Tracy McNeil

Canadian singer songwriter Tracy McNeil moved to Melbourne in 2007 with only her suitcase and her acclaimed debut album Room Where She Lives, just three short days after its release in Canada. Recorded in Toronto with the love, support and musical input of her brother Logan, the album proved a classic debut, brimming with authentic country and roots songs born of a nation that has a long and distinguished history of producing such talented artists.
Moving to Melbourne was something of a risk, but it paid off almost immediately. Tracy worked hard, playing solo shows all across the formidable musical city that is Melbourne, gaining the respect of her peers and critics alike, along with an ever growing fan base. She quickly became an integral part of the Melbourne music scene.
Something of a masterstroke started out in the most humble of ways when Tracy joined local singer songwriter Jordie Lane to form Fireside Bellows. The release of No Time To Die, a stunning album on all fronts, came in 2008. Showcasing their obvious musical chemistry and developing on a variety of influences, No Time To Die honours a mutual love for American roots music whilst staying true to the talents both artists have as individual musicians. The album, and the duo, rightly received rave reviews throughout Australia. After a sold out launch in Melbourne, Fireside Bellows hit the road, playing festivals including the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Boogie, the Brunswick Music Festival and Queenscliff, before supporting the Eilen Jewell Band and their heroes Old Crow Medicine Show at the Forum.
After that long and successful run with Fireside Bellows, Tracy returned to her solo material with a pocket full of songs and a stellar band featuring Matt Green (electric/slide guitar, mandolin), Bree Hartley (drums) and Rod Boothroyd (double bass). The band has been honing their sound over the past eighteen months with a run of headline shows throughout Melbourne and supporting international artists Mary Gauthier, Tony Joe White and Australian sweethearts The Audreys. With three years past since the release of Room Where She Lives, Tracy felt a follow up record was long overdue. In January 2010, the band headed into Tender Trap Studios in Northcote to record what would become her sophomore album Fire from Burning.
Tracy will launch Fire From Burning at the Bella Union in Trades Hall on June 11th, 2011.