Silverchair’s Ben Gillies has unveiled a new band, The Kiln, alongside two-time Grammy-winning producer and multi-instrumentalist Joseph Prielozny, marking the announcement with a limited-edition vinyl auction supporting Australian music industry charity Support Act.

The pair revealed their new musical project in a social media announcement, confirming that their self-titled debut album will arrive in 2027. But fans won’t have to wait until then to get their hands on a copy — provided they’re willing to bid for one of just four test pressings in existence.

“It’s my birthday, but this year, the present’s going the other way,” Gillies said in an accompanying video, announcing the auction to coincide with his birthday on October 24th.

The album’s first vinyl pressing will be limited to 250 copies, but before production began, just four test pressings were created. Gillies and Prielozny are keeping one each, while a third, signed by both musicians, is being auctioned with half of the winning bid donated to Support Act.

“Only four of these vinyls exist. They’re the very first copies of the record ever made,” Gillies explained.

“This test pressing is incredibly special to us because it’s one of four, and one of you will get to hear it before it’s released to the public,” Prielozny added.

The collaboration brings together two musicians with extensive, albeit quite different, musical backgrounds.

Gillies is best known as the drummer and co-founder of Silverchair, one of Australia’s most successful rock bands. Across their career, the Newcastle trio released five consecutive ARIA No. 1 albums, beginning with 1995’s Frogstomp and concluding with 2007’s Young Modern, before announcing an indefinite hiatus in 2011.

Outside Silverchair, Gillies has explored several projects, including Tambalane with Wes Carr and his own band Bento, which released its debut album Diamond Days in 2012. He has also released a steady stream of solo work under his own name.

Prielozny, meanwhile, has built an international career as a producer, songwriter and engineer. His Grammy credentials include a 2013 win for his engineering work on Lecrae’s Gravity, which took out Best Gospel Album, and a songwriting credit on Lecrae and for KING & COUNTRY’s “Messengers”, which won Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song in 2015.

While further details about The Kiln’s sound remain under wraps, the duo’s website describes the project as being built around a shared love of songwriting, experimentation and honest storytelling. Their forthcoming album explores the tension between holding on and letting go.

The launch also puts a spotlight on Support Act, the Australian charity providing crisis relief, mental health and wellbeing assistance to musicians, managers, crew and other music industry workers.

“We’re partnering with Support Act who does great work in the Australian music community,” Prielozny said.

Bidding for the signed test pressing is now open and closes at 12pm AEDT on Saturday, October 31st, via thekilnmusic.com.

The Kiln’s debut album is expected in 2027.