“Desire Lines’ is a triumph, representing huge growth in the band’s songwriting and delivery. Threaded with a subtle sense of wry humour, soaring melodies and shimmering instrumentation – 8.8/10 Backseat Mafia
“Desire Lines is a delightful time warp to the era of 80’s and 80’s Australian indie rock.” Rhythms Magazine
Featuring members of The Hollowmen, Helvelln, and The Vandas, Blackbirds FC play a fascinating fusion of alt.country and indie rock inspired by the Go-Betweens, The Church, XTC, and Paul Kelly.
Following the highly successful release of their albums Field Recordings (2019) and Magiclands in 2022, the band released their third LP Desire Lines in July 2025.
The new record combines all their strengths – hook-laden melodies, a Pixies-influenced rhythm section, ringing guitars, and heavenly vocal harmonies.
Warmly received with airplay across the country on 3PBS, Triple R, 4ZZZ, 2SER and 3RTR, the new record channels literate indie pop and art rock creating a vivid, compelling and uniquely Australian musical landscape.
Riding on three singles released in 2024 ‘Rings Around The Sun’, ‘Lake of Stars’ and ‘What’s the Half-Life of Loving You?’, Desire Lines showcases the band’s innate ability to cut straight to the heart with stories and imagery that resonate and challenge the listener.
Listen to Blackbirds FC via Bandcamp, streaming services, and Amrap for community radio.
PRESS
“…Now Blackbirds FC release ‘What’s the Half-Life of Loving You?‘ a song that combines all the band’s strengths – hook-laden melodies, a Pixies-influenced rhythm section, ringing and resonant guitars and heavenly vocal harmonies” Janglepop Hub
“Influenced by XTC, Tinariwen, and the Beach Boys, the song continues their fascinating fusion of alt-country and indie rock.” Rhythms on ‘Lake of Stars’
“I’ve seen them a couple of times live recently and they’re fantastic!” Radio City on PBS
“It’s a thrilling journey that jingles and jangles with a yearning melancholia. It’s a little bit of Teenage Fanclub with traces in the mix evident of classic antipodean bands like Paul Kelly, The Hoodoo Gurus and The Go-Betweens.” Backseat Mafia
“Melbourne’s Blackbirds FC create beautifully layered lush sonic journeys, telling their stories with warm vocals… The jangly guitars and keyboards are joyfully interlaced with the vibrant melody, boosted by the powerful rhythm section.” the AU review
Blackbirds FC are: Jeff Baker – Guitar; Phil Campbell – Drums; Julien Chick – Bass; Jeremy Gronow – vocals, guitar; Gina Hearnden – vocals, guitar; and, Bec Long – Cello
FOR FANS OF: Wilco, Pixies, Big Star, Midnight Oil, R.E.M.