After a stressful couple of days, “Lonesome,” the latest single from Naarm/Melbourne-based folk quintet Norwood, is exactly the tonic I needed. This gorgeous song invites you to sink into it and stay awhile. I’m so captivated by the vocals and lyrics of Olivia Bolmat, and the way the acoustic guitars, banjos, and harmonicas support them without ever stealing the spotlight.
“’Lonesome’ is about a quirky weatherboard house that Nathaniel [Peacock, co-vocalist and lyricist] and I used to live in, which had an intermittent fruit fly infestation, rotating housemates, and a growing mould problem,” Olivia recalled. “Like most old houses, it was cold in the winter and hot in the summer, and saw us through Melbourne’s seasonal shifts for three years. I think it’s ultimately about feeling lonely despite living in such close proximity to people who love you and grappling with a sense of disconnection that still lingers despite you sharing a hallway with your best friends.”
Norwood will support Bella Cloud at Merri Creek Tavern and Skyscraper Stan and the Commission Flats at Bergy Ballroom before joining Mick Thomas and his Roving Commission on their GoChristmasComeBack tour from November to January. Here are all the dates you need, music lovers!
8 October 2026 – Merri Creek Tavern, Westgarth
11 October 2026 – Bergy Bandroom, Naarm/Melbourne
6 November 2026 – Theatre Royal, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Castlemaine
7 November 2026 – Young Street Tavern, Monmar/Frankston
13 November 2026 – Birregurra Hall, Gulidjan Country/Birregurra
14 November 2026 – Arco Bar, Bunurong Country/Heatherton
21 November 2026 – Whalers Bandroom, Gunditjmara and Kirrae Whurrong Country/Warrnambool
26 November 2026 – Smiths Alternative, Ngunnawal Country/Civic
27 November 2026 – The Servo, Wadi Wadi Country/Port Kembla
28 November 2026 – Marrickville Bowling Club, Bulanaming/Marrickville
29 November 2026 – Hamilton Station, Mulubinba/Newcastle
5 December 2026 – Wallaby Hotel, Yugumbeh Country/Mudgeeraba
6 December 2026 – Lefty’s Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane
10 December 2026 – Wheatsheaf, Karraundongga/Thebarton
11 December 2026 – Mojo’s, Walyalup/Fremantle
12 December 2026 – The Oxford, Whadjuk Country/Leederville
13 December 2026 – The Oxford, Whadjuk Country/Leederville
17 December 2026 – Hepburn Palais, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Hepburn Springs
18 December 2026 – Eureka Hotel, Djilang/Geelong
19 December 2026 – The Corner Hotel, Quo-yung/Richmond
1 January 2027 – The Archie’s Creek Hotel, Bunurong Country/Archie’s Creek
Photo credit: Emma Bolmat