A Quick Chat with Rhiz and the Sugarplums
Naarm/Melbourne’s Rhiz & The Sugarplums have just released their second album, ‘All Over Again’. Drawing inspiration from the golden era of country and roots music, ‘All Over Again’ is a love letter to classic country, filtered through a contemporary Australian lens. Rooted in traditional styles yet unequivocally fresh and original, the album pairs timeless melodies with Rhiz's own unique voice and perspective.
The band will also embark on a 21-date tour across the country, starting with their album launch at Brunswick Ballroom on Saturday 12th September. Tickets and info here.
What are the origins of Rhiz & The Sugarplums? Where and how did the project start?
A few years back I was working as a newly trained midwife and had almost stopped playing music all together… Until 2022 when a family-friend and mentor, Peter Daffy from Camperdown (VIC), called me up and said it was a shame I wasn't playing music anymore (I grew up playing Celtic/folk music as a teenager but with the stress of the COVID lockdowns and starting out as a new midwife, unfortunately playing music had gone to the back burner). Pete suggested I give country/roots music a go because he felt like it would be a good fit for me stylistically. I had grown up listening to country music but for some reason never really tried playing it. First Pete suggested I learn seven country songs... then he suggested I write seven of my own... then it kind of just snowballed from there! Eventually we got a few more friends on board - Jordy Hickey on double bass (another student of Pete's), Mandy Keating on drums, and Pete Fidler of steel guitar. Since then we’ve performed at many venues and festivals across Australia, and are now releasing our second album. I recorded this one late last year in Nashville.
Tell us a bit about the new album ‘All Over Again’. What does it mean to you?
This album is particularly special and important to me because I'm dedicating it to my mum, Ann, who sadly passed away from early-onset dementia last year. Despite her illness, she was the happiest, most positive person I've ever known. So while these songs are not directly written about my mum, I did want to make an album that reflected her joyful, positive nature. Track 8 (Next To You) is however written for her.
I was lucky enough to record this album at Tree House Studios in Nashville, Tennessee in September last year (2025). It includes eleven of my original songs, and I recorded them with a bunch of incredible studio musicians who are as lovely as they are talented. We had Dennis Crouch on bass for majority of the tracks (who has played with Elton John and Ringo Starr), and also Mark Winchchester on bass for a few (Emmy-Lou Harris, The Stray Cats). We had Justin Amaral on drums (Jim Lauderdale), Dakota Holden on pedal steel guitar (Lukas Nelson), Aaron Till on fiddle and mandolin (Asleep At The Wheel, The Time Jumpers) and Jeff Taylor on piano accordion (Paul Simon, Elvis Costello). It was recorded and mixed by Tim Carter (Tree House Studios, Nashville TN), mastered by Dave Harris (Studio B Mastering, Charlotte, NC) and produced by myself!
I’m really proud of the way I produced this album whilst working alongside such a talented bunch professionals. I was a little nervous in the lead up to it, but once we got started everything just seemed to fall into place. I now can’t wait to show everyone back home in Australia the finished product, so I’m really looking forward to our regional album launch tour this spring!
Are there any inspirations you look to beyond music when writing or performing?
A take a lot of inspiration from my mum. Like I mentioned she was an incredibly happy and positive person. I try to channel that in not only the music I write but also in the way that I perform. I just want to play music that allows people to feel good and have fun. My mums superpower was making everyone around her feel happy and I just want to try and do the same.
Interestingly I also take a lot of inspiration from my other job as a midwife. I get to see women at their strongest day in and day out, and it’s an incredible thing to witness. While it doesn’t directly relate to my music, it does reinforce how strong and powerful women are generally. I think in a weird way this kind of inspires me to stay strong as a young woman working in the often male-dominated music industry.
Name the five songs that have informed your song writing more than any others.
That's a tricky question!... Hard to narrow it down to just five songs. Here are five of my most-loved songs by five of my favourite artists/songwriters. I'm certain these would have subconsciously impacted my songwriting just from listening to them six billion times…
1.) Lucinda Williams - Still I Long For Your Kiss
2.) Dolly Parton - The Grass Is Blue
3.) Iris Dement - Hotter Than Mojave In My Heart
4.) Willie Nelson - Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground
5.) Lake Street Dive - You Go Down Smooth
What Australian artists are you listening to at the moment?
I saw Emma Donovan at Port Fairy Folk Festival earlier this year and I was totally blown away by her powerful voice and stage presence. I’m really enjoying listening to her new album ‘Take Me To The River’ as well as discovering some of her older repertoire too.
On an even more local level, I’ve always really enjoyed listing to The Cartwheels. They’re a fantastic band from Glenlyon in central Victoria, not too far from where I grew up in Ballarat. I particularly love the songwriting and guitar style of the frontwoman, Wendy Phypers.
How do you hope your music might impact listeners?
We strive to play positive, feel-good music. Our band ethos is all about providing fans with music that transports them and leaves them feeling both happy and restored, which we believe is particularly important in current times.