Oh Mercy have been swiftly prepping the follow-up to their sophomore, Great Barrier Grief, which was only released in March of last year and already they’ve got their third album locked and loaded to drop this August.
This morning, triple j hosted Oh Mercy linchpin, Alexander Gow, who gave the first taste of LP3 Deep Heat (one of our most anticipated albums of the second half of 2012) in the form of lead single “Drums”, signalling a brave new musical direction for the band, with a bucket-load of swagger and sweaty groove (along with a salacious dose of cowbell).
Speaking to triple j about the upcoming record, Gow described how popular songs of the 70s and 80s were the inspiration for its grimy new sound. As well as the influence of his own late-night playlists, “I’m the guy at the house party with the iPod” says Gow, “so it’s no surprise that the album sounds like it’s coming from that direction.”
Deep Heat has already been turning heads with its colourful front cover, picturing a Rio-styled dancer and her entourage winding their way across a parade; and Gow explains that the album’s musical contents are similarly intentioned to get people out on the dancefloor. “I just love seeing people respond with their bodies to music,” explains Gow, “I care about words as well so when I’m playing those kind of songs sometimes I wish they had tried a little harder with the words. Why can’t you have this really groovy music and care?”
Along with releasing “Drums”, Oh Mercy have also announced a full-scale national tour following Deep Heat‘s arrival in August. Taking in an extensive schedule across capital cities as well as regional and rural centres. Full dates and details are also available from the band’s webstite.
Have a listen to the sweaty, swaggering “Drums” while you peruse the tour itinerary below
OH MERCY DEEP HEAT TOUR // AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2012 DATES
Friday 21st September – The Zoo, Brisbane QLD
Saturday 22nd September – Joe’s Waterhole, Sunshine Coast QLD
Wednesday 26th September – Heritage Hotel, Wollongong VIC
Thursday 27th September – Cambridge, Newcastle NSW
Friday 28th September – ANU Bar, Canberra ACT
Saturday 29th September – The Standar, Sydney NSW
Sunday 30th September – Clarendon Hotel, Katoomba NSW
Thursday 4th October, Settlers Tavern, Margaret River WA
Friday 5th October – Norfolk Hotel, Fremantle WA
Saturday 6th October – Bakery Artrage, Perth WA
Thursday 11th October – The Gov, Adelaide SA
Saturday 13th October – Karova Lounge, Ballarat VIC
Thursday 18th October – Republic Hotel, Hobart TAS
Friday 19th October – Bended Elbow, Geelong VIC
Thursday 25th October – The Hi Fi, Melbourne VIC
Saturday 27th October – Railway Club, Darwin NT
