After two years of writing, shaping, and refining, StoneWilde is finally ready to roar. A brand-new outfit with its boots planted firmly in the alt-country rock tradition, StoneWilde blends heartland grit with soulful storytelling, echoing the likes of Springsteen, Neil Young, and Paul Kelly, with a twist of ragged riffage from the modern Americana frontier.

Fronted by Rusty (The Ugly Kings) on vocals and rhythm guitar, the lineup brings together an electric mix of seasoned players: Jake Winter (ex-Winter Moon, now Sordid Ordeal) on searing lead guitar, Ed Hund on keys and harmonies, Aaron Melnyk behind the kit, and Jonathan Jones (Wild Dog Mountains) locking it down on bass. This is a band forged slowly and deliberately—and now the time has come to set it loose.

Joining StoneWilde on the night is the one-man rambling roots tornado Grim Fawkner. Whether with a whisper or a wall of sound, Grim spins tales from the road like few can. With accolades like “Melbourne’s Best Busker,” support slots for Kasey Chambers and Marcus King, and appearances at Bluesfest and beyond, Grim brings fire, finesse, and raw storytelling to the stage.

Opening the evening is the mesmerising Joyce Prescher. With a voice that haunts and lyrics that linger, Joyce has carved her place in the folk and Americana landscape. Her latest album Out Of My Mind earned national praise and chart placements, cementing her as one of the scene’s most captivating voices. Think Joni Mitchell by way of Melbourne’s smoky laneways.

This is a launch, but it’s also a long time coming.