Moody, scuzzy Melbourne synth-punks City Calm Down will tour nationally in October, headlining all the mainland state capitals for the first time in the weeks leading up to the release of their debut LP, In a Restless House, out November 6 via I OH YOU.
City Calm Down have also premiered album track ‘Wandering’ via Consequence of Sound. The accompanying video, shot by Melbourne short-film producer Timothy O’Keefe, is a murky, restrained contest between front-man Jack Bourke’s ponderous baritone and the earnestness of the Billy Elliot-like actor breathing every lyric as if he’d somehow confused himself to be at the World Karaoke Championships. Seasoned with ghostly pianos, droning synths and triumphant rhythms, it shows City Calm Down to be wandering down a path closer to their Melbourne compatriots Nantes than like-minded atmospheric Sydney rockers Gang of Youths.
Few bands in Australia have managed to sustain momentum and interest for as long as City Calm Down. Similarly to the presumably doomed-to-fail Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, it was half expected they must burn out after the breakout success of 2012’s Movements EP. Three years of intense song writing was revealed only by sporadic singles ‘Pavement’ and ‘Speak to No End’. However, after the positive reception of lead single ‘Rabbit Run’ and now ‘Wandering’, City Calm Down appears to have timed their run better than Black Caviar on Cup day, and this intern will not be surprised if they sell out most of their tour dates. Oh, and that’s before what is sure to be a tasty duo of rising Australian acts are announced as support.
In a Restless House looks set to expand on the themes of displacement, isolation and frustration that Movements and previous singles speak to. Lyrics such as “Like a rat in a cage/ I am easily satisfied you know/ so easily satisfied” (‘Wandering’) reveal a sense of unease with the world that can only be expressed with the aid of a synthesiser and a pulsing, pissed-off rhythm section. Tickets for City Calm Down’s October national tour went on sale Friday morning.
City Calm Down October 2015 National Tour
Support Acts TBA
Saturday, 3rd October
Howler
Melbourne, Vic
MOSHTIX.COM.AU
Friday, 9th October
Rocket Bar
Adelaide, SA
TICKETS.CRIPPENPLACE.COM
Saturday, 10th October
Jack Rabbit Slims
Perth, WA
Tickets available on the door
Friday 16th October
Newtown Social Club
Sydney, NSW
TICKETSCOUT.COM.AU
Fri 30 Oct
Black Bear Lodge
Brisbane, QLD
OZTIX.COM.AU
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