Shooless: A Track By Track Rundown of Their New EP

Shooless are here! With their first self-titled EP just released (link below) Shooless sit down for a track-by-track rundown thanks to Floyd Lee.

Like magnets attracting from the far corners of Aotearoa, Shooless collide in an abandoned shipping container set in the industrial edges of Avondale. Using this as a rehearsal space to concoct a unique sonic brew, the band smelts influences from the collective unconscious into alchemical audio weaponry.

The essence and echoes of PJ Harvey, Jeff Buckley and Tool are boiled in the voodoo of King Krule. Guy Yarrell, (singer/songwriter/guitarist) belongs in the obsessive cannon of Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, Kurt Vile and Beck ritualistically tinkering loop pedals and churning out channelled riffs.

These psychedelic rough funk diamonds are then sculpted into elegant existence by Will Abraham, (bassist) Jordan Neal on drums and lead guitarist, Locky Buchanon.

Different genre swords from jazz fusion and trip hop cut the ephemeral idea into perfected audio cathedrals. From within these dreamscape pillars, Freya Pinkerton (singer, lyricist & poetic heir to Mazzy Starr), revives the flickered flames of Janis Joplin, Joan of Arc, Patti Smith & Queen Boadicea. Her angelic vocals awaken the apathetic age by breaking mind-forged manacles with Celtic pagan cries and gnostic mystic song. Lyrically grounded in kitchen sink scarfies, kiwi observation and juxtaposed by poetic Yeatsian evocations this band is a boil up, a collective collage of far-reaching elements now united.

With their first self-titled EP just released (link below) Shooless sit down for a track-by-track rundown.

1. Journey to Nazareth – Our first song we wrote together, Journey does not ask for forgiveness. Instead, it blames you for caring. In a world where human desires, urges and animalistic behaviours are maintained by surveillance, religion and social baiting – we ask you. Can anything come out of Nazareth? Maybe baby Jesus, but what the fuck is he up to?) Taunting bass lines, tight breakbeats, and preternatural vocals guide you down the ancient path, as you’re teased and tempted by suggestive guitar melodies into the dark, waiting for you beyond.

2. Butter – Our ooey gooey buttery love song. The sticky parts of lying next to someone, realizing it’s never going to work because they like the lazy goop of butter in the middle of the toast and you like it perfectly all the way to the edge of the crust. The swing beat and jazzy chord harmonies will melt you into a pool of pleasure, even before you arrive at the creamy guitar solo.

3. Skink Brain – Skink brain is like an adverse reaction to working the same routine. Specifically derived from the hospitality experience, especially amongst the rich and murderous. ‘At one stage I was being paid minimum wage to serve a man who was on trial for murdering his wife in their mansion. He would just lick cookie crumbs off his mouth and stare into my soul.’ The menacing riff pulls you into a trance, anchored by the flowing rhythm section and while discordant guitar chords ring out like chimes. Vocals dance around you, inviting both glimpses of clarity and glimmers of hope.

4. Fairy Kisses: A fairy kiss (also known as a butterfly kiss), is the action of kissing someone by blinking your eyelash to their cheek. Fairy Kisses is a sparkly older sister lullaby to a younger self. Sweet major 7ths and a warm low-end create the soft blanket to envelope this gorgeous tune.

5. Slippery When Wet – I think we would like to make it clear this song is not an ode to Bon Jovi’s 1986 album. Instead, it’s about slipping through life while the world crumbles around you. The state of mind most of us have adopted to avoid the ongoing doomscroll into madness pipeline. True kiwi-garage rock, this song is punchy, anthemic, and descends to chaos all in the same breath.

This is a band that when you experience it, you will want to declare that “I was there”. With upcoming gigs and new releases, you can be “there” right from the beginning. Check ‘em out via links below and if there’s a show, Go!

Shooless – EP Release Party

 

Spotify EP Link https://found.ee/Shooless?fbclid=IwAR21TzGusKYYEKQsaQGuy5WSzNe_f2ldG2Zrtq0_Sbo1ngCPePDgikhd_qc

Instagram Link https://www.instagram.com/shooless_band/?hl=en&fbclid=IwAR3kS43MeuWCE_RgFU4LaxHboG2y_jsePxCFiHJR74mqWwHwHNBiYvsC1ps

Facebook Link https://www.facebook.com/shoolessband