Ballarat band establishing a strong foothold in Victoria

Celtic roots: Dunnstown band Old Melbourne Road are taking off locally, across the state and around the world with their unique approach to Irish folk rock. Photo: SUPPLIED
Murphy brothers, John and David, boys Patrick, Lachlan and Sean along with three other members Paul Brit, Brendan Spratling and Stephen Russell have built the band from a fledging group over five years ago to today’s highly successful local band.
Together they have have steadily won over a loyal rural Victorian following culminating in a highly successful tour of Ireland last year and more recently hitting the Melbourne scene with a gig in a popular inner Melbourne venue.
Bridie O’Reillys in Chapel Street, South Yarra were looking for a spark to ignite their Irish bar on a Friday night and OMR were looking for a good Melbourne base where they could build a following for their style of Irish folk rock music.
Cracking the Melbourne scene was always going to be a challenge but in late October they had their first gig with approximately 200 punters risking a new genre but ultimately embracing the unfamiliar but addictive sound.
A second opportunity presented in December and regular future gigs are now a possibility.
Also in December the band helped welcome in the new ownership of the Ballarat Munster Arms Hotel as well as celebrating the year’s end at the Brown Hill Hotel and a New Year’s Eve gig at Kryal Castle as part of a family fun event where OMR helped lead the festivities.
There’s more to come though. Old Melbourne Road will play the Dunnstown Irish Festival set for 16 and 17 March.