John Stokes Captures the Heart of Rural Australia with 'Crumbling Down'
Grit meets grace on 'Crumbling Down', the powerful new single from Australian alt-country storyteller, John Stokes.
Following 2024's 'Dear Mum', the track fuses folk, country and rock influences beneath John's weathered vocal - a freewheeling reflection on the state of rural Australia and the resilience it takes to stay standing.
"It's about what it once was, where it's at now, and where to from here," says John. "Towns bypassed with highway development, droughts, floods, financial costs of living and the desperation! At times you are a part of it and the fall out."
The song began, fittingly, from a single image. "It actually started from the first line - 'Broke glass from a windowpane laying in the church yard'. I just visualised all I had been involved with" he recalls. "I basically wrote down what I've seen and felt. Sometimes as a writer you can get bogged down, but this one came straight out."
Produced by multi award winning Shane Nicholson at Monkey Jump / Ziggy Tone Studios in Melbourne, John watched it expand sonically while retaining its soul. "Shane began the process of adding drums, bass, guitars and backing vocals - it was so much fun watching and listening to him do his thing" John says. "I think for me personally, I don't really have an ego, and to have a producer like Shane take over the reins was perfect. I feel it's best to let go and trust experience. Funny enough, the song is still just as I wrote it!"
That honesty runs through every line of 'Crumbling Down', a song shaped by a life spent on the land - shearing sheep, working cattle, spraying weeds, making hay, operating tractors and flying ag planes. John's grounded experience of rural highs and lows gives the track its weight and authenticity. It captures a turning point in John's journey - both musically and personally. "2025 has been an amazing journey for me. Sonically, the music is heading in a direction that's more than ever from my heart. I couldn't be any more content at the moment."
The accompanying video, filmed and produced by Roaming Creatives, was shot across regional NSW - at a farm near Vacy, the general store, and the church at Paterson. That collaboration began at the DAG Sheep Station Songwriters Retreat, where John met filmmaker Josh Beverage. "I messaged Josh to ask about a music video, and it all came together" he says.
With a deep, earthy sound shaped by alternate tunings and traditional instruments like the didgeridoo and bodhrán, John delivers music that feels grounded in the Australian landscape. A seasoned performer who's played everywhere from pubs to festivals since the late '90s, he's now carving his own path as a distinctive alt-country songwriter - currently touring across Canberra, Sydney and regional NSW, with shows leading into Tamworth Country Music Festival in January 2026.
Beyond music, John is the definition of a true Australian adventurer - a sheep shearer, dirt bike champion, rodeo rider, hang glider, marathon runner and commercial pilot. "As my father says, 'you are an adventurous spirit.' And I say, 'Dad, life is short so why limit yourself.'"
It's that same freewheeling, fearless energy that fuels 'Crumbling Down', a song rooted in truth, grit and a deep respect for the country that raised him.
Following 2024's 'Dear Mum', the track fuses folk, country and rock influences beneath John's weathered vocal - a freewheeling reflection on the state of rural Australia and the resilience it takes to stay standing.
"It's about what it once was, where it's at now, and where to from here," says John. "Towns bypassed with highway development, droughts, floods, financial costs of living and the desperation! At times you are a part of it and the fall out."
The song began, fittingly, from a single image. "It actually started from the first line - 'Broke glass from a windowpane laying in the church yard'. I just visualised all I had been involved with" he recalls. "I basically wrote down what I've seen and felt. Sometimes as a writer you can get bogged down, but this one came straight out."
Produced by multi award winning Shane Nicholson at Monkey Jump / Ziggy Tone Studios in Melbourne, John watched it expand sonically while retaining its soul. "Shane began the process of adding drums, bass, guitars and backing vocals - it was so much fun watching and listening to him do his thing" John says. "I think for me personally, I don't really have an ego, and to have a producer like Shane take over the reins was perfect. I feel it's best to let go and trust experience. Funny enough, the song is still just as I wrote it!"
That honesty runs through every line of 'Crumbling Down', a song shaped by a life spent on the land - shearing sheep, working cattle, spraying weeds, making hay, operating tractors and flying ag planes. John's grounded experience of rural highs and lows gives the track its weight and authenticity. It captures a turning point in John's journey - both musically and personally. "2025 has been an amazing journey for me. Sonically, the music is heading in a direction that's more than ever from my heart. I couldn't be any more content at the moment."
The accompanying video, filmed and produced by Roaming Creatives, was shot across regional NSW - at a farm near Vacy, the general store, and the church at Paterson. That collaboration began at the DAG Sheep Station Songwriters Retreat, where John met filmmaker Josh Beverage. "I messaged Josh to ask about a music video, and it all came together" he says.
With a deep, earthy sound shaped by alternate tunings and traditional instruments like the didgeridoo and bodhrán, John delivers music that feels grounded in the Australian landscape. A seasoned performer who's played everywhere from pubs to festivals since the late '90s, he's now carving his own path as a distinctive alt-country songwriter - currently touring across Canberra, Sydney and regional NSW, with shows leading into Tamworth Country Music Festival in January 2026.
Beyond music, John is the definition of a true Australian adventurer - a sheep shearer, dirt bike champion, rodeo rider, hang glider, marathon runner and commercial pilot. "As my father says, 'you are an adventurous spirit.' And I say, 'Dad, life is short so why limit yourself.'"
It's that same freewheeling, fearless energy that fuels 'Crumbling Down', a song rooted in truth, grit and a deep respect for the country that raised him.
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