“…Calming, dreamy and clears your cluttered mind.” – Declan Byrne, triple j
“…Heavenly vocal harmonies with spacious guitars and swelling atmospherics to create an intoxicating, spellbinding listen.”
– Purple Sneakers
“…Something truly special.” – Atwood Magazine
“…Full of beauty and soft dreaming moments. Truly gorgeous.” – Claire Mooney, triple j
Brisbane/Meanjin dream-pop duo Sunbather returns with a new single, Holiday. Recorded by Aidan Hogg (Jaguar Jonze, Holy Holy) the new song showcases the band’s knack for introspective indie rock with shoegaze-inspired overtones.
Holiday was written in parts, starting with an ambient demo which Mike then used to layer guitars. The chorus was inspired by landscape painter Aert van der Neer, who specialized in small night scenes lit only by moonlight and fires – Sally singing, “I saw the moonlight landscape.” This influence and inspiration for the song fits perfectly with the feelings it evokes: like you’re experiencing a painted world, filled with shimmering sounds and ethereal vocals. The mystery in the sound and vocals also point to the human experience of how the stories we tell ourselves shape who we are.
Following their previous single, Out of Context, which saw the band continue to push their self-reflective brand of enthralling indie-pop, Holiday demonstrates the Sunbather’s ability to pull you into their world of lush vocal soundscapes, washed-out guitars and melodic reverberation. Whilst the shoegaze influence is clear, reminiscent of Alvvays and Beach House, the band take the genre to a new place with driving drums (done by Good Boys’ Stu McKenzie) and an energy that keeps you hooked ‘til the end.
Formed in a sharehouse in 2018, Sunbather has been on an upward rise. Their debut EP, ‘Brown Bread’, released in 2020 received national radio play across triple j and Triple J Unearthed, as well as community stations 4ZZZ, FBi and 2RRR and praise from rage, Atwood Magazine, Purple Sneakers and NME.
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With thanks to Aanthologies