Jump to content

The Preytells

From Alfawiki
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article The Preytells, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 2025
The Preytells
Company typeIndie rock band
IndustryMusic
Founded2004
Headquarters
Perth
,
Australia
ProductsMusic albums, EPs, singles

The Preytells were an indie rock group originating from Perth, Western Australia, established in 2004. The lineup consisted of Jessica Bennett (also known as Audrey Tell) handling lead guitar and backing vocals, Simon Okely (also referred to as Will Tell) on guitar and lead vocals, Jaclyn Pearson on drums and percussion, and Cameron Stewart playing bass guitar and providing backing vocals. Their only full-length album, Flood Songs/June Songs, came out in September 2009, shortly before they parted ways later that year. Their track "Shout!" released in May 2008 was shortlisted for the WAM Song of the Year in the Pop category in 2008; similarly, "Lord Hold My Hand" received a nomination in 2009.

History

Formed in 2004 as a four-piece indie rock band in Perth, The Preytells featured Bennett and Pearson who had previously played together in the all-female alternative rock band Lash from 1996 to 2003. Additionally, Bennett had a brief stint with fellow Perth band Spencer Tracy.

The group won the 2005 Australian National Campus Band Competition. Their first single, "Don't Leave Me Alone" (2006), co-written by all members, was part of their debut five-track EP titled Could I Change Your Mind, which they independently released in February 2007 and distributed via MGM Distribution. This EP gained airplay on stations such as RTRFM, Radio West Networks, and national youth broadcaster Triple J, where they secured victory in the Unearthed competition in November 2006, earning them a spot at the Southbound festival in January 2007.

Their sophomore EP, Shout, arrived in May 2008 with its title track earning a nomination for WAM Song of the Year under the Pop category. Following this was their third EP, Sacramento (September 2008), a murder ballad inspired by Richard Chase, known as "The Vampire of Sacramento," which they self-released. The band performed at several festivals including Southbound, RTRFM's In the Pines Festival, and YAC It Up Festival. They also supported UK acts Little Barrie and Freestylers and obtained Arts WA funding to undertake a tour across Melbourne and Sydney in August 2008.

In September 2009, The Preytells unveiled their debut album Flood Songs/June Songs, recorded at Martyn Noakes Studio with Bennett and Okely taking on production, engineering, and mixing duties. This album featured the single "Lord Hold My Hand," which was also nominated for WAM Song of the Year in the Pop category.

The band dissolved at the close of 2009. Subsequently, Okely joined Melbourne-based indie rock outfit Oh Mercy initially as a touring guitarist.

Members

  • Simon Okely (aka Will Tell) – guitar, lead vocals
  • Jessica Bennett (aka Audrey Tell) – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Jaclyn Pearson – drums, percussion
  • Cameron Stewart – bass guitar, backing vocals

Albums/EPs

  • Flood Songs/June Songs
Flood Songs/June Songs marks The Preytells' debut album, released on 11 September 2009 through MGM.
Track listing
  1. "Shout"
  2. "Nowhere to Run"
  3. "Just Now"
  4. "It Ain't Easy"
  5. "Lord Hold My Hand"
  6. "Holy Roman Empire"
  7. "Keep Running"
  8. "Sacramento"
  9. "Lies"
  10. "Sailing Houses"
  11. "I'm So Sorry"
  12. "On The Lawn and the Way You Made Me Feel"
  13. "Books"
  14. "Honey Take a Picture"
  • Sacramento
Sacramento is The Preytells' third EP, released in September 2008 with a limited edition pressing of just 100 copies.
Track listing
  1. "Sacramento"
  2. "Closed Lines"
  3. "On The Lawn and the Way You Made Me Feel"
  • Shout/I'm So Sorry
Shout / I'm So Sorry represents their second EP, launched in May 2008 via MGM.
Track listing
  1. "Shout"
  2. "I'm So Sorry"
  3. "Martyn's First Day in the Sun"
  4. "Tell Family Mix"

The track Shout received a nomination for the 2008 WAM Song of the Year under the Pop category.

  • Could I Change Your Mind (17 February 2007) Independent/MGM Distribution (preycd01 07)
Could I Change Your Mind is their debut EP released on 17 February 2007 through MGM.
Track listing
  1. "Intro"
  2. "Don't Leave Me Alone"
  3. "Could I Change Your Mind"
  4. "Tell Me Sister"
  5. "Heart Attack"

Singles

  • "Don't Leave Me Alone" (2006)
  • "Shout" (2008) – Nominated for WAM Song of the Year (2008)
  • "I'm So Sorry" (2008)
  • "Sacramento" (2008)
  • "Lord Hold My Hand" (2009)

Compilations

  • The Next Big Thing Compilation CD (2005) – featuring "Dark Moon"
  • Kiss My WAMi Dual Disc Compilation (2006) – including "Could I Change Your Mind"

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=The_Preytells&oldid=85162"