FROM playing pubs across Tasmania to becoming one of Australia’s most awarded country music acts, The Wolfe Brothers have built their career on authenticity, hard work and an unwavering belief in telling Australian stories.
Ahead of their upcoming Ipswich show, Tom Wolfe sat down with Local Ipswich News to reflect on the band’s journey, the success of their award-winning album Australian Made, and why regional Australia remains at the heart of everything they do.
“It’s been a hell of a journey,” Wolfe said.
“It’s been a marathon, not a race. We do it because we love making and playing music.”
The Tasmanian brothers have spent years grinding through pubs, festivals and regional venues before becoming one of the country’s biggest modern country acts, collecting five Golden Guitars this year alone for Australian Made.
Music has always been woven into the Wolfe family story, as third-generation musicians Tom and brother Nick were raised around live music, touring and country halls.
“It was pretty much everything,” Wolfe said.
“Our Dad would always say, ‘Don’t worry about the farm, just do your music’. Mum and Dad really brought us up to have a crack and chase the dream.”
The Wolfe Brothers’ latest album Australian Made has become both a commercial and critical success, but Wolfe revealed industry insiders initially warned them against even using the title.
“Some industry experts told us calling the album Australian Made was career suicide,” he said.
“They said it would get politicised and divide people.”
Instead, the album has struck a major chord with audiences by leaning heavily into Australian storytelling, identity and regional life.
“We didn’t want Australian country music to lose its identity,” Wolfe said.
That regional connection also shapes how The Wolfe Brothers approach touring.
“A lot of artists call Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney a tour,” Wolfe said.
“To us, that’s not a tour. Touring means going regional. That’s where our people are.”
The Wolfe Brothers play Racehorse Hotel on June 27, with tickets available via Oztix.
