The Audreys Founding Member Tristan Goodall Passes Away

Celebrated musician and founding member of The Audreys, Tristan Goodall has passed away.

The news was shared by Taasha Coates via the band’s Facebook, with the singer announcing that Goodall passed away on the weekend, aged 48.

In late 2021, The Audreys announced that Goodall had stepped down from the group due to ill health and would be permanently retiring from playing and touring, although would still be writing.

“I have talked to so many people in the last few days who knew Tristan, and the outpouring of love has been overwhelming,” Coates shared today.

“He touched so many of us with his beautiful music, his big heart, his big hugs and his big goofy laugh.

“Tristan and I met in 1997 in Adelaide. We were university students, with silly dreams about touring the world with a band. Tristan already played in a rock band, which was so cool to this skinny jazz singer with a breathy voice and crippling stage fright. But Tristan saw something in me, and as we started playing and writing songs together a whole new world opened up. 

“We went on to do so many wonderful things together with our music. We met and worked with amazing and talented people, we walked onto stages big and small together all over the world. It has been the most incredible adventure. 

“25 years later I have to say goodbye to my dearest friend, my musical soulmate, and my grief is almost unbearable. Rest in peace my darling Tristan. We had a dream and we made it happen, can you believe that?

“Thank you so much for sharing that journey with me. I will miss you everyday.”

The South Australian icons were quick to develop a following around the release of their acclaimed debut album, 2006 offering Between Last Night And Us, which featured triple j favourites You & Steve McQueen, Oh Honey and Banjo & Violin, and was certified Gold in Australia while claiming Best Blues and Roots Album at the ARIA Awards.

Two years later, they released When The Flood Comes, which peaked at #20 on the ARIA Albums Chart and saw them awarded Best Blues and Roots Album again; a title they’d claim for a third time with 2010’s Sometimes The Stars.

Goodall and Coates’ fourth album, Til My Tears Roll Away, was also nominated for the award.

When departing The Audreys, Goodall said that he was “forever grateful” for the “fearless musicians, the guiding hands [and] the tireless helpers” who helped them achieve their dream.

“I know The Audreys will be safe in Taasha’s hands and ready for what comes next,” he added. “And I know that if you’re reading this then you came to a show, bought a record, or at least heard a song. That means this music, the biggest part of me, is also the tiniest part of you. Cool, yeah?”