Slowly Slowly is an Australian rock band from Melbourne, Victoria. The band currently consists of Ben Stewart (lead vocals, guitar), Patrick Murphy (drums), and Alex Quayle (bass guitar). Albert Doan (guitar) was a member of the band from its formation until 2026. The band released their debut album, Chamomile, in 2016. They have gone on to release a further four studio albums: St. Leonards (2018), Race Car Blues (2020), Daisy Chain (2022) and Forgiving Spree (2025).
Slowly Slowly has performed at festivals such as Beyond the Valley, Splendour in the Grass, and Party In The Paddock. They have also supported Red Hot Chili Peppers and Amy Shark on Australian national tours.
Career
In June 2015, Slowly Slowly released their debut single "Empty Lungs". This was followed by the singles "New York, Paris" and "PMTWGR" in 2016. The band released their debut studio album Chamomile in July 2016.
In May 2018, Slowly Slowly released their second studio album St. Leonards which spawned three singles; "Aliens", "Alchemy" and "Ten Leaf Clover".
In May 2019, Slowly Slowly covered "Skinny Love" by Bon Iver for Triple J's Like a Version.
In January 2020, the group announced their third full-length album Race Car Blues, to be released on 28 February 2020. They released the album's title track on that same day.
On 25 January 2020, the band were announced as having placed at No. 57 in the Triple J Hottest 100, 2019, with the single "Jellyfish"; This was Slowly Slowly's first ever entry in the annual countdown.
In August 2021, the band cancelled the remainder of their Race Car Blues tour dates and said plans for the band are "on hold" due to health challenges currently being faced by frontman Ben Stewart.
On 22 January 2022, the band made their second-ever appearance in the Triple J Hottest 100, 2021, with the single "Blueprint". This would become the first single released for the band's fourth studio album, Daisy Chain, released on 4 November 2022.
In September 2024, the band announced the forthcoming release of Forgiving Spree.
On 25 July 2026, at their Chamomile 10 years gig at The Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy, it was announced that Albert would no longer be playing with the band due to family commitments and the grueling tour schedule.
Discography
Studio albums +List of studio albums, with release date, label, and selected chart positions shown Title Details Peak chart positions AUSPeak chart positions in Australia: For St. Leonards: For Race Car Blues: Chamomile Released: 8 July 2016 Label: Slowly Slowly , Catch & Release Format: Digital download, streaming — St. Leonards Released: 11 May 2018 Label: UNFD Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming 77 Race Car Blues Released: 28 February 2020 Label: UNFD Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming 7 Daisy Chain Released: 4 November 2022 Label: UNFD Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming 5 Forgiving Spree Released: 24 January 2025 Label: Slowly Slowly, Nettwerk Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming 8
Reissued albums +List of Reissued albums, with release date, label, and selected chart positions shown Title Details Peak chart positions AUS Race Car Blues Chapter Two Released: 26 February 2021 Label: UNFD Format: LP, digital download, streaming —
Singles + List of singles as lead artist Title Year Peak chart positions Album AUS "Empty Lungs" 2015 — "New York, Paris" 2016 — Chamomile "PMTWGR" — "Aliens" 2017 — St. Leonards "Alchemy" 2018 — "Ten Leaf Clover" — "Jellyfish" 2019 — Race Car Blues "Skinny Love" — Like a Version (Volume Fifteen) "Creature of Habit Pt.2" — Race Car Blues "Safety Switch" — "Low" — Race Car Blues Chapter Two "Race Car Blues" 2020 — Race Car Blues "19" — "Slow Learner" — rowspan="2" "Melbourne" — "Comets & Zombies" — Race Car Blues Chapter Two "The Level" 2021 — "First Love" — "Blueprint" — Daisy Chain "Nothing On" 2022 — "Forget You" — "Daisy Chain" — "Longshot" — "God" — "Gimme the Wrench" 2024 — Forgiving Spree "All Time" — "Forgiving Spree" — "Love Letters" — "How Are You Mine?" —
Notes
Awards and nominations AIR Awards The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known as the AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's independent music sector.
! |- ! scope="row"| 2021 | Race Car Blues | Best Independent Rock Album or EP
! scope="row"| 2023 | Daisy Chain | Best Independent Rock Album or EP
| rowspan="1"| 2026 | rowspan="1"| Benjamin Stewart for Forgiving Spree | Independent Producer of the Year
| rowspan="1"|
APRA Awards The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually. Slowly Slowly has been nominated for one award.
! |- ! scope="row"| 2020 | "Jellyfish" (Ben Stewart) | Most Performed Rock Work of the Year
J Award The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.
! |- ! scope="row"| 2018 | Themselves | Unearthed Artist of the Year
Rolling Stone Australia Awards The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.
! |- | 2022 | "Blueprint" | Best Single
References