Unruly Naarm / Melbourne rockers Fan Girl are excited to today reveal their anticipated EP real or staged to the world via AWAL Recordings! To celebrate, the band have dropped an accompanying tour diary-esque video for entrancing track “mid century”, which follows the energetic four-piece on the road as they play some of their biggest and best shows in preparation for the EP’s release.
“The last couple months have been the most incredible shows we have ever had. All around the country, with friends old and new, alongside some of the best bands this country has to offer. An absolute honour. This video is just a little slice of that, and everything in between. Join us on the road for 3 and a half minutes, and see you at a show soon.” say Fan Girl.
Lyrically, “mid century” is inspired by the idea that sometimes the only way to save the things that you love, is to burn them to the ground and see what grows from the ashes. In true Fan Girl form, the track features a hypnotic bass and drum combo cycling around a world of wiry guitars, floating synths and bombastic vocals.
“‘mid century’ was a slow burn, a song that evolved from a shitty iPhone voice memo drum loop, into a live staple, before eventually becoming the final puzzle piece that completed the EP. The brief was: dumb, explosive, yet cleverly considered. Over the top chaotic energy balanced with an understated steady groove. Something comfortable, familiar, and lived in, yet modern. Something Mid Century.” the band say.
“The song then began its intergalactic voyage to Oli Barton-Wood (Nilüfer Yanya, Shame, Do Nothing) in London, where he applied his astounding mixing abilities and general good taste, before being flown across town to Felix Davis (Porridge Radio, Folly Group, The Murder Capital) who mastered it flawlessly with his bare hands, all to bring it to you here today.”
The anticipated EP features five of the band’s favourite tracks that truly encapsulate the chaos that is Fan Girl. From the unsettling catchiness of most recent single,“eleveneleven”, the addictive energy of “little pig” and the sinister twists of “the last one”, real or staged showcases the innovation of Fan Girl and marks an exciting new chapter in the band’s career.
The EP is completed by a hypnotic mood piece, “away”, a song that takes the listener through a ruminating, numbing and contemplative aching, before spitting into a panic attack. “It’s a song about longing, depersonalisation, climate change and the fourth most livable city in the world.” say Fan Girl.
“‘away’ has existed in many forms over its lifetime. There was, at one stage, thirteen different versions of the song, all sitting very uncomfortably in a crowded Dropbox folder – all very different in their instrumentation, mood and feel.” Ultimately, the song eventually arrived as a stripped-back, sombre piece that is simultaneously a complete departure from the band, whilst unequivocally being one of the most accurate distillations of everything that makes Fan Girl who they are. It’s a breather, providing some much-needed clarity in the eye of the rest of the EP’s chaos.
Fan Girl will be performing the EP in full at The Gasometer in Melbourne on Friday 20 September. Tickets are available now via fangirl.com.au. That’s before they head over to the UK and Europe where they’ll be taking over London’s Shacklewell Arms for a free show on Tuesday 22 October, with further tour dates incoming! Keep an eye on the band’s websites and socials for more live news.
real or staged by Fan Girl is out now.
Brandishing an unruly sound audible to the ends of the earth, Naarm/Melbourne outfit Fan Girl unravel in an eclectic mix of intensity, colour, chaos and catchiness. After the tragic passing of founding member Jack Wood, a total re-evaluation of their place in music and a pandemic, Fan Girl is back with a wealth of exhilarating new music, coupled with their urgent, explosive live shows and an ever-growing appreciation for each other, life and obnoxious guitar music.
Fan Girl have garnered widespread acclaim both domestically and internationally, receiving praise from the likes of BBC Radio 1, KEXP FM, Radio X, triple j, DIY MAG, Rolling Stone, Pilerats, The Music, Clash and more. Fan Girl have earned an impressive array of support shows from the likes of Catfish & The Bottlemen, Ecca Vandal, Angie McMahon and The Vines among others.
They released their new EP real or staged on Thursday 5 September 2024 via AWAL Recordings.