The Milk Carton Kids Return

Good Songs, Dry Humour & A Dobro: The Milk Carton Kids Are Coming Back.

Seven albums into a career built on beautiful harmonies, acoustic guitars and wonderfully dry humour, The Milk Carton Kids have apparently made an important discovery: the dobro. And in March, they’re bringing it to Australia.

Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan — better known as The Milk Carton Kids — have followed the release of their seventh studio album, Lost Cause Lover Fool, with a new standalone single, “Making A Fool Of Myself.”

While a new song from one of contemporary folk music’s most distinctive duos is reason enough to pay attention, the band believes we should be focusing on something considerably more historic.

The dobro has arrived. “Surprise bonus track to celebrate the start of tour!” Joey Ryan says.

“On Monday we’ll release Making A Fool Of Myself, which includes an epochal milestone in TMCK history — the introduction of the dobro.” Apparently, the whole thing started with Kenneth Pattengale simply messing around with the instrument.

“The song emerged directly from Kenneth’s dobro ramblings, and will surely lead to the next great wave of discovery amongst burgeoning gen alpha folkies, who are already reporting that Kenneth’s dobro playing is actually kinda tough.” That pretty much tells you what you need to know about The Milk Carton Kids.

Behind the beautifully crafted songs and close harmonies has always been a pair of musicians who don't seem particularly interested in taking themselves too seriously. And yet, musically, they absolutely do.

Pattengale and Ryan have spent years refining a sound that proves two voices, a couple of acoustic instruments and a great song can still be more than enough.

Making A Fool Of Myself continues that story, arriving in the wake of Lost Cause Lover Fool while opening another little door in the duo’s sound. A dobro-sized door, apparently.

The new music arrives with some particularly good news for Australian fans.

The Milk Carton Kids return to Australia in March 2027 for an extensive run of shows through Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.

The tour forms part of Love Police’s 30th anniversary celebrations, continuing a relationship between the Australian promoter and The Milk Carton Kids that stretches back more than a decade.

Love Police previously brought the duo to Australia in 2015 and 2023, and for Love Police’s BT, having Kenneth and Joey back is about considerably more than simply putting another tour on the road.

“These two rascals have only been able to make it down here a couple of times over the years. Each time has been a rousing good time, making friends and delivering quality shows with virtuoso musicality and humour.

“Who would know you could have such deep moments in a show and laugh out loud as well.”

That combination has become something of a Milk Carton Kids trademark. Their shows can move from exquisite musicianship and close harmonies to wonderfully understated banter without ever feeling like somebody changed gears.

One minute the room is completely silent. The next, Pattengale and Ryan have everyone laughing. Then they start playing again.

For Australian audiences who have seen them before, that probably needs little explanation. For everyone else, March might be the time to find out.

The 2027 run begins at Melbourne Recital Centre on March 3 before heading into regional Victoria for Meeniyan and Castlemaine, followed by two appearances at Port Fairy Folk Festival. From there, the pair head north to Brisbane before coming back through Bangalow and Sydney and finishing the run at the Blue Mountains Folk Festival in Katoomba.

Two voices. Two guitars. Some very good songs. Plenty of stories. And now, apparently, a dobro.

THE MILK CARTON KIDS — AUSTRALIA 2027

Love Police Presents
The Milk Carton Kids
Plus Guests

Wednesday March 3 — Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne VIC
Friday March 5 — Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan VIC
Saturday March 6 — Theatre Royal, Castlemaine VIC
Sunday March 7 & Monday March 8 — Port Fairy Folk Festival, Port Fairy VIC
Wednesday March 10 — Princess Theatre, Brisbane QLD
Thursday March 11 — A&I Hall, Bangalow NSW
Friday March 12 — City Recital Centre, Sydney NSW
Saturday March 13 — Blue Mountains Folk Festival, Katoomba NSW