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Singer-songwriters Patrick McDermott and Rhys North share a rare and enigmatic musical talent. Emerging from Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley in 2015, the duo McDermott & North have already drawn praise from the Australian and international music industry alike.
Staying true to their busking roots, the pair approach every performance with the same precision and meticulous attention to sound. It is with this humility that they have elevated themselves as live performers and captivated the likes of Australia’s very own Ben Lee and Alex Lloyd whom they shared the stage with in 2021.
Their most recent singles ‘Ally’, ‘Georgia’ & ‘Elope” have received generous support from both Triple J & National NZ Radio as well as BBC Radio London. But most importantly, the indie-rock outfit have amassed an impressive and hardcore following everywhere they park their van.
McDermott & North have made fans far and wide over the past few years, with media support here at home from Triple J, ABC Breakfast Radio, and globally with National NZ Radio and BBC Radio London / Scotland / Belfast, as well as receiving features from Scenestr, Beat Magazine, Forte Mag, The Music, The Creative Issue, Girl.com.au, MILKY, and many more.
After supporting Australian icon Ben Lee at a show in Brisbane, he invited them to record with him in LA. Though recording in Los Angeles wasn’t feasible, McDermott & North entrusted Ben Lee with their guitar and vocal stems to complete the EP. Ben Lee railed an exceptional team to contribute their expertise including Joey Waronker on drums (Beck, Roger Waters, REM), Roger Manning Jr on Keys (Jellyfish, Glen Campbell, U2, Broken Social Scene) and Mike Viola on bass (Panic at the Disco, Dawes, Ryan Adams). It is a credit to McDermott & North that their songs were enough to draw a team like this together. The EP was received with high praise from critics and fans alike. With multiple plays on Triple J & BBC Radio London.
Mid 2023 McDermott & North made the brave decision of moving over to the UK in pursuit of bigger audiences. Within a few days of arriving, McDermott & North played their first UK gig at a 15,000 person festival, sub-headlining/main support to Sam Ryder.
Press Reviews:
“Clearly dedicated to the preservation of the song…”
(Gary Crowley, BBC Radio)
“This is such feel good 60s tinged pop that backs up the positive spin on bad stuff happening message with a sunny sounding song.”
(Declan Byrne, Triple J) [About ‘All Things Come And Go’]
“After jamming out to ‘All Things Come and Go’ for months, I thought I’d better explore the McD & N back catalogue, and I’m not disappointed! This is gorgeous, and just affirms my love for McDermott & North! These guys are all class.”
(Lachie Pringle, Triple J) [About ‘All Things Come And Go’]
“Fair warning to anyone about to hit play, do NOT listen to this if you’re expecting to have a clean brain at any point over the next fortnight. Very hard to dislodge this chorus, it’s got staying power!”
(Tommy Faith, Triple J [About ‘Ally’]
“Patrick McDermott and Rhys North, have spent the past number of years carving out a sound that feels both grounded and explorative; it’s rooted in an earnest kind of folky warmth, but stretches into spaces of pure melodic ecstasy. Seriously, these guys really know how to write a chorus.”
(Happy Magazine)
“A slice of gorgeous, blissful pop”
(Mark Rogers, RNZ) [About “Georgia]
“I’m sure we will be hearing a lot more of them in the future”
(Gary Crowley, BBC Radio)