After a breathtaking set at Dashville Skyline earlier this month, acclaimed Americana-folk duo Minor Gold are returning to Newcastle to officially launch their new album Way to the Sun at The Stag & Hunter on Friday, October 31.
Since the release of their chart-topping debut in 2023, Tracy McNeil and Dan Parsons have been carving out an international following with their lush harmonies, honest storytelling, and a timeless sound that draws from the heart of classic folk and modern Americana.
We caught up with the duo to chat about life on the road, the making of Way to the Sun, and what fans can expect from their Stag & Hunter show.
Congratulations on the release of Way to the Sun! How does it feel to finally have this record out in the world after so much touring overseas?
We recorded the album during a one-week break from touring in California – the fastest we’ve ever made a record, at least in studio time. But some of these songs had a much longer journey, starting on Australian highways during our debut album tour in 2023 and finishing somewhere in the middle of America last summer. To finally have it out in the world feels incredible. It’s been embraced by radio in Australia and spent 10 weeks in the Top 50 on the Americana Radio Chart in the U.S which blew our minds – we’re honestly floored by the response from listeners around the globe and feel so grateful that these songs have connected – made people laugh, cry, and feel something real. That’s always the goal.
You spent a big stretch of time on the road across North America, the UK, and Europe before recording this album. How did all that travelling shape the songs on Way to the Sun?
Way to the Sun is collection of songs that echo the highways we’ve travelled for the past two years – the people, the places, and the stories we’ve gathered are all living in these tracks. We feel like butcher birds, collecting ideas and emotional scraps to build something beautiful that reflects what we’ve been through, living as artists on the road. As grass-roots artists, touring on an international scale requires the sacrifice of creature comforts and financial security. It is no wonder that the over-arching theme of seeking light out of darkness, runs like a river throughout the 10 tracks.
The record was produced by Dan Horne in Los Angeles, who has worked with some incredible artists. What drew you to working with him, and what did he bring to the sessions?
We were drawn to Dan’s work initially through his work on the first couple of Mapache records, and later his work with Pacific Range and Cass McCombs. They sound so good! He recorded and produced them, as well as playing bass and steel on some songs. Throughout all of these roles, his touch and style were super sympathetic of acoustic guitars and harmonies being out front in the mix, whilst still allowing supporting instruments to have their own pocket and sound. He’s been recording people for many years now, and Dan has his sound dialled right in. Simply put, he knows exactly what to do with our music.
There’s a real warmth and light that runs through this album, even in the quieter moments. What themes or ideas were you most drawn to exploring this time around?
We seemed to keep coming back to theme of emergence. Coming out of certain place and into something else – dark to light, small town to the highway, inhibition to freedom etc. They’re all different words for the same thing, essentially. As is often the case, the writing reflected our lives in different iterations. We tend to let the themes come naturally, and go where it feels real.
The unique thing about this record is that it is by far the grooviest music either of us has ever made but sonically, its light-heartedness is underpinned by lyrical themes that are kind of serious and introspective. We didn’t plan it that way necessarily, but we think it ultimately gave the album a refreshing perspective.
You played a beautiful set at Dashville Skyline earlier this month. What’s special to you about performing around the Hunter and what can we expect to see at the Stag & Hunter show?
We’ve always had a special love for the Hunter Valley – it goes right back to our days as solo artists. There’s something about the people here: relaxed, real, full of grit and heart. We have so many memories from those early years – playing the Stag & Hunter with Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife, staying upstairs above the pub, cranking out three huge sets, and sipping Sailor Jerry’s with ginger and lime between songs. Buckets of beer onstage at The Junkyard, and the thrill of playing one of the first Dashville Skyline festivals – it all comes flooding back.
These days, every note and moment we share on stage is savoured… the drinks just flow a little slower. We’re bringing the full Minor Gold experience to The Stag: lush harmonies, heartfelt storytelling, and the kind of cosmic Americana-folk that hits you right in the chest. Joining us is Vanessa Jade, fresh from Nashville, with her soulful blend of roots and classic songwriting – the perfect complement to our sound. Expect rich harmonies, shimmering guitars, and a night that feels both intimate and electric. It’s going to be one of those nights where the songs, stories, and good Hunter energy all come together.
Between the two of you, you’ve both had long and diverse musical careers. What have you learned about collaboration from working together as Minor Gold?
Artistically, we’ve always had this natural musical connection – our tastes just seem to line up, and singing together has always felt effortless. Writing as a duo has deepened that bond; we pull from our own ideas and somehow end up creating something bigger than either of us could on our own. When it comes to lyrics, we’ll toss lines back and forth until we both feel the heart of the song. It can take a while – longer than writing solo sometimes – but that process is where the magic really happens. From a practical standpoint, this duo is always on the move – so grabbing a place to slow down and write becomes the challenge. We love a good park-bench, long wait at the airport or a few days off in a cheap motel.
And finally, after this Australian tour wraps up, what’s next for Minor Gold?
After a whirlwind year, we’ll spend December and January back in Brisbane – slowing down, staying still, and soaking it all in before the Way to the Sun EU/UK and North American tour begins in early 2026. There’s already talk of another recording stint in California on that run, but we’ll see what this Australian tour brings first – what songs, sounds, and stories it stirs up. The wheels keep turning… and we’re grateful to be living this kind of dream.
Way to the Sun is out now across all streaming platforms, and it’s already earning high praise both at home and abroad. Don’t miss Minor Gold’s album launch at The Stag & Hunter, Mayfield, on Friday, October 31, before they continue their national run of dates through November. Full tour details and ticket links can be found via minorgoldmusic.com.
