“This band is punching above their weight”
— Scenstr
HAYSTACK MOUNTAIN HERMITS
bio
Inspired by their motto, “We Play. We Sing. We Fight.”, Haystack Mountain Hermits are a powerhouse Australian family folk-and-bluegrass band. Recent finalists at the 2025 Gold Coast Music Awards, 2022-24 Australian Folk Music Awards and the 23/24 ICMA, the Hermits transport audiences to an acoustic world of rich harmonies and virtuoso musicianship, blending traditional favourites with compelling original songs. Every arrangement is carefully crafted to showcase their exceptional vocal and instrumental skill.
This dynamic family has graced stages at Australia’s premier festivals, including Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival, Groundwater, Gympie Music Muster, Illawarra Folk Festival (“Festival Find”), National Folk Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Maleny Folk Festival, and Woodford Folk Festival. They’ve performed at the iconic televised Currumbin Dawn Service and supported Paul Kelly at Rockin’ the Rainforest in Queensland.
Individually and collectively, the Hermits shine: Marcus was recently Finalist for Instrumentalist of the Year at the AFMAs, while the band’s latest commemorative video, “The Horses Stay Behind (One Last Ride)”, filmed with the Australian Light Horse Association for Anzac Day 2023, was a 2024 International Songwriting Competition and 2025 Unsigned Only (both Nashville based) semifinalist. Kerrie's songwriting has also been recognised closer to home by the Australian Songwriting Association, amongst other accolades.
Rooted in tradition but with a clear eye on the future, Haystack Mountain Hermits deliver performances that are unforgettable, entertaining, and technically brilliant. They can truly sing, they can truly play — and whether they fight onstage depends entirely on the day!
AWARDS
2017-2025
2025 Gold Coast Music Awards - Live Act of the Year and People's Choice Finalist; AFMA Instrumentalist of the Year Finalist; Unsigned Only - semifinalist; ASA Finalist; TSA Finalist
2024 AFMA People's Choice 3rd; International Songwriting Competition Semifinalist; ICMA Finalist - Best Independent Country Band, Best Independent Video
2023 Australian Folk Music Awards – Finalist Artist of the Year (Duo/Band) and People's Choice - 3rd place; ICMA Awards Best Australian Country Band finalist
2022 Australian Songwriters Association Awards - Exceptional Merit
2021 Finalist in Folk Alliance Australia’s inaugural Australian Folk Music Awards – Community/Cultural Project of the Year; Semi-finalist in Tamworth Songwriters Awards; Shortlisted in the Australian Songwriters Association Awards
2020 Australian Songwriting Association competition shortlist
2019 ARIA for Best Original Soundtrack or Musical Theatre Cast Album – Various Artists from ABC series The Recording Studio.
2018 Tamworth Country Music Festival Busking Champions; Australian National Busking Championships - Champions; Queensland Regional Busking Champions – Best Band, Overall and People’s Choice
2017 Australian National Busking Championships – Best Band; Queensland Regional Busking Champions – Best Band, Overall and People’s Choice
MUSIC
NEW MUSIC OUT SOON! See NEW MUSIC Section below
NEW MUSIC
in the studio now!
Haystack Mountain Hermits have a new EP Homemade Jam being recorded currently. It will be released at their shows in Tamworth, and then released as waterfall singles to streaming. The EP will be followed by their debut originals album, which they are currently writing and rehearsing, later in 2026. Several songs from this album have already been recognised in National songwriting competitions from live performance desk takes, so there is high anticipation for this album.