Alternative Country from The Immaculate Crows

Hailing from Brisbane, The Immaculate Crows have forged a unique legacy in the world of Australian alternative music over several decades. Originally formed back in 1981 by Bruce Neilsen, a talented songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, the band distilled the essence of the underground punk, new wave and indie pop movements that were sweeping through Australia at the time.

Known for their original blend of sounds and socially conscious lyrics, The Immaculate Crows left a lasting impression before their initial breakup in 1985. However, the story didn’t end there. In 2019, Bruce Neilsen reunited with former bandmate Mark Hocknell, breathing new life into the project and re-igniting their creative spark. This reunion resulted in a series of fresh recordings, with Hocknell co-producing and playing on several tracks written by Neilsen. By February 2021, Hocknell had departed once again, but The Immaculate Crows evolved into an exciting collective of musicians, with a fluid lineup that contributed to the band’s ongoing creative output.

Throughout, Bruce Neilsen has remained the driving force behind the project. His songwriting explores a wide range of topics, from intimate love songs to heavier themes of youth suicide, domestic violence, poverty and isolation. Their sound draws from influences as diverse as punk, psychedelic, new wave and rhythm and blues, making their catalogue astonishingly diverse and thoroughly engaging.

Since their revival in 2019, The Immaculate Crows have been on a prolific creative spree, sharing their musical vision across multiple well-received singles, EPs and full-length records. This year they’ve kept up the momentum with several new releases of original material and now bring us their single from February titled “My Sister and Me.”

The track explores the powerful bond between siblings, set against a backdrop of delicate harmonies and memorable melodies, all wrapped up in an alternative country style. Featuring the voice of Nicky Steel, her stunning vocal performance shines while Carolyn Neilsen’s stellar production brings the song to life in dazzling fashion. Recorded in Brisbane, the song slides into a charming country scene with bright harmonica tones gliding above the gentle taps of percussion and delicate slide guitar work.

With Nicky’s smooth vocals threading elegant melodies and heartfelt lyricism, the song flows with catchy melodic hooks and grooving rhythm to craft a delightful jam that’s timeless and enjoyable in equal measure. Full of intricate instrumental flourishes of lead guitar, “My Sister and Me” is a stunning showcase of the enduring musical vision of Bruce Neilsen and The Immaculate Crows.

Listen to My Sister and Me below

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