Things of Stone and Wood waited 23 years to release a new album, apparently they’re making up for lost time.
The Melbourne folk-rock veterans have announced The Final Forest, their second record of 2026, arriving October 30th before the band heads back out on the road in November.
It comes just months after Rae Street, which broke the band’s two decade plus album drought when it arrived in March and went on to debut at No. 10 on the ARIA Australian Albums chart.
Greg Arnold and Michael Allen then took the record around the country on the band’s ‘Original Duo’ tour, with most dates selling out.
The Final Forest comes from a different place.
While Rae Street was built around a stripped back bedroom folk sound, the new album heads towards the 1970s, with Arnold on piano and vocals, Allen on bass and vocals and Tony Floyd on drums and vocals playing together as a live trio.
Close harmonies are a major part of the record too, reaching back towards the band’s beginnings singing together in Melbourne share houses.
That shift also means the November shows won’t simply be another run of duo dates.
Arnold, Allen and Floyd will tour as the trio that recorded The Final Forest, while the set up will stretch well beyond piano, bass and drums. Acoustic guitars, mandolins, accordions, recorders and the inevitable tambourine are all part of the plan.
The shows will pull from both of the band’s 2026 albums alongside older favourites including “Happy Birthday Helen”, “Wildflowers”, “Rock This Boat” and “Share This Wine”.
It’s been a remarkably busy return for a band that started the year releasing its first album since 2003.
By the end of October, Things of Stone and Wood will have doubled that comeback catalogue.
The Final Forest Tracklist
1. The Hills of Johanna
2. The Final Forest
3. Open My Eyes
4. Miles Away
5. One Day
6. Wither on the Vine
7. Take Me Home
8. For The Lovers
9. They Disappear
10. Take To The Skies
Pre Order here.
Things of Stone and Wood Australian Tour 2026
Tuesday, November 3rd – Melbourne, Brunswick Ballroom
Friday, November 13th – Brisbane, Lefty’s Music Hall
Saturday, November 14th – Canberra, Belconnen Arts Centre
Sunday, November 15th – Avoca Beach, Avoca Beach Theatre
Thursday, November 19th – Sydney, Camelot Lounge
Friday, November 20th – Perth, Ellington Jazz Club
Saturday, November 21st – Fremantle, Freo Folk Festival
Find out more and pick up your tickets here.
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