.com/travellerandfortune
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Timber & Steel Folk Showcase (presented by fourwords)- Sunday 17th April, The Jade Monkey, Adelaide « Timber and Steel said,
April 6, 2011 at 21:39
[...] promises to be a fantastic night of folk. On the bill is the magnificent singer songwriter behind Traveller & Fortune- Tom West, the rootsy 3 piece Todd Sibbin & The Opposite Ends, and young singer songwriters [...]
Review: Traveller & Fortune- Self Titled EP (Timber & Steel Folk Showcase Preview) « Timber and Steel said,
April 13, 2011 at 22:48
[...] local acts for granted in a city like Adelaide where the better acts gig most weeks, and although I’ve spotlighted them before for Timber & Steel, I feel like I need to do more to spread the word. Tom West, the front-man [...]
Traveller & Fortune Launching New Release This Sunday 7/8/11 at The Jade Monkey, Adelaide « Timber and Steel said,
August 5, 2011 at 20:02
[...] courtesy of Traveller & Fortune Who?: Traveller & Fortune supported by Ryan Meeking What?: Launching a new 5 track release [...]
Banished Now From My Native Shore: The Verse of Frank the Poet « Timber and Steel said,
December 31, 2011 at 13:18
[...] Paul James (US), The Timbers, Todd Sibbin, Emily Davis, A.P D’Antonio, Bearded Gypsy Band and Tom West, will provide a beautiful opportunity for a rare link to be made from blues and roots music to the [...]