HAZEL & The Thief
Since exploding on to the alt-country scene, HAZEL & The Thief have gone from strength to strength, showcasing their vibrant yet honest song writing and gaining the attention of influential tastemakers and performing with the likes of Karise Eden, Sunday Lemonade, Weeping Willows, Charm of Finches & Ella Hooper. Step into the world of Hazel & The Thief, where the storytelling traditions of country and folk meet the raw energy of ‘90s rock.
THE NAME: HAZEL & The Thief, attracting attention for its quirky and mysterious meaning.
The name “The Thief” holds a playful and symbolic meaning. In this context, “The Thief” represents the band members who “steal” the spotlight alongside HAZEL, each contributing their unique talents and personalities to create a captivating musical experience. It also symbolizes the way music itself can “steal” your attention, transport you to another world, and leave an indelible mark on your soul.
Hazel is also an illustrator. Keep an eye out for her illustrated lyric book, merchandise and stories. HAZEL & The Thief is more than just music.
Hazel (Heidi Luckhurst): Resilience, Roots, and Resonant Music
Born and raised on the Mornington Peninsula, Hazel (Heidi Luckhurst) channels a life rich with experience into her evocative country music. Her journey began early, exploring poetry before finding her true voice in music and theatre at 13, teaching herself guitar and earning accolades in talent quests soon after.
Life took a different path when Heidi became a mother at 19, leading to a hiatus before she re-immersed herself in the arts, teaching music while raising her first daughter. At 29, driven by passion, she pursued a Bachelor of Music Performance and Songwriting. This demanding period saw her juggling solo parenthood – navigating school-age children and extensive travel for her studies – eventually leading to running her own successful music consultancy and booking business.
It was when her children were older that Heidi fully committed to her own artistry, seizing an opportunity to record in Tasmania with celebrated ARIA and Golden Guitar-winning producer Matt Fell. Since 2024, Hazel has captivated audiences, releasing new singles every eight weeks, consistently hitting the Top 10 on national radio airplay charts.
Her talent and hard work culminated in significant recognition at the 2025 Tamworth Country Music Festival, earning a partial scholarship to the prestigious Australian Country Music Academy, a nomination for National Songwriter of the Year for “The Olden Days,” and placing in the Top 5 for the People’s Choice ‘Most Promising Future Star.’
Heidi openly shares that her path hasn’t been easy, marked by the challenges of ending a marriage, establishing a new home as a solo parent, and navigating profound personal trauma and its impact on mental health. These experiences deeply inform her music and her drive to build a strong, empowered future for her daughters, showing them dreams are achievable. Her passions extend beyond music to camping and embracing nature.
Alongside performing with her band at major festivals like Melbourne Muster, Tamworth, and the upcoming Melbourne Firelight Festival (July 5th), Hazel is set to release her debut album, “Wildflowers,” in 2025, sponsored by Concrete and the Mornington Peninsula Shire. She also brings her expertise to the local arts scene as the Head Arts and Entertainment Manager at The Shed Theatre At The Pig & Whistle. Hazel’s story is one of tenacity, heart, and the beautiful music that emerges from a life fully lived.
Hazel & The Thief released her debut album on Thursday September 11th.
Since 2024, six singles from the album have been released, each achieving Top 10 success on both the AMRAP and official Australian country music airplay charts. It was produced by multi-award-winning Matt Fell and features an impressive lineup of world-renowned musicians, including Nashville guitarist Jeff King (Backstreet Boys, Johnny Cash, Faith Hill), guitarist Ollie Thorpe (Matt Corby, Tim Freedman), drummer Josh Schubert (Josh Pyke, Fanny Lumsden), and fiddle player Luke Moller (Dolly Parton, Kasey Chambers).
The future is bright for Hazel & The Thief. After a year of hard work and dedication, 2026 promises to be a breakthrough year as she brings her quirky, authentic songwriting and performances to the forefront of the Australian music scene.
About HAZEL & The Thief:
People’s Choice nominee for “Most Promising Future Star” 2025
CCMA National Songwriter Nominee – 2025
The Senior Academy of Country Music graduate 2025
“She’s just incredible” – Fanny Lumsden
https://www.facebook.com/gdayhazel