ESKIMO JOE SHARE DRIVING NEW SINGLE THE FIRST TIME
A buoyant yet bittersweet ode to nostalgia, Australian alternative rock icons Eskimo Joe return today armed with The First Time; the band’s first new music since 2021’s 99 Ways. Set to appear at Lookout Festival alongside Live and Incubus before embarking on their National Acoustic Theatre Tour starting this April, The First Time feels familiar yet fresh, with Eskimo Joe capturing the essence of their stadium rock-ready triumph, 2008’s Black Fingernails, Red Wine, alongside some sharp 2024 vigour.
Drawing inspiration from long-time Eskimo Joe creative influences as well as the band’s unshakeable bond, the core of The First Time also evolved following a stacked 2023, with multiple festival appearances sparking the trio to harness the energy of a giant crowd setting into their 2024-penned new track. “We really look up to bands like the Rolling Stones and U2 – those guys who keep touring and creating music over and over again,”shares bass player and vocalist Kav Temperley. “It makes us proud of our musical journey and the people who have taken our songs into their lives. Eskimo Joe is still the three core members. It just wouldn’t be the Eskies without the three of us in a studio or on stage making music together – our friendship is as much a part of the band as the music itself. After an amazing 2023 of playing some huge festivals, there’s this indescribable energy when a massive crowd is singing your songs back at you. We wanted to capture that energy and infuse it into our recording. So, in the first week of January this year, over five days we wrote and recorded The First Time at my studio in Fremantle.”
Opening with Temperley musing “I found myself looking for you, I wonder if you’re looking for me” over glimmering instrumentation and a driving beat, The First Time simultaneously tugs at your heartstrings while charming with creamy melodics and soaring choruses. An undeniable instant Eskimo Joe classic, The First Time ultimately delves into upbeat sentimentality, as Temperley elaborates, “We wanted to write something that set out to encapsulate the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia, that looks back through rose coloured glasses conveniently forgetting the heartache and sleepless nights that came with a certain place and time in our lives. It’s easy in the loneliest moments to look back and take comfort in those memories secretly holding onto that feeling like an addict. The song is also a realisation that holding onto the past might also be holding you back from the present. The subject is nostalgic but so is the sound of this song, it sounds like it could have sat perfectly on the Black Fingernails album.”
Lead guitarist Stu MacLeod says, “You put so much energy into each song, you build it up, tear it down, build it back up again until it matches the band’s vision. I love the energy in this song and the sentiment, and I’m stoked that we get to release it out into the world.” Drummer and guitarist Joel Quartermain adds, “Once it’s out in the world, a song truly exists. Hopefully people connect with it.”
The accompanying music video beautifully documents Eskimo Joe’s many years as a band, with nostalgic footage of their many achievements over the years.
Forming in 1997, Eskimo Joe would go on to become one of Australia’s most enduring acts, with six studio albums and ongoing commercial success in their wake, including 2004’s A Song Is A City and 2006’s Black Fingernails, Red Wine reaching Platinum status, and the latter dominating the ARIA Top 50 Chart for 62 weeks. The Eskimo Joe journey from Fremantle indie rock darlings to an international success story has also seen the band’s impact expand well beyond the studio, with ongoing chart success, 35 ARIA nominations and eight wins, two APRA Awards, countless appearances at major festivals and events across the globe, and frequent appearances in triple j’s Hottest 100 countdown, including their single Black Fingernails, Red Wine taking out the #2 spot in the Hottest 100 of 2006. With performances spanning Sound Relief, Live Earth, at the Sundance Film Festival or, closer to home, at Big Day Out, Splendour In The Grass and, most recently, Good Things Festival, Eskimo Joe’s craftsmanship is only amplified by their swaggering live prowess; and it’s this very fact that inspired the band’s newest sonic output while also firmly showcasing Eskimo Joe’s ever-present vitality in the music scene decades into their career.
“It feels great releasing some new music with Eskimo Joe,” Temperley says. “We had such an amazing year last year, playing all different kinds of shows, and ending the year with Good Things Festival that saw us playing in front of crowds of 30,000. We left 2023 feeling so connected with our audiences that we felt that now is the right time to write a new tune.”
“Kicking off in April, we take to the road for the Lookout Festival, unveiling our new single with icons like Incubus and Live,” Temperley concludes.Straight off the back of the festival – April through August, we embark on a 22-show acoustic journey across Australia. This tour allows us to present our music in a more intimate setting, strengthening our connection with our audience. Each performance is crafted to deepen the musical experience, blending the high energy of festival shows with the personal touch of our acoustic sessions.”
The First Time is out today.
ESKIMO JOE – UPCOMING SHOWS
SAT 06 APR | LOOKOUT FESTIVAL, SANDSTONE POINT, QLD | 18+
Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.com.au I All Ticketmaster outlets
SUN 07 APR | LOOKOUT FESTIVAL, SOUTHPORT, QLD | 18+
Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.com.au I All Ticketmaster outlets
SAT 13 APR | LOOKOUT FESTIVAL, MORNINGTON VIC | 18+
Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.com.au I All Ticketmaster outlets
SAT 20 APR | LOOKOUT FESTIVAL, WHITFORDS WA | 18+
Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.com.au I All Ticketmaster outlets
SAT 27 APR | CIVIC HALL, BALLARAT VIC
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours | Via Box Office 03 5333 5888
SUN 28 APR | WYNDHAM CULTURAL CENTRE, WERRIBEE VIC
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours | Via Box Office (03) 8734 6000
SAT 25 MAY | CASULA POWERHOUSE, LIVERPOOL NSW
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours | Via Box Office 02 8711 7123
SUN 26 MAY | THE CONCOURSE LOUNGE, WILLOUGHBY NSW
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours | Via Box Office 02 8075 8111
FRI 31 MAY | LOGAN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, LOGAN QLD
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours
SAT 1 JUN | PROSERPINE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, PROSERPINE QLD
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours | Via Box Office(07) 4945 0405
FRI 21 JUN | RED EARTH ARTS PRECINCT, KARRATHA WA
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours (no contact on venue)
SAT 22 JUN | CARNARVON CIVIC CENTRE, CARNARVON WA
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours
FRI 28 JUN | ALBANY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, ALBANY WA
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours | Via Box Office (08) 6212 9292
SUN 30 JUN | ESPERANCE CIVIC CENTRE, ESPERANCE WA
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours
FRI 5 JUL | THE WEDGE, SALE VIC
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours | Via Box Office 03 5143 3200
SAT 6 JUL | KINGSTON CITY HALL, MOORABBIN VIC
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours | Via Box Office (03) 9556 4440.
SUN 7 JUL | QUEANBEYAN PAC, QUEANBEYAN NSW | ALL AGES
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours | Via Box Office (02) 6285 6290
TUE 9 JUL | HORSHAM TOWN HALL THEATRE, HORSHAM VIC
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours | Via Box Office 03 5382 9555
FRI 12 JUL | SWAN HILL TOWN HALL PACC, SWAN HILL VIC
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours
SAT 13 JUL | THE ART HOUSE, WYONG NSW
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours | Via Box Office 02 4335 1485
FRI 26 JUL | MOUNT ISA CIVIC CENTRE, MOUNT ISA QLD
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours
SUN 28 JUL | ROCKHAMPTON RIVER FESTIVAL, ROCKHAMPTON QLD | ALL AGES
Tickets available from www.eskimojoe.net/tours
HERE COMES THE SUN ANNOUNCES VIC INSTALMENT FOR 2024, ALONGSIDE FLAGSHIP WA FESTIVAL FEAT. OCEAN ALLEY, BALL PARK MUSIC, RUBY FIELDS, JACK BOTTS, SOUTH SUMMIT, CLEWS & MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED, SET TO RIDE IN TO TORQUAY MARCH 30 & MARGARET RIVER APRIL 13
WA’s beloved Here Comes The Sun festival is receiving a major upgrade in 2024, with the inclusion of an east coast instalment set to delight Victorian music lovers in March. Additional to the festival’s flagship Margaret River 3 Oceans (WA) event on Saturday 13 April, the acclaimed festival will also swing through Torquay Common (VIC) on Saturday 30 March. The coastal festivals will see a haul of Aussie faves take to the stage, including Ocean Alley, Ball Park Music, Ruby Fields, Jack Botts, South Summit, and Clews, with more to be announced.
Tickets go on sale on Friday 8 December at 10am local time from www.hctsfest.com
Heading into its fifth year, Here Comes The Sun has become an institution in WA with seven successful events under its belt. The expansion into Torquay is massive, but not surprising, given the laid-back coastal vibe the festival is famous for. Fittingly, both dates will coincide with two of Australia’s most important surfing competitions: the World Surf League Margaret River Pro, and the Bells Pro in Torquay.
Here Comes The Sun is one of the leading events programmed by Macro Music – the team responsible for Out Of The Woods, Good Day Sunshine and Sugarloaf Rock, as well as over a decade of high profile artist management. Filling the need for a world-class event in the Margaret River region, Here Comes The Sun was born, delivering artists like Tame Impala, Amy Shark, Crooked Colours, ShockOne, and more to the south west.
There is no more fitting a headliner for Here Comes The Sun 2024 than Australia’s beloved psychedelic-surf-rockers, Ocean Alley. For the last decade they have sold out shows across Australia, North America, Europe, UK, and New Zealand – headlining to over 75,000 people globally in 2023 alone – including spots at Splendour In The Grass, Reading & Leeds (UK), and BottleRock (USA).
The winner of 2018’s Hottest 100 for their anthem Confidence (now certified quadruple-platinum), Ocean Alley released their fourth album Low Altitude Living last year, captivating audiences with their psychedelic beauty. Citing their love for the ocean as their biggest inspiration, there couldn’t be a more apt musical accompaniment to Australia’s best surfing competitions.
Melancholic masters, Ball Park Music are one of Australia’s most successful acts, producing six incredible albums in nine years (five of which debuted in the ARIA Top 10). Festival veterans, the beloved Brisbane five-piece have made sold-out appearances at Summer Sounds and Neck Of The Woods, as well as recently joining icon Paul Kelly’s Making Gravy concert series.
When Ruby Fields’ aptly-titled debut album Been Doin’ It For A Bit debuted at #1 on the ARIA Charts, it confirmed that Australia absolutely loves the silky-voiced singer-songwriter. Shortly after, the world followed suit. One of the most talented and emotionally-moving artists in the country, Ruby Fields switches from a haunting solo delivery to a cyclonic full-band attack in the blink of an eye.
The image of Jack Botts surfing at sunset is one of the most perfect depictions of his aura as a human. His debut album Sucker For Sunsets is a genre-bending masterpiece that delves deep into his soul, displaying personal lyrics that run the gamut from pain to elation. Laid-back and blissfully breezy, his music is summer incarnate; filled with the highs, lows and in-betweens of real life.
WA’s five-piece indie reggae band South Summit are the perfect soundtrack to summer on the coast. Melding the diverse sounds of Aboriginal, Māori and Western culture; South Summit have taken off since forming during lockdown – surpassing over two million streams, earning a nomination for Triple J Unearthed ‘Artist Of The Year’, and impressing crowds at Groovin The Moo, Falls, and Rolling Sets.
Clews are one of the most exciting new artists in Australia, fronted by the sibling power of Lily and Grace Richardson, whose love for ’90s anthems shows in their incredible songwriting and lush dual vocals. Amassing fans all over the globe, Clews are well on their way to becoming a festival staple, wielding grungy melodic power that sits somewhere between PJ Harvey and Warpaint.
TICKETS FOR HERE COME THE SUN FESTIVAL 2024 GO ON SALE ON FRIDAY 8 DECEMBER AT 10AM LOCAL TIME FROM WWW.HCTSFEST.COM
HERE COMES THE SUN FESTIVAL
SATURDAY 30 MARCH | TORQUAY COMMON | TORQUAY, VIC
SATURDAY 13 APRIL | 3 OCEANS WINERY | MARGARET RIVER, WA
BOY & BEAR SHARE TRANQUIL INTERPRETATION OF FEEL BY ROBBIE WILLIAMS
Adding their own dreamy spin to a 2002 classic, the brand new single Feel from Sydney’s Boy & Bear gifts a lush and brooding interpretation of the Robbie Williams original hit song. Fresh off the back of a massive regional run of shows, with over 26,000 tickets sold nationally, Boy & Bear’s latest rendition adds yet another stellar sonic reworking to their repertoire, joining their beloved 2010 cover Fall at Your Feet and 2020’s Wicked Game.
Originally conceived during recording sessions for their latest full length album, the band’s 2023 self-titled fifth studio release, Boy & Bear’s take on Feel, a track originally made famous by British singer-songwriter Robbie Williams melts with languid ambience, woozy keys and the trademark undulating Boy & Bear sunny serenity flowing throughout. And with the recent Netflix docuseries Robbie Williams detailing the prolific popstar’s career ultimately inspiring the group to master and release their interpretation, the end result of Feel itself feels like an unearthed treasure. “When recording new tunes for our latest record and exploring songs for triple j’s Like A Version, we recorded an arrangement of Feel by Robbie Williams,” the band shares. “The song itself, when stripped back to the chords, melody and lyrics is quite sad and haunting, which is unusual for a massive pop song. We really connected with that vibe and leant into that on our version. At the time we recorded it, we didn’t have any plans for it, but then with the recent release of the doco on Robbie we thought it might be cool to put it out into the world rather than leave it gathering digital dust in the “old recordings” folder of our band hard drive. Hope you enjoy.”
Since forming in 2009, Boy & Bear have persistently woven their own unique brand of musical magic, captivating fans across the globe with their sun-soaked and stirring brand of indie rock. A band hellbent on innovation, Boy & Bear have attained a level of staying power most artists could only dream of; and all without sacrificing their authentic vision and driving love for their craft. Achieving early career support from triple j and triple j Unearthed, Boy & Bear swiftly catapulted onto the national stage, releasing their double-platinum debut album Moonfire in 2011, which went on to snag five coveted ARIA award wins. Since then, 2013’s Harlequin Dream and 2015’s Limit Of Love only strengthened the band’s luminous presence, with both albums charting at #1, and Harlequin Dream also marking the group’s second studio album to go Platinum. Also via 2019’s Suck on Light and 2023’s self-titled full length, Boy & Bear have continued to grow and strengthen professionally amidst the ever-changing musical climate – and 2023 continued the dazzling Boy & Bear legacy further again with the recent release of their Lost Dreams EP, comprising found songs from their Harlequin Dream studio time.
Capable of breaking and/or mending hearts with their ever-growing sonic output, Boy & Bear’s creative pathway has also led to them releasing two acclaimed cover songs previously, with their version of Fall at Your Feet recorded for the Tim and Neil Finn tribute album He Will Have His Way now 3x platinum, exceeding 40 million individual streams on Spotify, while the group’s 2020 cover of Chris Isaak’s steamy ballad Wicked Game has generated over 21 million streams and was certified Gold this year. Also having performed across the globe, including multiple world tours and appearances at the likes of Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Splendour in the Grass, Boy & Bear are equally capable of enamouring onstage to sold out crowds at the Sydney Opera House as they are performing on Conan O’Brien or to a hometown crowd. And their largely sold out recent regional Australian tour showcased the rare magic beating at the Boy & Bear core, with some unforgettable moments forged alongside fans across the country. “To every single person who came to one of Aus or NZ album tour headline shows (more than 26,000 of you!) we can’t thank you enough for your ongoing support and love,” the band shares.
“These shows were truly very special to us, particularly after such a challenging few years and making the decision to go fully independent. It felt amazing to get back to so many places we haven’t been for a long time and to share our new music with you. The vibe at these shows was awesome. Special mention and shout out to all the amazing artists that joined us on this tour, to our incredible crew, our team, loving partners and families for helping make it all possible.”
“We’ve got some really exciting plans in the works for 2024 which we look forward to sharing with you soon,” Boy & Bear conclude. “We hope you’re going to be as excited about them as we are.”
Feel is out now.