AMISTAT ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE + VIDEO THE COWARD
Off the back of a sold-out European tour earlier this year, Amistat, otherwise known as brothers Jan and Josef Prasil, have announced their new single The Coward – an anthem for those who are having difficulty living as their authentic selves, set for release on November 10. This effecting yet understated tune has been perfectly reflected in the song’s stunning video, directed by Kathleen Mary Lee (LANKS, BATTS, Canary).
The Coward might first evoke thoughts of Ben Howard or The Tallest Man On Earth, but there’s a sensual quality here that cannot be compared to anyone. Patient, authentic and stirring, The Coward lays it all on the line with careful exhilaration. Soaring harmonies prevail, delivered with a synchronization only twins like the Amistat brothers can achieve, and the chorus propels itself forward with tenacious acoustic guitar and driving percussion. Speaking of the inspiration and depth behind the track, Josef says, “The Coward is about knowing who you are deep inside but not being able to let it out. People are very fast with making assumptions and judging you based on what you look like but little do they know about what’s inside of the person.”
And the clip encompasses so much in such a simple yet effective format. The viewer watches one man struggle with his sense of identity and purpose, as a pivotal moment in his life plays itself out backwards. The grey, stormy palette, the storyline that is left to the audience to interpret – it all lends itself to a melancholy, important reflection of the theme of this track. Josef enthuses, “Jan and I love the concept of ‘one-shot’ videos, where the whole film clip you see is done in a single take…It’s impossible really, trying to get it in one take but we always like a challenge! We started with that concept about two years ago and decided to keep it as sort of a trademark of the band. For this clip, we came up with a vision of a soldier who is being denied going to battle, even though he wanted to defend his loved ones, and show his courage and commitment.”
Born and raised in Germany, the Prasil twins made the move to the set up home on the other side of the world in 2012. “We decided to come to Australia as our father is Australian and we had heard amazing things about this beautiful country,” says Josef. “When we arrived we were struggling to find work so we picked up some musical instruments and started busking to survive! Jan really took to the guitar while I sung along. We realised pretty quickly that we had a unique sound and people wanted to listen to us back home and that is how Amistat was formed.”
Amistat will be hitting the road again in December to celebrate the release of The Coward, kicking off in their adopted hometown of Melbourne before swinging on through Newcastle, Canberra, Sydney, Byron Bay, Brisbane and fittingly finishing up at Woodford Folk Festival to see the year out.
Amistat is Jan (guitar) and Josef Prasil (vocals), joined on the road by Julian Swinnerton (cello) and Ryan Oliver (piano and percussion)
The Coward is set for release on November 10
AMISTAT – UPCOMING SHOWS
SAT 2 DEC | CHAPEL OFF CHAPEL MELBOURNE VIC | 18+
WED 6 DEC | LASS O’GOWRIE NEWCASTLE NSW | 18+
THU 7 DEC | FRONT GALLERY CANBERRA ACT | 18+
SAT 9 DEC | RECORD CRATE SYDNEY NSW | 18+
THU 14 DEC | BEACH HOTEL BYRON BAY NSW | 18+
FRI 15 DEC | MILK FACTORY BRISBANE QLD | 18+
WED 27 DEC – MON 1 JAN | WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL QLD | AA
ENERATE TO RELEASE ‘INTERACTIVE VISUAL ALBUM’ ALONGSIDE NEW SINGLE ‘TRANSIT LOUNGE’
In a first for Australia, and quite possibly the world, colourful Sydney indie video poppers Enerate, have today announced they will be releasing their anticipated debut full-length as an interactive visual album – an app containing interactive music videos for each and every song. Titled Good Times Airlines and featuring recent single Half Asleep, the interactive album will be available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play. The music will be available on all the usual platforms, but there is no doubt the most immersive and exciting way to consume this album is through the Enerate app. Out on November 16, the album and app release coinsides with the release of their new single Transit Lounge.
Transit Lounge is the perfect name for this track; the most accurate title for the midway between moving on and dwelling on hard times. Everything feels softer here – synths aren’t razor sharp where they might normally be, and the percussion is driving, determined, but understated. Subtlety is key, and Enerate are masters of it. There’s a taste of synth-pop auteurs Ou Est Le Swimming Pool and Alpine, but the resounding effect of Transit Lounge is entirely unique. Speaking about the inspiration behind the track, singer and synth Therese Watson says, “It’s about the want and the willingness to go and do something new, but you know it kind of frightens you, you know that you’re a bit inhibited. But, you understand those feelings and you just kind of go for it anyway.”
The clip for Transit Lounge is appropriately transient. The viewer follows a young boy who begins his journey in a light-filled airport and continues through a number of different worlds; a city street, a prehistoric land, indetermined time and space. It’s simple, but meditative and effective. In the app, the viewer chooses where the boy explores – again, a modest touch, but one that works perfectly alongside the song. Describing the video, lead singer and producer Josh Graham reflects, “We see this young boy walk through an airport terminal, and this is his reality. While the viewer watches him, they can swipe left or right, and take him into different worlds. These are his dream worlds. It’s like we can see inside his daydream, imagining who and where he wants to be in his future. This ties into the ‘Be who/what you want to be, just go for it’ messaging of the song. The worlds get pretty surreal at some points too.”
Enerate’s debut album Good Times Airlines is an extremely considered release, absolutely soaked in fun and interactivity. The app and all the videos it encompasses were directed and masterminded by Josh Graham. Their previous single Half Asleep shines amongst Transit Lounge and the sparkling Unstoppable. Each song has a video, and each video has an integrated interactive feature, whether it be a game, or another way to personalise the content. As Josh explains, “Art is becoming more multidisciplinary, and music is becoming more visual. The album is as much video as it is music. This is not a marketing tool for the album – this is the album! We wanted to make a physical release, that you can touch, feel, effect.. that was multi sensory and completely digital… we tried to one-up Beyonce haha! She did a video album, so we thought ‘let’s do an interactive video album’!”
Enerate is made up of Josh Graham, Therese Watson, Matt Niciak and Ben Fitzpatrick.
New single Transit Lounge and debut LP and interactive Enerate App Good Times Airlines will be available on November 16.
MAMMAL ANNOUNCE CHRISTMAS SHOWS IN BRISBANE, SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE
After their blistering first performance in 8 years, MAMMAL has announced a string of shows in December, hoping to quench the awakened thirst for the band from old and new fans alike. MAMMAL is gearing up for a wild weekend of shows, kicking off in Brisbane on December 21 at The Zoo, moving through Sydney at the Factory Theatre on December 22 and wrapping up in Melbourne on December 23 at the iconic Corner Hotel.
MAMMAL’s triumphant return was legendary from the moment it was announced; selling out Melbourne’s massive Max Watts in less than 2 hours, and now that the reviews are in, punters will know for sure what an enormous ride they’re in for.
Thrilled to be back on the road, lead vocalist Ezekiel Ox enthuses, “Last Friday night in Melbourne was a reminder to the world that rock and roll thrives on ideas, energy and a healthy dose of showbiz, not click-tracks, drum edits and auto-tune. The MML reunion part is officially over, we’re getting on with the job for the fans now, new show, new music, new momentum. Keep your ears pricked and your eyes open, Mammal is back and fucking dangerous.”
Judging from the fan response to the first reunion, tickets to MAMMAL’s December run will not last long – this is a tour not to be missed. Three shows only.
Mammal is Ezekiel Ox (vocals), Pete Williamson (guitar), Nick Adams (bass) and Zane Rosanoski (drums).
TICKETING INFORMATION
MML newsletter pre-sale from 9am Thursday 9 November. Subscribe via https://www.mammalband.com
General public on sale commences from 9am Thursday 16 November
“Mammal are back, and judging by their set this night, it’s like they’ve never gone away. They slot back into their nuclear-strength groove… the fire that ignites this band is burning as strong as ever. It’s just a case of the pilot-light having gone out, and it needed to be re-lit. And it has, and we the fans are the ecstatic beneficiaries of its warmth.” – TheMusic.com.au
MAMMAL CHRISTMAS 2017 SHOWS
THURS 21 DEC | THE ZOO, BRISBANE | 18+
FRI 22 DEC | FACTORY THEATRE, SYDNEY | 18+
SAT 23 DEC | CORNER HOTEL, MELBOURNE | 18+
PRESALE: 9am Thursday 9 November
PUBLIC ON SALE: 9am Thursday 16 November
Tickets, official links & info via: https://www.mammalband.com/, direct from venues & https://newworldartists.net