DEBUT ALBUM ‘JUMBO PETS’ OUT NOW.
More than a decade after they first began gracing Brisbane stages with their distinctive brand of dreamy indie-pop, four-piece Babaganouj are finally releasing their debut album Jumbo Pets, as well as unleashing striking new single ‘She Wears Velvet’.
Already preceded by well-received singles ‘What Planet Do You Come From’ and ‘Stay Up For Me’, Jumbo Pets itself is a brash and accomplished collection of finely-sculpted indie goodness, a captivating sonic adventure that veers between atmospheric dreamscapes, crunchy indie rock and bubblegum pop perfection with consummate ease.
When Babaganouj formed back in 2011 their catchy aesthetic galvanised quickly. Taking cues from the fertile field of ‘90s alt-rock and indie rock – as well as more recent indie-pop influences – the songs came quickly and were all given their own distinctive Babaganouj sheen.
During their initial six years together they released a string of well-received albums and EPs that scored strong radio traction and as well as playing regularly in Brisbane they toured hard around Australia (even finding time for a well-received foray to Japan).
Along the way they shared stages with international acts such as The Lemonheads, Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, Veruca Salt, The Wedding Present and The Coathangers as well as Aussie faves such as Smudge, Palms, The Preatures, Northeast Party House and countless more.
They were still riding the crest of a wave when they decided to take a break to focus on life matters for a while, but despite retreating from the public eye Babaganouj was still a going concern. Behind the scenes the four friends kept working away on new music, until the magnitude of their assembled body of work became undeniable and they began to lay down what would finally become their debut long-player, Jumbo Pets.
Dropping concurrently with the album, ‘She Wears Velvet’ features the distinctive vocals of the band’s founding bassist Harriette Pilbeam (aka Hatchie), intertwining with the voice of guitarist Charles Sale over a swirling soundscape of frenetic keys and guitar which builds from restrained foundations into a perfectly epic crescendo.
This defining statement by Babaganouj has been a while in the making but sometimes patience really is a virtue – prepare yourself for the age of Jumbo Pets!
Bio
Babaganoüj are an Australian indie rock band formed in 2011 in Brisbane by Charles Sale (guitar, vocals), Harriette Pillbeam (bass guitar, vocals), and Peter McDowell (drums). In 2011 after the dissolution of Sale’s former band Yves Klein Blue in 2010, Sale released under the band’s name an EP for free of old demos he recorded before the band was formed. In 2012, Jack Glesson joined the band as the new drummer, replacing McDowell. Following the release of their debut EP, Sife Lucks (2013), Ruby McGregor joined as the fourth member as the rhythm guitarist. Gleeson left the band in early 2016, and was replaced by Ritchie Daniell (Grates Drummer) on tour during 2016. Later that year, George Brownthing joined as the band’s new official drummer. The band released various standalone singles during 2012–2015 before releasing a trilogy of EPs: Pillar of Light (2016), Hard to Be (2016) and Clarity Restored (2017).
Charles Sale – guitar, vocals (2011–present)
Harriette Pillbeam – bass guitar, vocals (2011–present)
Ruby McGregor – guitar, vocals (2013–present)
George Brownthing – drums (2017–present)
Much-loved Brisbane Band Return With First New Song In Five Years – TheMusic.com.au
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