Geelong to enjoy ex factor

DROP kick me Jesus (through the goalposts of life) was almost the name of this alt folk group, who instead chose the equally delightful name All our Exes Live in Texas.

The Sydney four-piece’s name has been a head-turner for media and music fans alike, with guitarist-cumsinger Katie Wighton revealing the unique decision-making process behind the moniker.

“We actually just Googled bestslash-worst country song titles, and that was one of them,” Wighton said with a laugh. “So it’s not a fascinating story, but that’s how we got the name.”

“Other possible names were Her teeth were stained but her heart was pure, and Drop kick me Jesus (through the goalposts of life).

“I guess (All our Exes) was kind of equal first — best and worst.”

All our Exes Live in Texas was formed when the four singermusicians — Hannah Crofts (ukulele), Georgia Mooney (mandolin), Elana Stone (accordion) and Wighton (guitar) — came together for a 2013 gig.

“Our friend puts on these nights with his band The Morrisons, and he put on a night a few years ago and suggested we do a few songs, so the four of us got together and sort of sang a few songs and that’s how the band started,” Wighton said.

“We all had solo careers before that and we sort of just got together and decided that it would be more fun to do things together.”

That first gig — which included a handful of covers of songs from the much-loved Coen Brother’s film O Brother, Where Art Thou? — kicked off a swift rise in popularity.

With just one album under their belt the group has already toured with a wide range of artists, from the Backstreet Boys to Aussie legends Midnight Oil, and even performed at the internationally renowned South by South West festival in Texas.

“We had a lot of luck in the beginning I think,” Wighton said.

“I don’t know that we’ve necessarily made it.

“I think it’s always hard. Music is not an easy road in the sense that it takes a long time to kind of get anywhere, so we’ve worked really hard, but we’ve been lucky in that we’ve had lots of support, lots of really great people got on board.”

All our Exes will perform in Geelong next month, playing at the Workers Club on Saturday, July 8, as part of their When We Fall national album Tour.

It won’t be the first time the group has made its way to town. “We love Geelong,” Wighton said. “We played in Geelong with Boy and Bear last year and we’ve played in Lorne at the festival of arts last year.”

For All our Exes first-timers, Wighton’s advice is to be ready for a good time.

“We have a pretty fun time together on stage,” she said.

“So hopefully people can have a bit of a laugh, and we sing a lot of songs about our feelings — it’s sort of a roller-coaster of emotions if you will.” All our Exes Live in Texas will play at the Workers Club on July 8. Bookings: oztix.com.au.