Charleston based American rockers, NEEDTOBREATHE, are about to make it out for their first ever trip to Australia for the World Vision Australia’s Make A Difference Tour with Third Day and Levi McGrath. I spoke with bass player Seth Bolt about their tour preparation.
“We’re home right now in Charleston working hard on finishing up our live album and gearing up for our first Grammys attendance before we jet over to the other side of the world. A lot of exciting things!” Seth says.
NEEDTOBREATHE aren’t your typical Southern band, they incorporate a number of styles into their sound and work very hard to deliver the best possible live performance.
“We always say we’re a rock and roll band with some Southern soul and grit thrown in there – everyone is welcome! We really put a lot of work into delivering a live show that is loud and memorable. We hope people come out and take something home with them,” he says
Having just released their fifth studio album, Rivers in Wasteland, earlier last year, the band could not have been happier with its popularity and success and plan to release a live album later this year.
“It’s incredible and humbling. We always felt like we had to deliver something new and exciting to keep the attention of our fans and, in some ways, we did something different here. But this album was very autobiographical so it’s great to see that fans can connect to that as well,” Seth says.
The Make a Difference Tour concert series is in support of World Vision Australia, who are a hard working children’s charity that opperate all over the world, and a charity that the band are passionate about and happy to throw their support behind.
“We definitely are a band that stands behind the idea of giving back and any charities that are doing positive things to make an impact or change things for the better deserve recognition. Although our band personally works closely with another charity, we think that World Vision is doing some amazing things and hope that we can contribute to their victories in any way possible.”
As it will be the boys first trip out to Australia they are very much looking forward to absorbing the sights of the country in addition to these eight big shows. “We can’t wait for the sightseeing. We’re big on travelling and grateful that we have the chance to finally make it to Australia,” he smiles.
Also on the bill is the Atlanta-based, multiple Grammy winning, Third Day and social justice musician, Levi McGrath, both acts the band is exciting to be playing with. “We are huge fans. We have performed with them in different capacities before but, of course, never a tour in Australia. We are so honoured to be invited and we think it’s going to be something special,” he says.
The tour will kick off at the Hordern Pavilion on February 11, playing Festival Hall in Melbourne on February 13 and finishing at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on February 21. For further tour and ticket information visit the World Vision website at www.makeadifferencetour.com.au
When&Where: Festival Hall, Melbourne – February 13
By Abbey King, Photo by Sully Sullivan