Episode 5: Paddy Macrae – The Dreggs
The Dreggs. Image: Jordy Wydra
Listen to the Trusty Chords podcast via your preferred platform of choice here.
Before I wrote this intro, I looked up the exact definition for the word ‘dregs’, and the most notable example – alongside the likes of ‘sediment contained in a liquid’ – was the one which read ‘the most undesirable part’. If you’ve ever listened to Sunshine Coast duo The Dreggs, you’d be well aware that they’re the very anthesis of this definition.
Kicking things off back in 2017, Paddy Macrae and Zane Harris first began their musical journey as buskers, before realising they had a musical talent that was better suited to something other than simply performing cover songs. Soon enough, they were releasing their own music, with singles like the Gold-certified 'Give Myself To You' arriving in 2017, and the Seas Embrace EP coming about in 2018.
As time went on, they pair honed their craft even further by releasing a myriad singles, playing shows just about everywhere they could, and becoming a staple of festival stages around the country. Now, we fast-forward to 2024, and the group have just released their debut album, Caught In A Reverie.
As you might expect, it’s a corker of an album, packed full of that breezy, folky, pop-influenced sound upon which they carved out a niche for yourself. If you’re someone who likes those summer vibes presented to you on-demand, then you’d do quite well to check out The Dreggs.
With the new album out in the world, I was lucky enough to catch up with Paddy Macrae for a brief chat to talk about the group’s musical journey, and I’m excited to share it with you today.
Once you’re done giving Caught In A Reverie a spin, I invite you to press play, enjoy the chat with Paddy, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.
Paddy Macrae’s Trusty Chords
Paddy’s One Influential Artist
Matt Corby
Paddy’s Three Impactful Albums
Matt Corby – Telluric (2016)
City And Colour – Bring Me Your Love (2008)
Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More (2009)
Paddy’s Five Trusty Songs
City And Colour – ‘We Found Each Other In The Dark’ (2011)
Matt Corby – ‘Miracle Love’ (2018)
Mumford & Sons – ‘The Cave’ (2009)
The Lumineers – ‘Ophelia’ (2016)
Bill Withers – ‘Grandma's Hands’ (1971)
