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Dustin Tebbutt picked as Rdio’s One to Watch ahead of upcoming mini-album

‘Home’ is an important theme for indie folk singer-songwriter Dustin Tebbutt, who threads the sound of his Scandinavian and Australian roots through each of his releases. The theme is carried through distinctly to Tebbutt’s upcoming mini-album which features new single Home, a gorgeous, delicate track with the initial familiarity of Tebbutt’s classic indie-folk sound, which builds into a more dynamic climax with heart-breaking strings and thunderous drums.

Tebbutt has been back on red-dirt home-ground for some time after relocating to Sweden for two years to write and record his achingly-pretty debut EP The Breach and follow-up EP Bones. Reflecting the roots he’d laid at the time, and echoing the likes of Sigur Rós and Asgeir, both are imbued with the otherworldly feel of Nordic winter, with a sense of flickering, cabin-fire warmth created through through Tebbutt’s delicate acoustics and earnest falsetto.

Since returning home to Australia, Tebbutt released the shimmering, dream-like Illuminate, a collaboration with fellow Aussie Danny Harley of The Kite String Tangle and followed up with a national tour that showcased the best of both these emerging artists (we reviewed it here).

While sometimes returning from abroad can signal the end of the adventure, for Tebbutt, it seems it marks a road of exciting opportunity. Ahead of the upcoming seven song mini-album set to be released on September 18 and an accompanying national tour, this September streaming service Rdio have selected Tebbutt as their Artist to Watch. Rdio’s Artist to Watch initiative features a series of handpicked local and international artists (with the likes of Alison Wonderland and Last Dinosaurs) which Rdio supports in their development and success. Rdio will not only share Tebbutt’s existing catalogue but a series of exclusive playlists, a selection of influences for upcoming mini-album Home as well as Tebbutt’s pick for his top 5 artists to watch.

With the Nordic winter behind him and the Australian summer ahead, it seems it’s exciting times for one of our favourite indie-folk artists. Welcome home Dustin, we’re glad to have you back.