There's a vast expanse of ocean in the lives of the McClymonts, but in their indomitable style, they're not going to let something like the Pacific get in their way.

The three sisters from country Australia have been leading a double life since they released their first album five years ago. While eternally loyal to the Australian scene that nurtured them and continues to invite them back to major events like the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Brooke, Sam and Mollie have set their sights on the massive country scene of the US, starting with Nashville, which they now call home. Or at least, half a home.

It's this sentiment that powers third album Two Worlds Collide: not only are the McClymonts forever living out of suitcases in the pursuit of their dream, but this collection is a reflection on the nature of country and mainstream music. It the McClymonts' hope that the walls between the two will continue to be broken down as fans opt to listen to universal music they love, rather than being boxed in to one genre.

But on to the music. The McClymonts understand the impact of a simple song with a lot of heart.
While the sisters have a deep appreciation for country artists like Deanna Carter, Alison Krauss, Carrie Underwood, and are talented multi-instrumentalists, they've successfully woven in elements of pop, rock and dance music to create a sound that's fresh and full of life. Undeniably, Two Worlds Collide is a feel-good album. Even in its darkest moments – moments of loneliness and heartbreak – there's an appreciation of the beauty in life.

"We've always been three strong, independent women," reflects Sam. "A lot of girls come up to us after shows and thank us for getting them through break-ups with our music and making them feel stronger. That's a real compliment, to know that we can empower anyone through our music."

Always keen to surround themselves with creative forces, the sisters chose to work with three very different producers at the top of their game. Nathan Chapman is a longstanding cohort who co-wrote songs on the McClymonts' debut album, Chaos and Bright Lights, and produced some of their sophomore album, Wrapped Up Good. He's become best known for catapulting Taylor Swift to fame thanks to his ability to country music a fresh pop feel. Peter Asher, meanwhile, has five decades in the business, working on crossover greats such as Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt. Then there's Grammy award-winning producer Luke Wooten, a Nashville stalwart with country music running in his veins. Working alongside him and his sleek local players who can nail a new song in two or three takes was an incredible eye-opener for the sisters.

There's no doubt about it: Nashville has made the McClymonts feel very welcome. Not only have they appeared twice on stage at the Grand Ole Opry, but they've rubbed shoulders with country music's elite at George Jones' 80th birthday. "We still feel like we're breaking through, yet we get all these incredible moments and meet these incredible people," wonders Sam. "They're the light-bulb moments where you go, wow. To know George Jones just from being a picture on your dad's album cover, and then to actually be there at his birthday…" And in a US market that's notoriously hard to make a dent in, the sisters have found themselves playing to 10,000 people a night touring with Jason Aldean, not to mention opening for Ronnie Dunn (Brooks & Dunn) and Lady Antebellum.

While the sisters are humbled at their success, no one could begrudge them it, given the sacrifices they've made trawling between two different hemispheres. It's a sentiment tied up in tracks like ‘Feel Like Going Home' and ‘Piece of Me'; bittersweet tales of never having enough time with those who matter most.

"It's hard," muses Sam, "but we have a great group of friends and family who really get that music is our main focus. They all support us and understand we don't like missing all the family events. Nobody makes us feel guilty for all those moments, because they know how important this is to us. We just make it work. We're attracted to people who are have that very career-driven mindsets as well, who aren't threatened by what you do and how much time and commitment you put into it."

This drive for success that the sisters share originated back in their childhood days, spent in Grafton NSW – a country town of around 17,000, built on the mighty Clarence River. Prone to both drought and floods, its streets are lined with intoxicating, purple-bloomed jacaranda trees. Unsurprisingly, the town has a rich country music heritage, with Troy Cassar-Daley – a generation older than the McClymonts and an early mentor – just one of many musicians hailing from the area. It was here that Brooke, then her younger sisters, discovered a love of performing.

"Brooke is the oldest by five years and she was always writing songs," laughs Sam. "We've even got old cassettes of her singing into a tape recorder – making songs up about random things going on in her crazy little 11-year-old life." Brooke started entering into local talent quests that took the family further and further afield. Eventually, bred of sitting and playing cards, her younger sisters started to join in. "That's how Molly and I got into it," Sam admits, "through default that we were there and could sing. Soon it became the three of us on the road every weekend, with our little matching outfits for the group selection, those ridiculous things you do at that age."

Grafton, say the sisters, was a rock-solid community that has always been behind the band. "Mum was a hairdresser and Dad was a butcher, so of course we knew everyone," Sam smiles. "We were kind of sheltered from the big, bad world, and we're lucky we had that innocent upbringing that allowed us to focus on music. It was the best environment a kid could ever grow up in. When Brooke was 16 she won a talent contest to go to America. We'd have fund-raisers and everyone would go out and help support and raise money for the flights over there. That support is still there today. We'll always do a concert in Grafton and sell out a show, and the papers still call us to check up with what we're doing. The town gets behind everyone."

It's this sense of community spirit that inspired the sisters to give back. In Christmas 2006 they took off to Afghanistan and Iraq for 20 days, to play for the troops. "It was nice to be doing something for people away from their family at that time of year," explains Sam. "We're lucky that music gives us those kind of experiences."

Such a trip would have daunted many acts, but the McClymonts relish every challenge. As new track ‘Sweet' suggests, these sisters have a truckload of pluck and spirit to fuel their Pacific-sized dreams. "When we struggled to get a US deal for Wrapped Up Good we just started our own label," shrugs Sam. "It was scary, but we've been working towards this since we were little girls and we're not going to give up now. Whatever happens, we can say that we didn't back down and we gave it our all."