Imagine one of Australian country music’s most unique voices, joined by her lifelong music-obsessed husband, wrapped up by a show stopping lead guitarist. Kirsty Lee Akers, Dan Ebbels and Jesse Anderson are Rhinestoned.
After building a strong presence and following online with their 90’s country sound and sex appeal, Rhinestoned are now releasing their first single, Livin’ The Low Life. Hitting the airwaves and all digital music platforms on July 21st, the track is described by Akers as a musician’s anthem, and a song most of us can relate to right now with the rising cost of living.
Written with Phil Barton and Bruce Wallace during the pandemic and covid lockdowns when musicians had lost all of their income, the song tells the story of just scraping by each week but being optimistic, knowing the only way is up when you’re Livin’ The Low Life.
“We wrote this song at a time when it was hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel. A lot of artists and musicians are used to surviving on bare minimum, not knowing when our next pay day is going to come in, so for me it wasn’t as hard to try and stay optimistic knowing that when you’re at the bottom, the only way is up”. Kirsty
“We all grew up listening to 90’s country, and you can hear that influence on this track. The production is organic and real and has room to breathe. I can’t wait to play this one live”. Dan
“When I first heard this song the day Kirsty, Phil and Bruce wrote it, it was immediately my favorite song of hers. It was totally different to anything she had ever written before, and really showcased her talents as a songwriter and producer. When we took it into the studio to record, it was such a badass band driven track, and we made the decision without hesitation that this would be our debut single”. Jesse
Livin’ The Low Life was produced by Kirsty and Dan and their long-time band member, Paul Bain. This track is hard core country music and could easily be at home on a Brothers Osbourne album or be the soundtrack for a bank robbery and car chase movie scene. There’s no doubt that the track going to blow the cobwebs out of any speaker when it is played live on stage.
There is a reason everyone is talking about the ‘new kids’ on the block. You can see for yourself during their first festival performance on September 30th at the Cowgirls Gathering in Kilkivan, QLD.
About Rhinestoned
Imagine one of Australian Country Music’s most unique and recognisable voices, joined by her lifelong music-obsessed husband, wrapped up by a show stopping lead guitarist. Kirsty Lee Akers, Dan Ebbels and Jesse Anderson are Rhinestoned.
Having performed on stages together for over a decade, Akers and Ebbels often toyed with the idea if creating their own band. Kirsty’s husband Jesse, a regular on tour together, frequently found himself jamming backstage with the band, quietly honing his skills as a musician. With all three growing up in musical families, they decided to write, record, and perform music, influenced by their collective upbringing. A band all about the music that made them.
The trio is influenced by some of the greatest acts in music history. Their sound takes the lead from artists such as Dwight Yoakam and Brooks & Dunn, with lashings of modern influence that bands like Midland and The Brothers Osbourne have made a trademark of their generation.
Having spent the best part of the last decade living in both Nashville and Australia, multi-award winner Akers, and partner-in-crime Anderson, bring an authentic love of all things honkytonk. Layered atop Kirsty’s powerhouse vocal, Ebbels’ dedication to his craft on guitar provides the correct vehicle to explore even the most challenging, chicken-pickin riffs.
About the Band Members
Kirsty Lee Akers
Kirsty Lee Akers is one of Australia’s most unique and authentic recording artists. A rare talent who is proud of her indigenous heritage as a woman of the Wonnarua nation, Akers describes herself as a fusion of modern country and Americana with pop stylings. Akers is the only artist in history to have won three of the major prizes in Australian country music; Toyota Star Maker, Telstra Road to Discovery and a Golden Guitar Award (two in total). Kirsty’s family live and breathe country music, with her mum, nan and aunties all performing country music, way back before she was even born.
Dan Ebbels
Born and raised in Melbourne, Dan Ebbels has been wowing audiences across Australia and the USA with his guitar skills since the age of 13. Ebbels grew up playing in his father’s band ‘The John Lawrence Band’. Sighting influences such as John Mayer, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban, Dan has won two Tompkins Guitars and a Blade Guitar at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Having played with some of the hottest names in Australian music, he has performed at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Groundwater, Gympie Muster, and the Deni Ute Muster.
Jesse Anderson
Jesse also comes from a musical family, having grown up watching his dad perform in the successful band ‘Kikkatinnalong‘, who recorded and toured all over Australia. Up until now, he has always been in the background jamming backstage and at home with Kirsty, but after many late nights and red wines, Kirsty and Dan convinced him to join the band and share the special musical bond they all have.
