Lachie Hayes: Australia's Indie Folk Storyteller

Lachie Hayes is an Australian singer-songwriter carving a distinct path in the modern indie folk scene. Hailing from Melbourne, his career gained significant momentum following the viral success of his independently released single "Wide Open Road," which charted on the ARIA Singles Chart and led to a major label deal.

Early career

Born in 1996, Lachie Hayes began writing songs as a teenager in Melbourne's inner suburbs. His first foray into music came through uploading raw acoustic demos to online platforms, which cultivated a small but dedicated following.

This grassroots buzz culminated in his self-released debut EP, Coastal Drift, in 2017. The low-key release showcased his narrative lyricism and warm vocal delivery, attracting attention from local independent labels.

Breakthrough

The year 2019 marked a turning point for Hayes. His independently released single Wide Open Road found unexpected traction on social media, leading to millions of streams.

Its organic success propelled it to number 35 on the ARIA Singles Chart and earned a gold certification in Australia. This breakthrough resulted in Hayes signing a recording contract with Liberation Records later that same year.

Key tracks

Wide Open Road — This breakthrough single went gold and charted nationally, defining his early sound of expansive, road-trip-ready folk.

Borrowed Time — The lead single from his debut album highlighted a more polished, full-band arrangement and received high rotation on Australian radio.

Kookaburra — A later collaboration with fellow Australian artist Gretta Ray showcased his skill in harmony-driven duets within the indie folk genre.

Melbourne Skies — This fan-favorite track from his debut album is a quintessential homage to his city of origin and its changing landscapes.

His debut album, The River & The Road, was released in 2021 under Liberation Records. The album debuted within the top 20 of the ARIA Albums Chart, solidifying his place in the Australian music landscape.

Hayes has since collaborated with artists like Gretta Ray and supported international acts on their Australian tours. His follow-up work continues to explore introspective songwriting while incorporating subtle elements of alt-country and rock.

Fans of Lachie Hayes's heartfelt Australian indie folk often appreciate the work of similar artists. Angus Stone shares a similarly laid-back, narrative-driven acoustic style. Julia Jacklin operates in the same space of candid, guitar-based Australian storytelling. The Rubens blend soulful vocals with indie rock in a way that resonates with Hayes's fuller arrangements. Matt Corby offers a comparable depth of vocal emotion and folk-soul exploration.

Lachie Hayes's music has become a staple on Australian independent music radio stations and online folk radio streams. His tracks are frequently featured in daytime and evening rotations, particularly on stations that champion homegrown songwriting talent and the broader indie folk genre.

Listeners can discover the authentic indie folk sound of Lachie Hayes by tuning into the radio stations featured on our website. His catalog, from early hits to newer releases, is regularly played on various stations available on onairium.com.