The Tonalists release their second single “Pulling Out All Stops” on 24th July 2026, celebrating with a single launch at George Lane, St Kilda, on Friday 31 July.
“Pulling Out All Stops” sits right in the sweet spot of what The Tonalists are about – southern soul blues with a New Orleans swagger, built from a core trio of keyboards, guitar and drums, then layered with rich vocal harmonies and brass.
The song has a laconic swing and a determined drive, while conveying a sentimentality through both melody and lyrics. Conceived on the Hammond, its title derives from an old organ expression meaning to literally pull out all the organ ‘stops’ used to change the sound and let it blast at full power. The lyrics remind us that it is those around us who inspire us to take on a challenge – and that we’re here for a good time, not a long one, so let’s give it some!
In some ways, the song reflects the story of the band. Longtime friends Mick Coll, Jason Kain and Nigel Wright share a history of playing the music of The Meters, Dr John and others, and initially formed The Tonalists as a Hammond trio, adding pianos and lap steel as points of difference. Tom Williams and Christian Foyle later joined on brass and vocals, providing the opportunity for richer harmonic layering and greater tonal variety to The Tonalists’ palette.
Like the band, the song starts as a trio, with organ bass, piano and drums locking down the rhythm section, guitar lines threading throughout. Brass announces itself midway through on the main instrumental theme, later weaving together with vocals in call and response through the final bridge and chorus, before the horns and Hammond take the closing theme home.
Already a favourite in the live set, “Pulling Out All Stops” was recorded partly at Cross Street Music Hall. The studio sessions gave the band room to build on the live arrangement, drawing out the rhythmic interplay and layering tone on tone as the song builds.
The Tonalists continue to draw on southern soul and blues as a source of inspiration, combining their experience, knowledge and musicianship into a sound that feels at home in Melbourne and is distinctly their own.
“Pulling Out All Stops” will be available on all major streaming platforms from 24th July 2026 and is available now on Bandcamp.
Personnel
Mick Coll – Hammond organ, keyboards and vocals
Jason Kain – guitars
Nigel Wright – drums and vocals
Tom Williams – trombone, percussion and vocals
Christian Foyle – saxophone and vocals
The Tonalists launch “Pulling Out All Stops” at George Lane, St Kilda, on Friday 31 July 2026.
Listen now on Bandcamp
Media enquiries
tonalists@musicosity.com
Bookings
bookings@tonalists.com