THEY started out playing Paul Kelly covers on camping trips, now, Blind Corners are gearing up to launch their first official tour, with a hometown gig on Tamborine Mountain leading the charge.
The four-piece band, made up of Tamborine Mountain State High School schoolmates Toby Angus, Jay Dallas, Joe Denley, and Swedish drummer Martin Niklasson, have steadily evolved from mates jamming in garages to one of the most talked-about new acts on the East Coast.
“We were just mates playing covers at school, but when Marty joined in 2021, things really clicked,” said frontman Toby Angus.
“Marty was the chef, and I was the dishy at the same restaurant we worked at and invited him to play on a kit we had lying around. That was the start of something real.”
The band’s upcoming Dancer Tour will mark their first run of interstate shows, kicking off June 21 at The Knoll Studio on the mountain, a town Angus says has become a surprising cultural hub.
“It’s changed a lot. It’s always been a beautiful spot, but now there’s a growing young community here bringing real energy,” he said.
“We’ve played shows up here before and they’ve always felt like something special.”
Blind Corners’ blend of nostalgic vocals, surf-rock riffs, and dreamy grooves has earned comparisons to a country pub version of Gang of Youths.
Their debut EP Mud was produced by George Carpenter and showcases the band’s range, from moody textures to upbeat festival-ready tracks.
“Mud came out of a tough time for us, after parting ways with our old bass player,” Angus said.
“We’d always been writing, but that change gave us momentum. Getting Joe in the band at the start of 2023 was a turning point.”
The group have played major festivals like Bluesfest and The Long Sunset, but say they still love the charm of a small pub gig.
“Big stages are incredible, but some of the best memories come from playing to 15 locals at a pub,” Angus said.
“You meet characters you’d never expect to love our music, and those nights stick with you.”
Their Tamborine Mountain show promises more than just music, with a food truck, a backyard campfire, and support from local artist Ariana.
“It’s all about creating a moment,” Angus said.
“We want people to feel connected, like they’re part of something, whether they’re in the crowd or just listening at home.”
Event details:
Saturday June 21
7pm
Blind Corners, The Dancer Tour
Knoll Studio, 6-8 Knoll Road, Tamborine Mountain
