Moonshine & Maple give 500 Miles a fresh country-folk makeover.
“With "500 Miles," Moonshine & Maple accomplish what every great cover should: they honor the spirit of the original while making it entirely their own, this single marks a promising first step for an exciting new voice in Australian country music.” - Country Music News International July 2026
"fine reworking of a fine song" - Australian Country Radio July 2026
“This is not a cover, it’s a reinterpretation, it’s been done extremely well, so well, that I’ll be listening for more from them” - Tempo on the Pulse 74.7FM August 2026
Victorian country duo Moonshine & Maple release their debut single on July 31, putting a fresh acoustic spin on The Proclaimers' iconic hit 500 Miles.
Rather than recreating the upbeat anthem that has become a favourite around the world, Lisa and Joseph have stripped the song back to its bare essentials, allowing listeners to hear the lyrics in a whole new way.
“The result allows listeners to appreciate the song’s message of love and commitment” Lisa says.
Joseph said it was a favorite with listeners, “we’ve been playing the song live for quite a while and have had many requests to record so off we went to the studio”.
Moonshine & Maple first crossed paths through the weekly Bellarine Country Music gathering in Geelong, where they are now both regular members of the house band, The Urban Collective. A shared passion for country music soon led them to form the acoustic duo, combining Joseph's experience as a charting country artist with Lisa's love of storytelling through song.
Joseph previously enjoyed country success with his project The Bloomvilles, while this new duo has continued to build their live profile, performing at the Cowboy Christmas Festival, supporting Hayley Jensen on the Geelong leg of her 2025 tour, appearing at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and the Lake Charlegrark Music Marathon.
While 500 Miles marks Moonshine & Maple's first single release, it brings their live performances to radio with great musicianship and vocals.
They are now planning on taking their music to more festivals including Tamworth in January where they will open for Sally-Anne Whitten and The Rumour Mill, plus The Lake Charlegrark Music Marathon in February 2027.
Stripped Back and Reimagined: Moonshine and Maple Reinvent "500 Miles" with Heartfelt Acoustic Charm
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Victorian country duo Moonshine & Maple make their official recording debut on July 31, with a captivating new take on The Proclaimers' timeless anthem, "500 Miles." Rather than trying to duplicate the explosive, upbeat energy of the original, duo members Lisa Joy and Joseph Calderazzo strip the track down to its acoustic core, revealing the vulnerable, deep commitment at the center of its lyrics.
The transition from stadium-sized crowd-pleaser to an intimate duet works exceptionally well. By slowing down the tempo and leaning into rich, blended harmonies, Moonshine & Maple transform a familiar melody into a tender statement of devotion. It’s a arrangement born out of popular demand—after becoming a standout staple of their live sets, fan enthusiasm pushed the pair into the studio to capture the magic on tape.
The duo’s organic connection stems from their time together in The Urban Collective, the house band for Geelong’s Bellarine Country Music gathering.
Combining Calderazzo’s background as a charting country artist (notably with The Bloomvilles) and Joy’s intuitive knack for vocal storytelling, the project brings together two seasoned musicians operating in total harmony. That live polish—honed on stages from the Cowboy Christmas Festival to supporting Hayley Jensen—translates seamlessly into a warm, radio-ready debut.
With "500 Miles," Moonshine & Maple accomplish what every great cover should: they honor the spirit of the original while making it entirely their own.
As they gear up for a busy festival schedule—including a high-profile opening slot for Sally-Anne Whitten and The Rumour Mill at Tamworth in January—this single marks a promising first step for an exciting new voice in Australian country music.