LONG BIO

Evan Buckley spent most of his childhood waiting for the rapture to come. Born in Canberra, he was raised in a strict fundamentalist Christian cult, home-schooled and isolated from the rest of society. Prevented from having and real friends, he found connection in the form of making up "crappy two-chord songs" to fill his lonely hours over those troubling years, when the only music he could listen to was hymns.

Music became teenage Buckley’s lifeline when his family eventually left the cult and re-entered society.

"Music was the main point of connection for me, going to gigs and starting bands with friends my own age. I went from being the really weird guy to gradually being accepted as a musician, and connecting with people through music."

Buckley’s life and career became defined by music and travel. With this new-found freedom, Evan set out on transformative tours across the United States. He was first invited to tour the US in 2010, which saw him hitchhiking through 37 states with minimal plans or resources, relying on his instincts and the kindness of strangers. His debut album You're Quite a Forest was recorded in Michigan in 2010, and its release marked The Burley Griffin as a band to watch. Off the back of the release, The band enjoyed a slew of airplay, shows and festival appearances in Canberra.

His second US tour, during the divisive 2016 presidential election, offered him a firsthand look at the complexity of American life, a theme that surfaced in his next chapter of songwriting. The music that emerged from this period reflects both the absurdity and the beauty of the American dream, set against a backdrop of personal and political unrest. Released in 2015, the self-titled full-length album Burley Griffin was received once again to local acclaim, this time spilling over into community radio airplay outside of the ACT, as well as a spin on ABC Radio National’s The Music Show.

“Aside from the catchy, melodic pop hooks and the tasty tinges of country-rock, there is a clever form of lyrical agility occurring that is nothing short of genius.” - Joshua Eckersley, BMA Magazine

Cut to the latest album, 2021’s Lost Limbs, a work that reaches a new height of reflection and musical evolution.

“Lost Limbs is me processing a whole bunch of grief and resonating with watching gumtrees blowing in the wind. the strain and the euphoria. It tracks my losses of Christianity, marriage, faith in establishments and celebrates the joy found in letting go of the safe and feeling for the real.”

Lost Limbs brings together a tapestry of sounds and feelings, offering listeners both catharsis and contemplation. The sold out album launch happened hours before Canberra went into full lockdown, and featured a who’s who of Canberran musicians.

“The Burley Griffin, is one of the most exciting musicians currently peddling his wares in Canberra's burgeoning indie music scene.” - Joshua Eckersley, BMA Magazine

The Burley Griffin’s Americana-infused sound is as eclectic as Evan’s journey. His songwriting fuses post-religious folk hymns with cinematic, lyrical singalongs and exuberant joyous hip-shakers. The band’s performances are known for their sweeping emotional range—gentle introspection swells into searing crescendos and complex harmony, painted exquisitely by the band. The notoriety of their live performances have led to supports for iconic Australian artists including Mia Dyson, Custard and Augie March, as well as festival spots at The National Folk Festival, Jindyfest,, Summer Rhythm and Enlighten.