Described as ‘Australian red dirt’, Born n’ Bred members have made a name for themselves in the international country music scene.

Born n’ Bred consists of members Paul Colyvan on vocals and guitar, Glenda Bancell on vocals, mandolin and guitar, and Moama’s Sandro Susigan on vocals and bass.

Rehearsing and recording out of the group’s home studio in Rochester, the three-piece band likes to describe its sound as a fusion.

“In Nashville, they told us it was ‘red dirt’,” Paul said.

“I had to go and actually research what red dirt bands were ... I went ‘wow’, that’s what we do.

“(Glenda said) it was music with attitude, bridging the gap between country and blues.”

Fittingly named Courthouse Studios, their decked-out space repurposes the former Rochester squash courts.

The acoustics generated from the brick walls and hardwood floors blew Paul away.

“It should be horrible with it bouncing around like a ping-pong ball,” he said.

“But, it just works.

“It sounds like Led Zeppelin IV... it’s a real rich, big sound.”

Using the studio, the band members able to record all of their own music and send it back to their label in Nashville.

“I put it into Pro Tools and then send it to the (United) States, and they can do the production stuff on that,” Paul said.

“I sent them some stuff (and said) ‘how do we work this?’.

“With Pro Tools, he goes ‘we can have it back to you in 48 hours’... with the quality of this sort of stuff, he says there’s not much we’re going to do to it.”

Paul and Glenda also tutor local musicians on the guitar, drums and vocals at their studio, giving students the opportunity to record and play alongside the band.

“It’s a nice way of getting them into performing,” Glenda said.

“For me, I just get a bit bored doing the ‘sing this note’, I’m much more performance-based.”

The pair has travelled around the world in Born n’ Bred, including when the group was signed to CMG Nashville in 2012.

Sandro jumped on board about 12 months ago, craving a taste of performing again.

“I originally came from Melbourne and played in many bands down there,” he said.

“I had an incident a few years back where I lost the end of these two digits, so I don’t play guitar anymore and I started playing bass.

“I advertised wanting to do country because I love the vocals, I love the harmonies, the stories.”

In its time, the group has delivered its live shows across the region and beyond.

They have performed across the United States, around Melbourne, and more recently at Echuca’s Winter Blues Festival and on the Bendigo Groove Tram.

“We’ve done the Groove Tram,” Glenda said.

“It was so much fun.”

Born n’ Bred also regularly performs at the soon-to-close Falcon Hotel.

The final day for the beloved pub on Sunday, June 1 will see one last open mic from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

Local favourites Lou and Mark, Rat and Anita, and, of course, Born n’ Bred will round out the night as the crew calls last drinks.

Born n’ Bred will also grace the Taras Hall Hotel on Friday, May 30 from 8pm to 10pm, supported by Rochester’s own singing sensation Evie Scoble.

To keep up with Born n’ Bred, head to the Facebook page facebook.com/BornnBred or visit the website at bornnbredausreddirt.com

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Monday, 13th October 2025

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