With his most riff-heavy single yet, Newcastle singer/songwriter Dane Tutty has returned with Happy – a barnstorming, infectious and emotionally dense single, released today.
Produced by Patrick Truscott (Chaichester) with mixing and mastering from Mitta Norath (introvert, Eat Your Heart Out, Columbus), Happy is one of Dane’s strongest cuts yet – filled to the brim with ear-worm melodies; raw, passionate vocals, and a dynamic instrumental backing. Sonically the track could be likened to the stylings of The Menzingers, The Gaslight Anthem or Spanish Love Songs.
Thematically, the singer-songwriter doesn’t want to give too much away – opting to let his listeners come to their own conclusions lyrically.
“As for what the song mean’s lyrically.. I really hate to talk about that stuff and what a song is about… I don’t thinks songs mean the same to any one person.. and I like that about them.. it’s maybe my favourite thing.. there is a lot of meaning there though… but I’d rather you paint your own picture with it”, Dane says.
Dane has been an integral part of the Newcastle punk and alternative scene for years now. Originally from Forster NSW, after relocating to Newcastle he quickly found himself playing bass and touring the country endlessly with his previous band Liberation Front, who were lucky enough to play shows with Anti Flag, The Flatliners and Guttermouth during their time.
Recently, Dane has been working hard on his solo career releasing 3 EPs; ‘Bend & Break’ (2021), ‘Swimming As A Metaphor’ (2022) and ‘If It All Burns Down’ (2024). The former was a collaborative effort with fellow Novocastrian Jen Buxton, which saw significant radio support from the likes of FBi, 2SER, 4ZZZ & more.
Dane has had plenty of experience on the stage recently – opening up numerous times for country-punks Amends, as well as Trophy Eyes frontman John Floreani. He also happens to run a popular tattoo studio (@Downundertatoo) that has inked the skin of just about every muso in the city.
Happy is the first from a larger body of work recently recorded by Dane set for release in 2025, with a string of shows yet to be announced.
