Australian duo for KING & COUNTRY, featuring brothers Joel and Luke, are the hottest debut to watch this year. They will be posting exclusive blogs leading up to the release of their debut album, “Crave,” on February 28! Here, Luke shares his amazing and sometimes painful journey to music.

It’s quite a treat for me to be able to write this blog for The Comet! Today I sit in a dressing room in Fort Wayne, IN thinking back over the years as to how I got here. Here is a little story about my journey.

My brother Joel and I were born in Australia and moved to America due to our Dad’s job change. Growing up in a different country where everyone must over pronounce their Rs and where they’re obsessed with a game called ‘football’ (strange name considering the ball rarely hits the foot) was really a joy. I loved getting to learn all about a different culture and the way this country worked. I’m also glad for the move because this is where I discovered music and much, much more!

My dream was to play basketball in college. I wasn’t an amazing player in high school but thought I could make a team in a lower division and during my junior year of high school, I decided to put everything I had into it. During my first game of that year I had a wonderful first quarter but then disaster struck. After the other team had rebounded the ball, I decided to defend the player as he dribbled and as soon as I made the cut up the court, I felt my knee pop. I hobbled to the center of the court and realized that something certainly wasn’t right. It was on the bench that I realized, I wouldn’t play again that year.

It’s certainly funny how things play out the way they do. Turned out I tore my ACL and after surgery, my knee healed, but my dream of playing basketball was over. Soon after, Joel asked if I would do a little songwriting and work on a few demos together and that’s when music took on a whole new meaning and purpose for me. We wrote tons and tons of songs and after a few years, a producer heard it and signed us to a development deal. A few more years later, a publishing and then record deal came our way.

Music is now my life and I’m privileged to be a part of it.

It made me realize recently that at times, we run away from the most painful or difficult things in life but those can be the very things that help shape us, direct us.

I might not have my ‘original’ ACL in my left knee, but it did open doors that I never thought would open and created opportunities that I never thought existed. Pain might not always be enjoyable, but it can alter your life in such a positive way – we just might not be able to see it in the moment.

So there is a little bit about me and my journey. I look forward to the next few weeks as we get to do this more and thanks for allowing me to share this experience with you.

All the best now.
luke, for KING & COUNTRY