Sibling Duo Turns Tour Joy into Fresh Record 'Karaoke Bar'
Angus and Julia Stone drew inspiration from their intimate Living Room Sessions tour to create their new album, Karaoke Bar. The sibling act wrote and recorded tracks between tour legs across Greece, France, and Australia, capturing a sense of happiness and peace. The album is now available via Virgin Music, with focus track "The Start" and a title track that references "Sweet Caroline."
The Living Room Sessions tour, launched to support their 2024 album *Cape Forestier*, took the siblings to prestigious venues including London's Royal Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House. Between tour legs, they recorded in distinct settings, such as a historic Greek studio on Hydra where their idol Leonard Cohen once composed.
Their French stay at Miraval Studios produced the track "Monroe," though time constraints limited their time there. Most of the ten songs were captured using portable gear carried on the road, with the closing track "Mexico City" inspired by their debut performance in that city.
This album's creation process highlights a sustainable, joy-driven approach to touring and recording, contrasting with the typical industry grind. It could inspire other artists to seek creative fuel from intimate live experiences rather than exhausting schedules. For listeners, the resulting sense of peace may offer a comforting, nostalgic listening experience, potentially strengthening the duo's connection with audiences seeking authentic, emotionally resonant music in a fragmented entertainment landscape.