Despite COVID-19, Hoodoo Gurus have had a busy year and they have one last single up their sleeves before 2021 is done – Carry On – released on all streaming services, online music retailers and vinyl (yes, a 7” vinyl single!!!) today. Carry On was written just before COVID-19 came over the horizon but the song’s theme of pushing forward through difficulties became even more resonant during the long lockdowns. Carry On is an anthem celebrating resilience and tenacity. Damn the torpedoes!
The band have also created a confronting, emotionally-charged video for the song, paying tribute to frontline medical workers. At times we forget that the superhuman work these people do on our behalf can come at a great personal price. Chris Herd, the director of the video for Carry On, cast actual nurses in the leading roles for the clip, grounding the drama in a sense of lived reality. This is also the first Hoodoo Gurus video in which the band itself doesn’t appear, though lead singer Dave Faulkner has a cameo in a minor supporting role.
About the song itself, Dave Faulkner, explains, “Carry On wasn’t written about the pandemic but the song has certainly been useful in helping me get through it: just remember to keep your head down and do your best. That’s a philosophy that we in the Hoodoo Gurus have always lived by.
“As for the video, I have a sister-in-law who is a career nurse as well as a nephew and niece who are following in her footsteps – one a nurse, the other a paramedic – and I have always marveled at their ability to handle the terrible stress of working in such a demanding environment. But they do, turning up to work each day with optimism despite the terrors they face. It is the spirit of people like them that I wanted to honour in my song and the video that goes with it.”Click here or above to view the Carry On video
As a special treat, the Gurus’ are releasing Carry On as a limited edition vinyl single and it includes a special bonus “B” side, When The Weekend Comes, which is the final studio recording ever to be released featuring their previous drummer, Mark Kingsmill. Recorded during the sessions for the band’s Mach Schau album, When The Weekend Comes is a real gem, making one wonder how it took so long to see the light of day!
As well as the 7” vinyl, there’s a brand new T-shirt and “Carry On” tote bag bundles available to order as well (carry / tote bag – geddit?!) available to order from here – the perfect Christmas stocking stuffer for that Gurus’ fan in your life.
All systems are go for the band’s rescheduled 40th Anniversary Tour with The Dandy Warhols around Australia in April 2022, presented by Frontier Touring. Show openers on the 40th Anniversary Tour have been announced today and opening proceedings in Sydney will be The Buoys, Even in Adelaide and Melbourne and Rinehearts in Perth.
Hoodoo Gurus are also appearing on the postponed Red Hot Summer dates with Jimmy Barnes, Jon Stevens, Diesel and Chris Cheney commencing in January 2022.
Carry On is out today on all streaming services and 7” vinyl today on Big Time Records through EMI Music.
Presented by Frontier Touring and Triple M
Tickets on sale now from frontiertouring.com/hoodoogurus
Sat, 2 April 2022 – Belvoir Amphitheatre, Perth WA
Tues, 5 April 2022 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre, Adelaide SA
Wed, 6 April 2022 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne VIC
Sat, 9 April 2022 – Hobart City Hall, Hobart TAS
Tues, 12 April 2022 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney NSW (SOLD OUT)
Wed, 13 April 2022 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney NSW
Thur, 14 April 2022 – Riverstage, Brisbane QLD
Saturday, 7 May 2022 – Sounds of Rock Festival
Bundaberg Recreational Precinct, Bundaberg QLD
Hoodoo Gurus are also appearing on the Red Hot Summer Tour
Tickets on sale now from Ticketmaster