Brothers3
| Company type | Independent, later signed to major labels |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Mudgee , Australia |
| Products | Country, folk, bluegrass music; albums and singles |
Brothers3 is an Australian country music group originating from Mudgee, New South Wales, composed of siblings Makirum, Shardyn, and Tayzin Fahey-Leigh. In 2014, they reached the final stages of the sixth season of The X Factor Australia, finishing as the last act eliminated.
Early life
The band Brothers3 is made up of brothers Makirum, Shardyn, and Tayzin Fahey-Leigh. Their mother, Alita Fahey, has a background as a singer, actress, and television reporter. Their father, Stephen, passed away from a heart attack on 25 December 2006. The family includes two additional siblings. Growing up on a farm in Mudgee, New South Wales, the brothers were raised without consistent access to electricity, television, or running water, fostering a deep connection to music from an early age. Their education was conducted through distance education at home.
2009–14: Formation and music releases
Brothers3 was established as a special present for their mother's 50th birthday. On 30 November 2009, they issued their first single "Road to Cargalgong," paired as a double A-side with "Where the Eagles Fly." Their initial album, Where the Eagles Fly, was independently released on 31 March 2010 through Hardrush Music and included ten original tracks written on their New South Wales farm. In December 2010, they released their second single "Christmas in Australia," also as a double A-side with "A Christmas Song."
Their second album Wattle Fire featured the lead single "Lyrebird on the Roof," which came out independently on 1 January 2011; the full album followed on 29 January 2011. The single "Kelsey's Song" was released on 4 February 2011 and was part of their third album Australia, launched independently on 1 December 2011. Their fourth album, titled Let It Drift, was independently released on 31 January 2013. On 17 January 2014, Brothers3 simultaneously released two albums: Travelling, consisting of original compositions, and Favourites, which combined original pieces with cover songs. From Favourites, their rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" was issued as a single on 1 September 2014.
2014: The X Factor Australia
In 2014, Brothers3 auditioned for season six of The X Factor Australia by performing Taylor Swift's "Safe & Sound." They earned unanimous approval from all judges and advanced to the super bootcamp phase. Progressing through subsequent bootcamp rounds with performances including One Direction's "Story of My Life" and The Bangles' "Eternal Flame," they reached the home visits segment in Sydney under the mentorship of Dannii Minogue.
Although initially cut during home visits, Brothers3 were reinstated as Minogue's wildcard choice after winning the public vote, granting them entry into the live finals—consisting of eleven weekly live shows featuring progressive public eliminations. After other contestants in Minogue's category were eliminated early on, Brothers3 remained as her last act despite entering as a wildcard. They ultimately finished as the final contestant eliminated during the grand final showdown on 20 October 2014, placing behind runner-up Dean Ray and winner Marlisa Punzalan.
Appearances on The X Factor
indicates a performance that charted on the ARIA Singles Chart.
indicates the contestant was eliminated.
| Stage | Theme | Song performed | Original performer | Performance order | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audition | Open selection | "Safe & Sound" | Taylor Swift | N/A | Advanced to super bootcamp |
| Super bootcamp 1 | Group number | "Back for Good" | Take That | Progressed to super bootcamp 2 | |
| Super bootcamp 2 | Solo act | "Story of My Life" | One Direction | Moved on to home visits | |
| Home visits | Open selection | "Eternal Flame" | The Bangles | Eliminated (Returned as wildcard) | |
| Week 1 | Judges' selection | "Just the Way You Are" | Bruno Mars | 9 | Safe from elimination |
| Week 2 | Legends theme | "Always on My Mind" | Elvis Presley | 12 | Safe from elimination |
| Week 3 | Decades challenge | "Happy Birthday Helen" | Things of Stone and Wood | 1 | Safe from elimination |
| Week 4 | Top 10 hits theme | "Hey Brother" | Avicii | 5 | Safe from elimination |
| Week 5 | Latest and greatest hits | "Pompeii" | Bastille | 2 | Safe (placed first) |
| Week 6 | Rock genre week | "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" | Coldplay | 8 | Safe from elimination |
| Week 7 | Judges' challenge week | "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" | The Proclaimers | 1 | Safe from elimination |
| Week 8 | Australian artists week | "Amnesia" | 5 Seconds of Summer | 5 | Safe from elimination |
| Week 9 | Killer tracks and curveballs | "The Sound of Silence" | Simon & Garfunkel | 4 | Safe from elimination |
| "Que Sera" | Justice Crew | 7 | |||
| Week 10 (Semi-Final) |
Power and passion theme | "Best Song Ever" | One Direction | 1 | Safe from elimination |
| "Massachusetts" | Bee Gees | 5 | |||
| Week 11 (Grand Final) |
Audition piece | "Safe & Sound" | Taylor Swift | 4 | Eliminated in final round |
| Duet performance | "Like a Drum" (with Guy Sebastian) | Guy Sebastian | 2 | ||
| Winner's single release | "The Lucky Ones" | Brothers3 | 7 |
2014–present: Brothers Never Part
On 24 October 2014, Brothers3 signed a deal with Sony Music Australia. Their sixth single, "The Lucky Ones," which was released as their winner’s single for The X Factor, debuted at number 29 on the ARIA Charts#ARIA Singles Chart. Following this launch, Sony Music ended their contract with the group. Subsequently, in 2015, they entered into an agreement with Warner Music Australia. Their seventh single, titled "Brothers Never Part," was issued on 11 September 2015. The group's seventh studio album, also named Brothers Never Part, was slated for release on 15 January 2016, representing their initial major label album.
Artistry
Brothers3 focus on classic styles such as traditional country, folk, and bluegrass. Their songwriting is driven by authentic narratives, often drawing inspiration from rural experiences, animals, and genuine life events. Each band member is proficient with multiple instruments, including the banjo, bass, clarinet, guitar, harmonica, keyboard, mandolin, and trumpet. Their musical style has been shaped by artists like Darren Cogan, John Williamson, Johnny Cash, Keith Urban, Miley Cyrus, Reg Poole, The Robertson Brothers, Slim Newton, and Taylor Swift.
Shardyn Fahey-Leigh
Born on 18 December 1995, Shardyn Fahey-Leigh is the oldest sibling in the group. He acknowledges Earl Scruggs, John Denver, and Keith Urban as significant influences on his musical development. Outside of music, Shardyn has a background in acting and musical theatre. In 2002, he made a guest appearance in the science fiction series Farscape. By 2006, he performed alongside Hugh Jackman in the arena production of The Boy from Oz, portraying a young Peter Allen. He also took on the role of Wil in John Williamson's bush musical Quambatook in 2008 and appeared as Jamie Cooper in the soap opera Home and Away. The following year, he portrayed young magician Bertie in the series My Place. Shardyn left school prematurely to attend university and completed studies at the Australian Academy of Music and Performing Arts before participating in The X Factor.
Tayzin Fahey-Leigh
Tayzin Fahey-Leigh, born 23 December 1996, is the band's second eldest brother. He cites influences from country music and Queen. Besides his musical pursuits, Tayzin has acted in various roles including a guest spot on the Australian medical drama All Saints in 2002 and appearances in the films Son of the Mask (2005) and Hell Has Harbour Views (2005). In 2011, he played teenage Chad Morgan in the documentary I'm Not Dead Yet. Like his brother, Tayzin left school early to pursue higher education at JMC Academy in Sydney prior to joining The X Factor.
Makirum Fahey-Leigh
The youngest brother, Makirum Fahey-Leigh was born on 28 December 1997. His musical inspirations include Guthrie Govan. Makirum has also established himself in acting and musical theatre; notably he portrayed Pete in John Williamson's bush musical Quambatook (2008). His film credits feature roles in Happy Feet (2006) and The Black Balloon (2008). In 2011, he appeared as a guest actor on the Australian drama series Crownies. Following a similar path as his siblings, Makirum left school early to attend university and studied at the Australian Academy of Music and Performing Arts before competing on The X Factor.
Studio albums
| Album title | Release details | Highest chart ranking |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Where the Eagles Fly |
|
— |
| Wattle Fire |
|
— |
| Australia |
|
— |
| Let It Drift |
|
— |
| Travelling |
|
— |
| Favourites |
|
— |
| Brothers Never Part |
|
11 |
| "—" indicates albums that did not enter the charts. | ||
Singles
| Title | Release Year | Highest Chart Positions | Associated Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| "Road to Cargalgong" / "Where the Eagles Fly" | 2009 | — | Where the Eagles Fly |
| "Christmas in Australia" / "A Christmas Song" | 2010 | — | — |
| "Lyrebird on the Roof" | 2011 | — | Wattle Fire |
| "Kelsey's Song" | — | Australia | |
| "Hallelujah" | 2014 | — | Favourites |
| "The Lucky Ones" | 29 | — | |
| "Brothers Never Part" | 2015 | — | Brothers Never Part |
| "We’ll Never Part" (Composed by Ray McCoy) | 2019 | — | — |
| "—" indicates a single that did not enter the charts. | |||
Other charted songs
| Title | Year Released | Peak Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| "Just the Way You Are" | 2014 | 98 |
| "Always on My Mind" | 73 | |
| "Happy Birthday Helen" | 86 | |
| "Hey Brother" | 58 | |
| "Pompeii" | 91 | |
| "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" | 75 | |
| "Que Sera" | 42 | |
| "The Sound of Silence" | 48 | |
| "Massachusetts" | 87 | |
| "Safe & Sound" | 82 |
Music videos
| Title | Year Released | Director(s) |
|---|---|---|
| "Road to Carcalgong" | 2010 | Ross Wood |
| "Where the Eagles Fly" | Ross Wood | |
| "Leaving Home Now" | 2011 | |
| "Wattle Fire" | Ross Wood | |
| "Home Is Where the Heart Is" | 2012 | |
| "Australia" | Justin J. Wood | |
| "Convict Lady" | 2013 | |
| "Tiny's Mandolin" | Alita Fahey | |
| "Let It Drift" | ||
| "They Call the Country" | 2014 | |
| "The Lucky Ones" |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award Category | Award Name | Outcome (wins only) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Canberra Country Music Awards | Best New Artist | Template:Won | |
| 2010 | Canberra Country Songwriting Awards | Country Composition Youth (Shardyn Fahey-Leigh) | Template:Won | |
| Best Balladeer Song ("Leaving Home Now") | Template:Won | |||
| Best Country Blues Song ("Slow Joe Blues") | Template:Won | |||
| Best Rockabilly Song ("Where the Eagles Fly") | Template:Won | |||
| 2011 | Australian Country Music People's Choice Awards | Best Group | Template:Won | |
| Most Promising Future Star | Template:Won | |||
| Australian Independent Music Video Awards | Best Country Music Video ("Where the Eagles Fly") | Template:Won | ||
| Canberra Country Music Awards | Best Children's Country Song ("Tony's Farm") | Template:Won | ||
| Canberra Country Songwriting Awards | Template:Won | |||
| Best Rockabilly Song ("That Happy Feeling") | Template:Won | |||
| Tamworth Meet 'n' Greet Fans Choice Awards | Most Popular Independent Group/Duo | Template:Won | ||
| 2012 | Tamworth Songwriters Awards | Children's Song of the Year ("Tony's Farm" with Alita Fahey) | Template:Won | |
| Australian Country Music People's Choice Awards | Best Group or Duo | Template:Won | ||
| Canberra Country Music Awards | Best Australian Heritage Song ("Australia") | Template:Won | ||
| Best Alternate Country Song ("Country Vs. Rock") | Template:Won | |||
| Best Country Swing Song ("Crowpecker Blues") | Template:Won | |||
| Best Folk/Australiana Song ("Convict Lady") | Template:Won | |||
>
Country Music Awards of AustraliaSince 1973, the Country Music Awards of Australia have been held annually each January as part of the Tamworth Country Music Festival, celebrating outstanding achievements within the Australian country music scene. |
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| 2016 | Brothers 3 | New Talent of the Year | [1] |
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