No One Knows Country Music Quite Like The Washboard Union

After speaking to one-third of The Washboard Union—Chris Duncombe, or ‘Dunner’ as he is more commonly referred—for only a few minutes, one is immediately taken by his ability to tell stories. With a thick, furry beard and a Clint Eastwood cowboy hat, he’s like the kind of soulful uncle to whom you could present any dilemma and receive the most eloquent, special advice in return. 

Such is Dunner’s ability to concentrate one’s most complex feelings into a song that can be sung by the masses, The Washboard Union are continuing their ascent into country music history. The band, comprised of Chris ‘Dunner’ Duncombe, Aaron Grain and David Roberts, have just released their fourth studio album, Westerly, and are poised to continue their winning streak. 

Unlike many musicians, who seem to wind themselves into balls of nerves the night of their album release, Dunner could not present in a calmer manner. Which sort of makes sense, given their newest album was named after Canadian westerly winds.  

“[The album] is named after the winds from the west that flow through the country. The kind of winds that blow you in all directions. This is an album that flows everywhere from hope to heartbreak and back again,” Dunner tells Countrytown.

Still, it can’t be an easy task to follow up three beautifully intricate albums that continue to pack a punch. It’s also been four years since the group’s previous effort, Everbound, was released. Rising to the challenge, it appears the group have really taken their time with this record. 

Speaking of the recording, Dunner said the group tried to create a different recording environment from the one on their previous records.

“We arrived in a studio just outside of Nashville, and it was different because the producer sat at his desk. Then we all sat around him like an orchestra. We’ve never done that before”. 

While the recording process has changed, the writing process has not. “I’m big on the lyrics side. For me, it’s a whole lot of 2 am wake-up and whisper into my phone. Then I bring it [to the boys], and it grows from there. But all of us have our contribution. We stand up when the time is right”. 

Clearly, it’s all worked out for the group, as Westerly is a finely cut record that demonstrates both their growth and supreme artistry. Whilst most musicians claim their newest album feels special, in this case, The Washboard Union are really believable. “I do remember that moment and just being like, this is incredible; this is how I want to make music. I really appreciated that”. 

You see, writing country tunes for the Washboard Union comes with a certain level of ease. As Dunner puts it, “It’s in [our] blood. In [our] soul”. Whilst such a comment could usually induce an ounce of scepticism, in this case, I really believe it.

You see, Dunner’s life up until this point has been steeped in country music and bluegrass. His Father was a mountain policeman who raised him on the likes of Buck Owens, Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, and more. Dunner has always felt at home in country music. “It’s always felt like it was in me [because of this]. It’s easy to draw on melodies I heard when I was three or four years old.” 

The Washboard Union is not simply a matter of business either, as Dunner and fellow band member Aaron Grain are step-brothers too.

“Aaron and I met when we were thirteen years old when my dad came home one day and said, ‘I’ve met a lady, and she’s got a son about your age, and we’re going camping this weekend’. He [Aaron] became my new brother”.

“We got our driver’s licenses together, went to college together. I managed Aaron’s first band while I was living in a dorm in university. We’ve been writing and playing music together our whole life”. 

The brothers later met the third member of their trifecta at a punk rock bar in Vancouver called the Hungry Eye in Gastown.

“The guy behind the microphone was this long-haired guy who was grinding a power grinder against a mic stand and spraying sparks all over the crowd. He had this voice and this high register like we hadn’t heard before. So, we were just like, ‘We have to know this dude.’”

The trio later moved into a house together, found a shared interest in music and started to write music. This formed the early days of the Washboard Union, who named the band after an old- washboard on the wall of the house, which was used as a percussive instrument. 

Speaking of his deep love of country music, Dunner said, “In its very essence, it’s humble, it’s authentic, and it tells great stories. There are lots of genres that do that well, but country does it like no other.” 

Dunner has a theory about why many mainstream artists, such as Beyoncé and Lana Del Rey, are pivoting towards more country sounds.

“Country songs say things that you could not find the courage or the words to say. They can be the greatest party song you’ve ever heard. They can be songs about drinking yourself out of whatever trouble you’ve gotten yourself into. I just think it’s so universal. It’s American songbook stuff”. 

As for Australian country artists, Dunner considers himself to be a fan. “From the [Australian] artists I’ve seen so far, like Travis Collins and The Wolfe Brothers, it’s just as meaningful to you [Australian fans and artists] as it is to us”.

As a result, the band is currently formulating plans to tour Australia early next year. 

Whilst they are currently amidst the heady mess that is festival touring, for Dunner and the rest of the boys of The Washboard Union, out in the country will always be where their heart is. “There are all these trite images of digging your boots in dust and dirt, but really, there is something honest in there. I gravitate to what puts my heart at peace. For some, that’s bright lights and sidewalks. But for me, it’s always been needing to be in the mountains”. 

Dunner says he finds inspiration out there and watches bears walk around his property (but that’s a story for another time). But really, from our conversation, you just get the feeling that this is what these boys were made to do, and long may they continue to do so.

The Washboard Union’s new album, Westerly, is out now via Universal Music.