The Audreys x Beatles vs Stones
The Audreys
Adelaide's favourite alt country pioneers, ARIA winners and AMC SA Music Hall of Fame inductees.
ARIA Award-winning troubadours The Audreys return with Beatles V Stones, the second single from their highly anticipated fifth studio album, Ruin & Repair, released on March 14. To celebrate, the band is taking the album on the road with an extensive national tour, giving fans the chance to experience their latest work live.
A reflection on the timeless rivalry between fans of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, Beatles V Stones unfolds as a lush, country-infused ballad, weaving tranquil melodies with swooning instrumentation over a swaying 12/8 country rhythm. Drawing inspiration from the rich storytelling style of Jason Isbell, The Audreys' vocalist Taasha Coates reveals that the track initially carried the working title: “that Jason Isbell one.”
“One of the first questions I ask people to figure out if I’ll like them or not is ‘Beatles or Stones?’ (For the record, I’m firmly Team Stones),” shares Coates. “This song is about that. I wrote most of it on my own on guitar, then my guitarist Tom came in and added the bridge and some cool harmonic moments.”
The track also marks a personal milestone for Coates, who picked up the guitar for the first time during COVID lockdowns. “I was a piano player up until then, plus I dabbled with ukulele, harmonica, melodica, and other small and silly instruments. At first, I hated the guitar because it tore up my fingers, but once I got past the pain, I fell in love with how easy it made songwriting. A guitar is always just within reach—you don’t have to get up and walk to the piano when inspiration strikes.”
With Beatles V Stones paving the way, Ruin & Repair promises to be one of The Audreys' most heartfelt and evocative albums to date. Stay tuned for tour dates and more as they gear up to bring their signature sound to audiences across Australia.