Kingswood are our own Midnight Mavericks
Melbourne Alt-Rock band Kingswood officially release their tenth studio album tomorrow, with ‘Midnight Mavericks’ containing 10 original tracks including the previously released singles ‘Faith’, ‘Highway Signs’ and ‘Two Lovers’. We caught up with up with Kingswood’s lead vocalist Fergus Linacre to find out more about the body of work, what touring with the Counting Crows was like and the special message the band has for their fans.
Your current single ‘Faith’ was delivered in March and served as another teaser of your forthcoming album ‘Midnight Mavericks’, what else can the listener expect from this LP?
If ‘Faith’ tickles your fancy, you can expect more songs akin to siblings, in fact the whole album is a big family of country crooning storytelling, with a few tracks showing a little more danger and loudness for those who like to raise a clenched fist into the air rather than have it placed in the small of your dancing partners back.
‘Midnight Mavericks’ is your tenth full length album, do you still learn or face struggles during the creative process?
Absolutely. Each recording experience has been different. Sometime albums we’ve made overseas mainly in Nashville, others in lockdown on a horse ranch in Queensland. This one was made over a long period of time in our Melbourne studio. There are always challenges, I prefer to get away and engage full focus on the album, however I’ve never been more pleased with how an album turned out. Without time pressure we were able to keep working on tracks and moments over and over until we got it right. So I think the album is our best work.
Do you have a song from the album that stands out for you, either due to its subject matter or how/when it was recorded?
The answer to this question changes every day. I will draw your attention to a song called ‘Jenny’. As soon as it was written we put in into our live set, and it immediately became our closer. It’s continued to receive incredible reactions from the fans, so I’m very excited for it to be released with the album.
What song are you most looking forward to performing live?
The one that has surprised me live is ‘Joanie’. I love the song but when we played it live for the first time last week it took on a new energy and is now one I’m especially looking forward to playing each night.
When is the album out and will you be releasing any limited edition or vinyl copies?
The album is released May 22nd. Vinyl and CD are available for pre-order now and at our shows. And on Friday you’ll find it in your fav record store.
“We head to Nashville in June to launch the album there and show that lot what us Aussies are made of. ”
Are there plans to tour for the new album, locally and internationally?
We are launching the album on Friday 22nd at the Corner Hotel and continuing across the country through May, we are also playing a bunch of festivals throughout the year and planning a more region tour for later in the year. We head to Nashville in June to launch the album there and show that lot what us aussies are made of.
You recently went on tour around Australia with the legendary Counting Crows, what was that experience like? Any memorable moments you can share?
We had a ball playing with those guys, great band and great crew. I remember eight men standing around Adam’s upright piano for about fifteen minutes as they each tried to find the most acoustic pleasant place to whack the shell of the thing. Adam had complained that in the previous nights show when he hit the piano it sounded like a ping pong ball and he wanted a THUD. Good to see how much they still care about the little things after all these years.
“A big one that comes to mind is opening for Aerosmith...”
You have hit multi-Platinum status and been nominated for a bunch of awards. What’s been the highlight in your career so far personally? And why?
Geez there have been so many pinch yourself moments, and one thing I’ve learned is to appreciate them and be grateful, not let those moments go unnoticed or uncelebrated. A big one that comes to mind is opening for Aerosmith, a band I grew up with thanks to my big brother being obsessed with them. He passed away in 2007, so when I got the call that we were on the show I burst into to tears, it was a pretty special night, I had the whole family there.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
I’d like to give a shout out to our drummer Ben Cremer. His passion for music is infectious and he does so much work behind the scenes to help craft each show into a better experience than the last.
Do you have a message for the Kingswood fans and supporters?
I hope you all know how much we appreciate your ongoing support over the years. We may be a bunch of genre bending rat-bags but you’re always along for the journey and we would be here without you. And if you’re a new fan… welcome to the family.
For more information head to https://www.kingswoodband.com/
Interview by Michelle Symes
May 2026
