MUSIC continually found a way in 2020 despite the harshest of obstacles posed by COVID-19, and that was especially true of Hurricane Fall.
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The Newcastle country-pop band were supposed to be flying.
The year began with excitement as the five-piece of Pepper Deroy (vocal, bass), Jesse Vee (vocals, guitar), Lachlan Coffey (drums), Tim Hickey (guitars, keys) and Luke Wheeldon (guitar) released their long-awaited debut album Ain't Leavin' in January.
But after four shows into their lengthy album tour of Victoria, NSW and Queensland, the coronavirus pandemic blew the momentum right out of Hurricane Fall's sails.
Rather than ruminate on their misfortune, and that of the entire music industry, the quintet decided to plot ahead with new recordings.
Country-pop songwriters Tom Jordan and Mitch Thompson, of Sydney duo Seaforth, in collaboration with producer Lachlan Mitchell and Nashville-based Phil Barton had written a song for Hurricane Fall, entitled Lost In Us.
But with their producers Michael Paynter and Michael Delorenzis of MSquared Studios stuck in Melbourne during Victoria's winter lockdown, Hurricane Fall had to discover more creative methods of recording.
"We had to do all of the recording through Zoom from our house to Melbourne," Vee said.
"Through Zoom chat he [the producer] takes over our computer and he adjusts all the levels and sound through his computer in Melbourne and actually records it in Melbourne through our computer's microphone.
"It was really bizarre and a really different experience to do it like that. But really interesting and a cool way to adapt."
The band describe Lost In Us as being "caught up in the moment - so in love."
Lost In Us was also one of several tracks recorded over Zoom.
"We've got a few and more coming soon," Vee said. "We're working on a new album and we're gonna try and get a new album out by mid-year to the end of the year."
Confidence is also at an all-time high for Hurricane Fall following their first nomination at the Golden Guitars two weeks ago for best group.
While they missed out to the established McClymonts, it signified how far Hurricane Fall have progressed since the former Tamworth lads tossed aside pub rock bands to focus on the country music of their youth in 2014.
"To be included in that group and to say we're doing the right things and getting into the right ears and the industry is supporting us was great," Vee said.
"It is really nice to have that appreciation of what we love doing."
Hurricane Fall's Lost In Us single tour hits Wallsend Diggers' Mezz Bar on April 10.