Blending ferocity and melancholy, Talk Heavy are Brisbane/Meanjin’s next big heart-on-sleeve export, delivering an emotionally charged mix of alternative rock, pop-punk, and emo on their newest single Die 4 U. The single pairs with news of the band’s signing to brand new Australian-based record label Ninth Life Records.
Talk Heavy are the first act to sign to Ninth Life, and release their first song of the year via the new label. The latest single, Die 4 U, was written in response to a falling out due to a miscommunication. “It’s about realising you’ve put so much effort into someone who isn’t giving the same effort back, hitting what feels like a point of no return, and finally accepting they might not care as much as you do,” tells the band. In true alignment with their influences, the track showcases the band’s ability to balance high-energy pop-punk with introspective lyricism. “We wanted to channel some of our all-time favourites like Blink-182, Motion City Soundtrack, and +44, while also pulling from recent favourites, like Cloud Nothings and Guided By Voices, especially in the guitar layers and melodic phrasing.”
The single is self-recorded and self-produced by vocalist and guitarist Matt Cochran, and mastered by the legendary Will Yip (Movements, Scowl, L.S. Dunes). The single is raw and real, highlighting a natural progression in their sound—bigger, tighter, yet still raw at its core. The single releases off the back of their national tour supporting Origami Angel (US) across Australia early April.
Formed in 2022, the band—Matt Cochran (Vocals/Guitar), Patrick Shipp (Guitar), Tayla Ellerby (Bass), and Beej Vaughan (Drums)—draw inspiration from punk, emo, indie, and alternative music, crafting songs that are as introspective as they are anthemic. Their debut single Hoping The Middle and EP ‘Jump Into Nothing’ were recorded at Matt’s home studio, Birthday Boy, establishing a sound that’s drawn comparisons to PUP, Cloud Nothings, Title Fight, Motion City Soundtrack, Violent Soho, and +44. Their first live show was at BIGSOUND 2022, and shortly afterwards they hit the road on a national tour with Press Club, and have since shared stages with Taking Back Sunday (USA), Tigers Jaw (USA), Beddy Rays, The Smith Street Band, Sly Withers and many more. They’ll launch their new single live at Black Bear Lodge in Brisbane on May 30.
Since their launch, the band have seen national airplay on triple j, triple j Unearthed and on community radio. They’ve been described by Music Feeds as: “a blend of fourth-wave emo and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater soundtrack music” and have featured at The Music, Mixdown Magazine, The Music Network, Blunt Magazine, Wall Of Sound, HEAVY Magazine and more, further cementing their place as ones to watch in the Australia alternative music scene.
Fuelled by a love for the DIY spirit of punk and hardcore, Ninth Life Records is a brand new Australian artist-run label dedicated to emo, punk, rock and grunge. Founded by Tayla Ellerby (Talk Heavy) and Joshua Merriel (Greyscale Records), the label aims to support emerging local and international artists by creating pathways to larger stages at home and around the world. With deep roots in both music and industry, Ninth Life exists to fill a gap in the Australian scene, and at its core, the mission is simple: sad punks helping sad punks.
DIE 4 U SINGLE LAUNCH
w/ KICKED-IN BICKIE TIN + TAKEOVER
Friday May 30 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
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With thanks to Bigmouth PR
