The Dreggs
The Dreggs | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia |
| Genres | Folk pop[1] |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Label |
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| Members |
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The Dreggs are an Australian folk pop duo formed in 2017 consisting of Paddy Macrae and Zane Harris from Bribie Island.[2][3] Emerging from the Sunshine Coast's thriving music scene, the band has rapidly evolved into a formidable international live act, renowned for their high-energy, mass-singalong performances. They released their highly acclaimed debut album, Caught in a Reverie, in 2024 [4], followed by their sophomore album, The Art of Uncommon Practice, in July 2025, which saw the band pushing into bolder, expansive rock sonic territory [5].
Career
2017–2022: Career beginnings and multiple singles
The duo was formed in 2017 by Paddy Macrae and Zane Harris, busking in the streets up the Sunshine Coast. The name, the Dreggs, comes from when they were promoting one of their local live shows and Harris said, "Let's see what these Dreggs have done." The duo liked the sound of it and adopted it as their artist name.[6]
The Dreggs released their debut single "Give Myself to You" in 2017 and a 6-track EP titled Seas Embrace in May 2018.[2]
In 2018 the duo released the singles titled "Gold" and "Feel Alive".
Throughout 2019 the duo released the singles "Just for One Night" and "You And Me".
During 2020 the duo released the five singles; "Postcards", "Simple Question", "Call Me Home", "A Song to Be Named" and "Keepsake".
2021 brought about the duo's singles, "Head Above Water", "Let You Go" and "Your Love".
The singles titled, "The Forest Song", "Hold Me Closer" and "Madeline" were released throughout 2022 by the duo.
2023–2024: Increasing popularity and Caught in a Reverie
In July 2023, "Give Myself to You" was certified gold in Australia.[7]
On 2 June 2023, the duo released the track "For Your Love" from their debut album.[8] Later in the year on September 29 the duo released another track from the album titled "Take a Little Time".[9]
The Dreggs were the first feature artist for Triple J Unearthed in 2024 further increasing their growth and reach.[10]
In November and December 2023 the Dreggs appeared at their first Triple J sponsored music festival, Spilt Milk and performed at Canberra, Gold Coast, Ballarat and Perth.[11]
In February 2024 the duo released their single "Places" on Triple J.[12] A couple of days later they announced their upcoming debut album titled Caught in a Reverie, which features 12 tracks and will be released on 26 April 2024.[13] To support the album the duo announced album launch parties in parts of Queensland and Victoria. The duo also announced a UK/EU tour to support the album, as well as another tour throughout Australia and New Zealand.[14]
The duo was announced as one of the acts to perform at Australian music festival, Splendour in the Grass in July 2024, their first appearance at the festival.[15] However the major festival was cancelled merely weeks after ticket went on sale. The duo revealed they were set to perform on the main stage and were publicly vocal on the impacts this cancellation has on the Australian music scene with Macrae stating "For everything to get cancelled in the blink of an eye, it's terrifying".[16]
The duo released their fourth single from their album titled "Peeps with the Goods" on 22 March 2024, the track has Australian artist Matt Corby credited as a writer and producer for the track.[17]
On 26 April 2024 the duo released their debut album Caught in a Reverie, which features 12 tracks.
2025: The Art of Uncommon Practice
In 2025, The Dreggs entered a bold new era with the release of their sophomore album, The Art of Uncommon Practice (released July 25, 2025). Preceded by singles like "Get Knocked Down" and "We Don't Talk"—co-written and co-produced by Matt Corby and Chris Collins—the album pushed the band's signature sound into driving indie-rock territory.
The year also marked their milestone debut on Triple J's prestigious Like A Version, where they delivered a widely praised, high-energy cover of A-ha's 80s classic "Take On Me". The performance was a massive success, leading to The Dreggs securing two spots in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2025: their "Take On Me" cover landed at #70, alongside their original single "We Don't Talk" at #91.
Following a massive sold-out Australian national tour in July, The Dreggs embarked on an extensive global run, including major headline tours across North America, the UK, and Europe throughout late 2025. The band is also slated to perform at major 2026 festivals, including Lime Cordiales Lime Fest.
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [18] | ||
| Caught in a Reverie |
|
29 |
| The Art of Uncommon Practice |
|
63 |
Extended plays
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Seas Embrace |
|
Certified singles
| Title | Year | Certifications | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Give Myself to You" | 2017 | Seas Embrace |
Awards and nominations
AIR Awards
The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Caught in a Reverie | Independent Album of the Year | Nominated | [20] |
| The Dreggs | Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year | Nominated |
Queensland Music Awards
The Queensland Music Awards (previously known as Q Song Awards) are annual awards celebrating Queensland, Australia's brightest emerging artists and established legends. They commenced in 2006.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | "We Don't Talk" | Folk Award | Won | [21] |
References
- ↑ "The Dreggs". Triple J Unearthed. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- 1 2 3 Simon Anders (May 2018). "THE DREGGS Release 'Seas Embrace' EP". With Guitars. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
- ↑ "Premiere: Meet The Dreggs, who make pop-infused folk with Call Me Home". Pilerats. 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- ↑ Walters, Tammy (7 May 2024). "The Dreggs latest album Caught In The Reverie has such a warm accessibility that welcomes all styles of listeners". Forte Magazine. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
- 1 2 "The Dreggs Announce New Album & National Tour, Drop Fresh Single". The Music. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
- ↑ Reid, Poppy (12 June 2020). "Get To Know: Sunshine Coast indie-folk duo The Dreggs". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ↑ Mary Varvaris (18 July 2023). "Sunshine Coast Folk Duo The Dreggs Go Gold In Australia". The Music.
- ↑ "Instagram". Retrieved 12 January 2024 – via Instagram.
- ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ↑ "The Dreggs | triple j Unearthed". www.abc.net.au. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ↑ "Line Up – Spilt Milk". spilt-milk.com.au. 7 April 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ↑ "Home & Hosed: First Play from The Dreggs". triple j. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ↑ "Caught in a Reverie Vinyl Album". The Dreggs Merch. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ↑ "The Dreggs". The Dreggs Music. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ↑ "The Dreggs – #SITG24 – Splendour In The Grass". splendourinthegrass.com. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ↑ "'It's terrifying': Music industry reacts to Splendour's shock cancellation". ABC News. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ↑ Peaks in Australia:
- Caught in a Reverie: "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- The Art of Uncommon Practice: "Tim Minchin and Michael Clifford score top 10 debuts". Australian Recording Industry Association. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
- ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
- ↑ "The Nominees for the 2025 AIR Awards Are Here". The Note. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ↑ Mary Varvaris (23 April 2026). "Ball Park Music, Jem Cassar-Daley & More Take Home Prestigious 2026 Queensland Music Awards". The Music (magazine). Retrieved 23 April 2026.