Feature: THE POST Decodes “Yellowstone”
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind "Yellowstone" and the story it tells?
“Yellowstone” is actually my favourite song I've ever written, and I've written hundreds of songs in my career. It came from this deep place of personal transformation. While the TV series Yellowstone's vast landscapes initially sparked something in me, the song really became about finding your own internal frontier – that place where you can truly be free. You know how sometimes you need to burn everything down to rise again? That's what this song captures. It's about having the courage to let go of what's holding you back and finding that wide-open space within yourself.
Were there any challenges or breakthrough moments during the songwriting process for this song?
The most powerful breakthrough came when I realised this wasn't just about physical space or freedom – it was about the internal journey. When I wrote the line "Put your fears aside they are old and don't belong," it really crystallised what I was trying to say. Working with Alasdair on this was incredible too. When he added those haunting cello parts, it brought a whole new dimension to the song. His playing really captured that sense of vast, open space I was trying to convey.
What impact do you hope "Yellowstone" will have on your audience?
I hope it becomes a companion for people who are ready to make big changes in their lives. You know that moment when you realise you need to let go of something that's been weighing you down? Whether it's fear, anger, or old patterns that don't serve you anymore – I want this song to be there for people in those moments. When listeners hear lines like "Burn them in the fire at your Yellowstone tonight," I hope they feel empowered to face their own transformations. It's deeply personal but also universal – we all need to find our own Yellowstone, our own place of freedom.
Can you tell us more about you as a duo?
Ally and I met in southeast Queensland, and it was one of those perfect timing moments in life. I'd spent 14 years in Europe, fronting Dissidenten and really developing my craft as a songwriter, even winning the EMI Berlin Songwriting Competition. Ally brings this incredible avant-garde approach to the cello that just perfectly complements my style. We're not interested in making polished, commercial music – we want to create something raw and real. We've got this waterfall release strategy planned for 2025, leading up to our album, and we're already looking ahead to touring internationally in 2026.
Where do you find inspiration for your songs or musical ideas?
Our inspiration comes from the raw, gritty side of life – both the beautiful and the challenging moments. Living between Europe and Australia has given me such different perspectives on storytelling through music. Ally and I are both drawn to pushing boundaries, mixing that rocky, soulful energy with his experimental cello work. We find inspiration in urban landscapes, in human struggles and triumphs, and in those moments of raw emotion that can't be polished away. We're not afraid to embrace the imperfections – actually, that's often where the most powerful music comes from. Each song needs to tell a story, needs to mean something real, whether it's through the lyrics, the melodies, or the way we blend our instruments together.
