West Australian indie-rock favourites Great Gable have today announced that their third studio album ‘Small Fry’ will be released on Friday 11 October via Warner Music Australia.
The sun-soaked record features the recent singles Best Friend and Think Again Motherf*cker, as well as Fine Wine which they’ve unveiled today following a first play on triple j.
“Fine Wine is about perspective and optimism, and reflecting on different points in your life. It’s about taking a step back and appreciating change – of the people that are there, or aren’t anymore, and the effect that has on you. It’s meant to feel exciting and loose, like it could take off at any point, but still have some sort of storytelling style about it.” Guitarist Matt Preen says of the song.
The four-piece have also today announced a 2025 Australian headline tour which will see them hitting the road throughout March. Kicking off in Brisbane at The Brightside on Friday 7 March, they then head to Sunshine Coast at Solbar on Saturday 8 March, Sydney at Oxford Art Factory on Friday 14 March, Melbourne at The Corner Hotel on Saturday 15 March, before wrapping up in Perth at Rosemount Hotel on Friday 21 March.
‘Small Fry’ is a distinctly home state affair. Their first recording stint at home in Perth since 2018, and their first time at Blackbird Studios with Dave Parkin (Spacey Jane, Jebediah), lead singer Alex Whiteman, guitarist Matt Preen, bassist Christopher Bye, and drummer Madi Hanley have produced a record that shows the rest of the world what makes their home so special. Alex says, “A lot of the album reflects on my experiences growing up down south in WA, and those memories play a big part in the music. It’s a mix of emotions, a bit of nostalgia and sentimentality. I think that authenticity is what makes the album special for me.”
It’s that authenticity that shines through when listening to ‘Small Fry’, from the opening notes of Best Friend through to the last seconds of closing track Asleep. Following on from the 2023 EP ‘Read The Room’, Alex found himself writing the majority of ‘Small Fry’ at home on his own between touring. He then took the demos he’d created to the rest of the band, as well as Dave, and the resulting album captures the spirit of those initial recordings. Alex says, “[Dave] was really good at keeping the original vibes of the demos I had, while enhancing the overall sound quality.”
‘Small Fry’ is simultaneously a salve for many tender souls, while also being wholly appropriate as the backdrop to a rowdy pub session with loved ones. It’s Great Gable’s ability to write music for every occasion that has made them such a crowd favourite, and their range is explored like never before on this album.
The band’s schedule for 2024 has kept them booked and busy. Earlier this year, they wrapped up a massive 18-date debut headline tour of the UK & Europe, as well as a headline New Zealand tour. They are set to return to the UK & Europe in August & September, supporting Lime Cordiale. They’ve been busy testing songs from the new record throughout 2024’s live dates, with the new tracks proving to be highlights of their shows.
It’s been a steady and relentless rise for the Great Gable who began jamming together after meeting at university in Perth. Alex and Matt were childhood friends, drawn together with a mutual love of artists like Jack Johnson, Bon Iver, Noah And The Whale, and The Kooks. It didn’t take the four of them long to gain attention: early EPs like 2016’s ‘GG’, 2017’s ‘Modern Interactions’, and 2019’s ‘Lazy Bones Tapes’ brilliantly collided early 2000s NYC rock and UK indie, with a fair whack of Australian summer thrown in there for good measure.
By the time their debut album ‘Tracing Faces’ arrived in 2020, Great Gable had already amassed millions of streams. They went on to grace the stages of festivals like Groovin The Moo and Falls Festival, and notch up a stack of enviable support slots with the likes of The Jungle Giants, Thelma Plum, and Ocean Alley. In 2022, they released their sophomore record ‘On The Wall In The Morning Light’ which was spearheaded by the hugely successful singles such as Hazy, and the exhilarating Dancing Shoes. They then followed it up with 2023’s EP ‘Read The Room’. Featuring the singles So Cool and Pumpernickel, the bold collection of songs hinted at a live focus which was complemented by a sold out national tour run supporting Matt Corby as well as an extensive headline tour.
Fine Wine IS OUT NOW – LISTEN HERE
‘Small Fry’ will be released on October 11th via Warner Music Australia – PRE-ORDER HERE
GREAT GABLE 2025 AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Friday 7 March – The Brightside, Brisbane QLD
Saturday 8 March – Solbar, Sunshine Coast QLD
Friday 14 March – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney NSW
Saturday 15 March – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne VIC
Friday 21 March – Rosemount Hotel, Perth WA
With thanks to Warner Music Australia
