McDermott & North are an indie folk duo based in Brisbane, Australia who have just caught my attention thanks to their recently released record The Hollywood EP.

By Graeme Smith

Paddy McDermott & Rhys North have been on the scene since 2016 and have been prolific with their recordings. Yet, it’s taken until now for me to discover them. The Hollywood EP is four tracks that celebrate love, connection and the everyday.

It opens with Pearly Whites, a bright and gentle welcome with a sense of classic rock about it. The characterful and charismatic are certainly the highlight, but so are the memorable storytelling lyrics. They paint a picture of a love that’s as youthful as it is nostalgic.

Let Your Love Shine Down brims with a ’60s rock energy that pairs nicely with its optimistic lyrics. Mary Street is intimately acoustic and its descriptive lyrics will grip you. I Love Your Way closes the EP with a dreamy, romantic number that oozes with charm and timelessness.

McDermott & North have a natural talent and chemistry that needs to be shared with the world, and the production on The Hollywood EP is second to none. It could well be the record that launches the duo to international attention. You can certainly count me as a fan.

The Hollywood EP was produced by Ben Lee, and released via Weirder Together Records, run by Ben with his partner Ione Skye. The EP features Joey Waronker on drums, Roger Manning Jr on keys, and Mike Viola on bass. You can give The Hollywood EP a listen below.