Halfway (band)

Halfway was formed in 2000 by John Busby, Elwin Hawtin, Ben Johnson and Chris Dale in Windsor, Brisbane. The lineup was later rounded out with the addition of Dublin-born brothers Noel Fitzpatrick (pedal steel) and Liam Fitzpatrick (banjo/mandolin).

Halfway's debut album Farewell to the Fainthearted was released in 2003 to warm critical acclaim.[3] The band toured nationally, and their single "Patience Back" received high rotation airplay on Triple J. Farewell to the Fainthearted was included in The Courier-Mail's Top 10 albums of 2003.[4]

In September 2006, Halfway released their second studio album, Remember the River. It was recorded by Wayne Connolly (The Vines, Josh Pyke, You Am I) the album saw Radio Birdman frontman Rob Younger in the producer's chair. The album received much acclaim from critics, and generated interest in Europe and the UK, where it received airplay on BBC Radio. Remember the River was included in The Courier-Mail's Top 10 albums of 2006.[5]

In 2008, the band's core songwriting duo (Busby and Dale) were the recipients of one of Australia's most prestigious songwriting awards – The Grant McLennan Fellowship. The selection panel included members of the Go-Betweens, the McLennan family and Arts Queensland.[6]

2009 saw the band recruit former Go-Betweens frontman Robert Forster to produce their third album. After months of rehearsal under Forster's guidance, a new LP was recorded, entitled An Outpost of Promise.

In 2010, the band added John Willsteed (ex-The Go-Betweens) on guitar, and Luke Peacock on keyboards.[7]

In February 2014, Halfway released their fourth album, Any Old Love, which was again produced by Forster. At the AIR Awards of 2014, the album won Best Independent Country Album.[8]

In 2015, the song "Dulcify" from Any Old Love won "Song of the Year" & "Best Country Song" at the Queensland Music Awards.[9]

The band's fifth studio album, The Golden Halfway Record, was released in April 2016.[10] It was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, by lauded producer Mark Nevers (Calexico, Bonnie Prince Billy, George Jones), the album was met with a series of five star reviews.[11]

In August 2018 the band's sixth album Rain Lover. Rain Lover is described as a concept album about the life of John Busby's father. It is a story of big dreams, conflict and addiction and the songs include real people and characters from the Central Queensland town of Rockhampton in the 1960s-1980s. The album received a 5-star review in The Australian newspaper on the week of release.[12]