We could bang on for a hundred words or so about Darts' new single and how they just signed to ace Sydney label Rice is Nice. Lucky for us all the Melbourne five-piece sent us through this introductory video that does the same thing in 30 seconds.We asked Angus three questions to find out more.Noisey: Is westward bound in reference to Melbourne's western suburbs?
Angus Ayres: It's more a metaphor for heading in the wrong direction in a personal sense. The destination is worse than where you started.It makes me think that you're broke and low on gas. Has lack of money hindered the band in any way?
Like any band we don't have huge amounts of money, but like life in Jurassic Park, we find a way.What are the underlying themes to the upcoming album?
The main theme is about being down and out, and heading in the wrong direction. The most prevalent theme through the album is dealing with depression and the related feelings one experiences such as isolation, anger, frustration, and generally just feeling hopeless. Old western films also influence the imagery throughout the LP. Particularly the archetypal 'Man With No Name' films that also underline loneliness and redemption. We also just really dig old westerns.
"Westward Bound" (premiering below), is the first single from the band's upcoming LP, Below Empty and Westward Bound.Ally Campbell-Smith, Paige X Cho, Jessie Fernandez and brothers Angus and Andrew Ayers, had Joe Laporta (Yuck, Wavves) master this hazy homage to 90s garage (with a bit of modest mouse thrown in). A time that was all about the light and dark; heavy guitars and swamp-soft key work.
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Angus Ayres: It's more a metaphor for heading in the wrong direction in a personal sense. The destination is worse than where you started.It makes me think that you're broke and low on gas. Has lack of money hindered the band in any way?
Like any band we don't have huge amounts of money, but like life in Jurassic Park, we find a way.What are the underlying themes to the upcoming album?
The main theme is about being down and out, and heading in the wrong direction. The most prevalent theme through the album is dealing with depression and the related feelings one experiences such as isolation, anger, frustration, and generally just feeling hopeless. Old western films also influence the imagery throughout the LP. Particularly the archetypal 'Man With No Name' films that also underline loneliness and redemption. We also just really dig old westerns.
"Below Empty and Westward Bound" is out May 15 on Rice is Nice.Tom Hutchins is a Melbourne based writer. Read more of his writing at We Talk, You Die.