Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sydney country music duo NeillyRich will have everyone up on the dance floor during their first gig at the Star Hotel in Milton on Friday September 4.
Both Academy of Country Music graduates, Amelia Richards and Matthew McNeilly bring a youthful and energetic style through their brand of music, all the time paying homage to the greats of country who came before them.
They draw on performance inspiration from acts such as Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum and Brad Paisley, but channel the spirit of Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn.
Matthew hails from Blenheim in New Zealand and plays drums, bass, acoustic and electric guitar.
Amelia who was born in the birthplace of the Great Slim Dusty, Kempsey, plays guitar and mandolin.
Amelia has completed her Bachelor of Music Degree and has started her Masters.
After forming in 2012, NeillyRich has achieved some significant milestones including supporting McAlisterKemp, recording their debut EP and appearing on major festivals in New Zealand and Australia.
The momentum continued in 2014 with the act voted the Most Popular Independent Country Music Duo at The Independent Country Music Awards in Tamworth and on August 8, picked up the Golden Fern Award for best country group or duo at the NZ National Country Music Awards.
Matthew said the chemistry between the two was “just awesome”.
“When we met we were both content being solo acts, but after we played together for the first time we simply couldn’t turn back,” he said.
“Our Passion for Country Music is very pure,” Amelia added
“We have both been influenced by legends of the genre like Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn, but we try to bring our own modern flavor to the delivery.”
While singles from their EP continue to see chart success, the pair have commenced pre-production for their first ever album expected to be available in 2016.