Michael Waugh gives a profound new voice to the Australian experience. His insightful storytelling cuts to the heart of everyday life. It is honest, emotionally brave and compelling in its beauty. He has been likened to the iconic Australian singer songwriters Mick Thomas, Paul Kelly and John Williamson.
Waugh’s two critically acclaimed albums to date, ‘What We Might Be’ and ‘The Asphalt & The Oval’ drew on his experiences growing up in an East Gippsland dairy farming community. They resonated with audiences and connected him to a community of peers.
He performed at major festivals from Port Fairy to The Gympie Muster, won awards and earned lofty praise from some heavyweight critics.
Praise for ‘What We Might Be’ released in 2016:
“With this one record Waugh has done enough to add himself to the list of archetypical Aussie singer-songwriters”
4 star review, Paul Smith – The Sydney Morning Herald
“His songs reverberate with reminiscences from rural Victoria sung in an accent as broad as the Murray-Darling Basin”
4 star review, Tony Hillier – The Weekend Australian
“Outstanding debut release”
Billy Pinnell – Stacks Magazine
“A flawless collection of beautiful songs”
Allan Caswell – Country Music Capitol News
Praise for ‘‘The Asphalt & The Oval’ released in 2018.
“Unguarded intimacy is part of his overwhelming charm… I can recommend the entire collection of 13 tracks, which together offer a masterclass in songwriting… When Michael Waugh opens his mouth, you should listen”
4.5 star review, Andrew McMillen – The Australian
“These 13 tracks are at once insightful and wondrous”
Jon Wolfe, Country Music Capital News
The Age Music Victoria Awards 2018 – Winner, Best Folk and Roots Album.
The Australian – 10 best songs of 2018 “They Don’t Let The Girls in the Game”
2017 CMAA Golden Guitar awards – Best New Talent nomination
Michael Waugh’s songs peer unflinchingly into the lives of those who have faced misogyny, homophobia, illness, violence and mental health in Australian rural communities – but the stories are lovingly depicted, evoking striking images of funny, real, beautiful, strong and flawed people. They are deftly balanced with humour, hope and lightness – textured with Australian vernacular and detailed with idiosyncrasies of specific places and people.
His insightful tributes to friends, family and parenthood are simultaneously deeply personal and nationally recognisable; audiences see their own brothers, parents, pubs, rivers, struggles and joys reflected in the faces of those characters who live large in Michael’s songs.
“This Song Reminds Me”, the first single from Michael Waugh’s forthcoming third album, produced by multi ARIA and Golden Guitar winning producer Shane Nicholson, is out now on Compass Bros Records / UMA.