In recent years, the McClymont sisters have navigated changes and upheavals of all kinds, changes of address, changes in relationship status and entry into the thrilling world of parenthood.
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Those changes have brought Mollie, Brooke and Sam closer than ever, and have been the catalyst for The McClymonts new direction in their music.
“Country music is all about storytelling and talking about what you’re going through,” Sam said.
“Our lives have changed so much and at the same time we are still young women in the industry, so there are lot more stories lately, and they come very easily.”
The McClymonts have never shied away from opening up to their audiences, and it’ll be no different when they visit the Shoalhaven for the inaugural Big Country festival on May 11 next year.
“We really think hard about how we can do things differently each tour,” Sam said.
“There are a lot of people who’ve been coming to see us since day one so we try to tell new stories about ourselves that people might not have heard before, or change small things mike instruments and arrangements.”
The trio’s latest album, Endless, is the first in which all three women have been married, and has a different sound to a lot of their earlier work.
“We’ve still got that classic McClymont sound but we worked with Andy Mak [Central Coast producer and songwriter] who doesn’t usually do country music,” Sam said.
“So the songs were brought to life in a different way which shows a real progression in our music.”
Sam said she and her sisters had all become closer since having children, which has had a positive impact on the way they interact and work with one another.
“When Brooke had her bub six years ago all those little things became so insignificant and you look at the bigger picture,” she said.
“Being working mums we all lean on each other and we are so accommodating, because at times you need to say no.
“That was hard to do before having kids but now we know that family and those kind of commitments come first.”
The McClymonts have long been one of Australia’s best-loved country groups, with a stunning 20 hit singles, two Gold-Certified albums, 10 Golden Guitars – including 5 for Group or Duo of the Year – and two ARIAs for Best Country Album.
With their first record debuting more than 12 years ago, Sam said she and her sisters had grown with their music.
“When you’re 20 years old you’re a lot more reserved and you keep your cards close to your chest,” she said.
“People wouldn’t think it but sometimes you can be a bit reserved around your sisters but it’s amazing to see how you grow and how those insecurities melt away.
“We’ve found the more years that pass, the more we open up and the more people relate to the music.”
Sam promised crowd favourites like Kick It Up would be on the set list for the upcoming Berry show.
“We are really excited about performing in beautiful Berry,” she said.
Tickets for Big Country will be on sale from Moshtix at midday on Thursday, 15 November.
For more information visit http://www.big-country.com.au/.
Madeline Crittenden
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
