Pete Murray rides a coastal tour

AUSTRALIAN musician Pete Murray is hitting the road again, announcing a 15-date tour in support of his eighth studio record.

The run will take him through coastal towns across December and January, including a stop in Barwon Heads on January 16.

“I played a summer tour last year and it was one of the most fun tours I have done,” he said. “Everyone is on holidays and in such a great mood that it makes it so much fun to play them.

“I can’t wait to do another summer run, but this time I’ll have a bunch of fresh new songs from my new album Longing to throw into the mix.”

Released in October, Longing marks Murray’s first independent album in almost 20 years, and only his second independent release. The record has been a decade in the making, drawing together his strongest songs that previously never reached completion.

“I feel it’s a really strong album because it’s 10 years’ worth of work and that’s a life lived,” he said.

The album blends uplifting tones with themes of resilience and optimism, led by focus track Higher, which Murray describes as an anthem about pushing beyond limits.

“This song isn’t just a track; it’s a battle cry,” he said. “When you hear the chorus ‘higher, higher, leave it all behind’ – I want you to feel that surge of energy, that belief that nothing can hold you back.”

Murray first broke through in 2001 with The Game before cementing his place in Australian music with 2003’s Feeler. Since then, he has sold more than 1.2 million albums, achieved three ARIA chart-toppers and earned 17 ARIA nominations, all while continuously touring and releasing new music.

The Longing Summer tour follows a 56-date national run in September, which also included shows in Barwon Heads and Torquay.

For tickets, visit petemurray.com