Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird Share Their Tour Playlist

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Today (July 10th) sees the official release of Rosewater Crocodile, the fourth studio album from Melbourne indie-rock band Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird. Released via longtime label Double Drummer, it serves as the follow-up to 2022’s Smiles Of Earth and features the singles ‘Rosewater’, ‘Mercury Rising’ and ‘My Ghost & Its Crawling’. Of course, with the release of an album comes an inevitable tour – but when you’re a band of five, who gets control of the aux? Spoiler alert: Everyone.

Ahead of the Rosewater Crocodile national tour kicking off next month (dates below), the band have shared the official CoTo On The Road playlist exclusively for Music Feeds. Check out the playlist on Spotify below, along with insights from each band member as to why they picked some highlights.

Cousin Tony’s CoTo On The Road Playlist

Neu! – ‘Hallogallo’

Lachlan Rose, lead vocals: The ‘Motorik’ sub-genre within Krautrock is made for the road. It’s a driving tempo. It was a world of music that’s inspired CoTo’s music endlessly (‘Stratoblaster’, ‘Red Dirt Angel’, ‘Melbourne Bitter’). The unrelenting beat is a staple for our drummer Rick, and this song was really the gateway to it. Watching clouds roll by to this for 11 minutes is an absolute joy, particularly on the Autobahn en route to Berlin.

Pinegrove – ‘Rings’

LR: There’s a togetherness to the way Pinegrove play as a unit that is subtle but deeply spiritual. The guitar riff on ‘Rings’ has been creeping into our rehearsals over the past year, and you can feel it slowly sinking its talons into the band one by one. They’re one of the best reminders of what a band can be: greater than the sum of its parts.

Kate Bush – ‘Watching You Without Me’

Rick Reid, drums: I woke up one morning in Wollongong to go for a swim. We were playing a show that night, and Lach had this on in the kitchen while we got ready. I was really late to the Kate Bush party, and this song had me hooked instantly. It’s so otherworldly and ahead of its time.

The Durutti Column – ‘Otis’

RR: After our first UK tour in 2019, we flew to Berlin to let off some steam. This track puts me right in the middle of Tempelhof.

Gregory Porter – ‘No Love Dying’

Francesca Gonzalez, keyboards: This is a band favourite. We sing it together most tours, but one night in London we were driving back from the show belting it out at the top of our lungs. I’ll never forget that moment.

Hiss Golden Messenger – ‘Lost Out In The Darkness’

FG: This song just feels like the first few years of CTBNF. Every time I hear it, I’m transported back to those early tours: Driving up the Hume, and squished in a car with four boys – which, honestly, is my idea of Heaven.

The Streets – ‘Has It Come To This?’

Peter Simonsen, guitar: We just all really liked The Streets at the same time for a minute. It was great.

Robert Wyatt – ‘Pigs…(In There)’

PS: About half way from London to Glasgow. 200,000 kilometres of dry stone walls.

Anohni & The Johnsons feat. Lou Reed – ‘Fistful Of Love’

PS: Sitting in the back/middle seat watching Rick and Lachy belt it. out. “Straight. Through. My. Heart. It’s out of love!”

Arthur Russell – ‘That’s Us/ Wild Combination’

Matthew Hayes, bass: This tune reminds me of driving along the New South Wales coast – the Wollongong, Sydney and Byron areas. It’s introspective enough for those of us just wanting to stare out the window and have a quiet thought, but also funky enough for those in more lively spirits up the front.

Jonny L – ‘I Let U’

MH: This one always comes on as a surprise, and it’s usually picked by Lachy. I never remember the name of the song, and I always ask what it is. It usually graces the playlist after 7 hours of driving NSW-bound, following a period of ambient or introspective folk, marking an optimistic energy change into the final exciting transition from open road to metropolis. I don’t think I’m supposed to ever remember the song name, so it remains a pleasant surprise each time it comes on.

Rosewater Crocodile is out now via Double Drummer. It can be streamed, downloaded and purchased by clicking here. Go see the band on tour in the coming weeks at the dates below.