About Ben Mastwyk
Melbourne cosmic-country-rocker BEN MASTWYK writes his songs on the move. Planes, trains, rivers and highways set the mood. “There’s something about the rhythm of the world rolling by that stimulates the process” he explains. Gold-suited and rhinestoned, Mastwyk leads his seven-piece band THE MILLIONS into bold sonic territories where songs erupt into swaggering, psychedelic bar-room gems.
As a teenage noise-rocker, Mastwyk’s love of twang was instilled when he rode shotgun on the production of a family country record, exposing him to artists such as Cash, Kristofferson & Parsons and firmly establishing his love of classic country music. At art school he picked up a banjo and joined Jemma Rowlands and her Clifton Hillbillies leading to performances in Nashville TN and Austin TX; then a borrowed guitar spawned a flood of songwriting culminating in his 2015 debut album Mornin Evenin. Further journeys across America’s south inspired his second, more sonically diverse album, Winning Streak.
With a growing reputation as a dynamic entertainer and applauded songwriter, Mastwyk has become an artist to watch in the Australian country music scene. Twice nominated for Best Country Album (Music Victoria Awards), Mastwyk has toured his songs around Australia, NZ and the USA receiving high rotation across national radio. His third album, 2021’s LIVIN ON GOLD STREET, debuted at #1 on the Australian Independent charts and #2 on the ARIA Australian Country charts.
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Press quotes
“Wonderfully crafted songs with superb lyrical observation, killer choruses and enough attitude to make you sit up and pay attention.”
Tamworth Country Capital News
“Mastwyk plunges headlong into Seventies country-soul glam with lashings of cosmic American pedal steel and psych-guitar glitz.”
COUNTRY UPDATE MAGAZINE
“The songs are rich with meaning and truth…real and raw, just as true country music should be.”
RHYTHMS MAGAZINE
“A direct line to heartache, Mastwyk has captured the soul of country music.”
Post to wire
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Album Releases
Livin On Gold Street (LP) 2021
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#1 on the Australian Independent charts
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#2 on ARIA Australian Country charts
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#1 on iTunes Australian counry charts (Livin on Gold Street single)
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Feature album and high rotation - ABC Country
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Feature album - Good Morning Country
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Rotation on CMC (Livin on Gold Street, Chicken & the Egg filmclips)
Winning Streak (LP) 2018
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Nominated Best Country Album - Music Victoria Awards
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Launched at The Melba Spiegeltent
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East coast Australian tour
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High Rotation - ABC Radio
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Rotation on CMC (This Country filmclip)
Mornin Evenin (LP) 2015
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Nominated Best Country Album - Music Victoria Awards
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Strong support from community radio
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Festivals
Moomba March 2023
Festival of Sails Jan 2023
Dashville Skyline Feb 2022
Queenscliff Music Festival Nov 2022
Brunswick Music Festival March 2022 - Stay Gold
Meatstock March 2022 - Melbourne Showgrounds
Leaps & Bounds Festival Sep 2021
Out On The Weekend Dec 2021 - Seaworks
Gippsland Country Music Festival 2021, 2022, 2023 - emcee
Goulburn Valley Country Music Festival 2023
Tamworth Country Music Festival “Americana In The Park” 2019 - headliner
Tamworth Country Music Festival Tamworth Hotel - 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 - headliner
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Tours
July 2021: Regional Victorian tour w/ Matt Joe Gow
Mar 2021: NSW Livin On Gold Street album tour w/ Dan Brodie
Jan 2021: Regional Victorian tour w/ Gareth Leach
Jan 2020: Tamworth feature artist - American in the Park
Oct 2019: East Coast tour w/ Rose Zita Falko
Nov 2018: Region Victorian tour w/ Rose Zita Falko & Mitch Power
Jul 2018: NSW album tour w/ Cat Canteri
Jan 2017: New Zealand tour w/ Lisa Crawley
Sep 2016: USA Nashville, Americana Music festival (Bluebird Cafe)
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Supports
Brian Card
Sam Outlaw
Justin Townes Earle
Robbie Fulks
Luke Elliot
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Links
https://www.mastwyk.bandcamp.com
https://www.soundcloud.com/mastwyk
https://www.facebook.com/mastwykben
https://www.instagram.com/benmastwyk
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4J6Xy1loJviGDmhoWfqkH2
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZmMf2ayC20ojVRVYfReV1A
