To celebrate the debut album, which has been in the works for more than three years, the band will be touring the country, stopping at Tomerong in January. 

Johnston has been hosting The Gum Ball music festivals in his parents’ front yard in the Hunter Valley since 2004. Somewhere in the festival fog he acquired a working pseudonym as the Magpie, due to his nature of “swooping” in on anything tangible that would potentially provide service to the festival site.

In the winter of 2012, after the sudden tragic passing of a close friend, Johnston unassumingly began the Magpie Diaries project as a way of coming to terms with the loss.

The emotional journey led him to revisit past musical escapades and written memoirs, where he pieced forgotten songs and faded memories together in order to play a special solo show at his favourite pub in the world, the Junkyard, Maitland.

“The music has that kind of psychedelic 60s and 70s vibe with a bit of alternative country and folk rock,” Johnston said. 

“Magpie Diaries started out as a solo project but now it’s a five piece band with my wife, which is awesome.” 

Johnston said he was excited to finally be releasing an album, after years of writing and recording. 

“Music has always been the number one desire for me, but like anyone with other commitments, it’s been on backburner,” he said.

“A lot of the songs have been around for some time, and they’ve developed from simple folk songs to seven piece band arrangements.

“The album laid back and relaxed and I think that kind of reflects the person that I am.” 

While most of the songs have deep and sometimes emotional stories behind them, there are a number of playful references throughout the album. 

“There are a lot of food references like honey, strawberries and cream,” Johnston said. 

“There is a lot people can relate to with food. Music can be as complex as you make it so I think keeping it simple is a bit of an art form in itself.” 

While on tour, Magipie Diaries will share the stage with some close friends and talented musicians in their own right, Steve Smyth, Masco Sound System and Coda Chroma. 

“I’m always chuffed about how much great music Australia has to offer,” Johnston said. 

“To share this tour with my friends is pretty special and I feel pretty excited to be bringing such a great family of musos down to the South Coast.” 

Magpie Diaries will perform at Tomerong Hall on January 25, for tickets visit http://dashville.com.au/magpiediaries/.