What began as a multi-artist showcase at the 2023 Tamworth Country Music Festival has now become an ongoing project called The Heartbreak Club with members Stefanie Duzel and Duncan Phillips, both singer-songwriters from Victoria. Scotland-born Phillips released his first album, The Wilderness, in 2016 and second album Home on a Saturday Night in 2023; he has supported artists such as Steve Earle and the late Justin Townes Earle. Duzel also released an album in 2023, her debut, The Other Side.
After the original Heartbreak Club, various incarnations have taken to stages across Melbourne and at TCMF, becoming a dynamic collective that blends country, soul, blues, and folk influences. Continuing the evolution, Phillips and Duzel have been writing, recording, and playing live with bass player Luke Richardsonand Matt Gibson on drums.
The Heartbreak Club now have their first two releases in a double single, ‘A Hard Thing to Do’ and ‘If You Come Around’, both having their premieres here today.
Listen to ‘A Hard Thing to Do’: https://theheartbreakclub.bandcamp.com/track/a-hard-thing-to-do
Listen to ‘If You Come Around’: – https://theheartbreakclub.bandcamp.com/track/if-you-come-around
Lyrically, ‘A Hard Thing to Do’ is about the challenge and compromise of love, with Phillips taking the lead vocal and Duzel supporting. However, the upbeat, infectious music attached to those lyrics suggests that while ‘loving me is a hard thing to do’, there is still momentum in this relationship.
If ‘A Hard Thing to Do’ is a little bit salty, second track ‘If You Come Around’ is delightfully sweet, with each singer offering support and succour if the other comes around. It’s not the opposite of the other track, because it’s not about love being easy, as in that offer of support there’s tacit acknowledgement that some days can be bad and that we all need someone to love us when they are.
There’s a balance, though, between the songs – and the artists. Musically that balance works because Phillips has a naturally strong tone and Duzel matches it not by trying to out-sing him but by leaning into her own strength. No doubt it also comes from the fact that the pair were established solo artists before this project began, but they also have to be able to keep showing up as themselves inside the partnership – easier said than done, and it promises much for the future of the collaboration.
Both singles are officially released to radio and streaming services on 25 June.
The Heartbreak Club launch their singles on Sunday 29 June at George Lane in St Kilda, supported by Katie Brianna. Tickets available here.
