One of Australia’s most exciting post punk outfits RVG have just announced the impending release of their new album ‘Brain Worms’ due out on 2 June through Fire Records as well as their signing to Ivy League Records in Australia (home to Hatchie and Rolling Blackouts C.F.)
It’s been nearly three long years since the release of their last album ‘Feral’ – one of Backseat Mafia’s top albums for the year – and the band – lead by singer/songwriter Romy Vager – are giving us a taste of what’s to come with the release of the single ‘Nothing Really Changes’.
The band has developed a more muscular and sparse sound: ‘Nothing Really Changes’ features a driving insistent rhythm and Vager’s vocals, while higher in register, exude a powerful, sneering and combative attitude undercut by a vulnerability as she sings I don’t want to fight.
Vager says of the track:
(It) started off as a songwriting experiment to write something catchy with an obnoxious riff, a cross between Divinyls and ‘Smoke on the Water. It’s a song about missing someone but protecting yourself from being hurt.
What remains is a powerful track with RVG’s trademark sound that sits somewhere between the arch side of The Go-Betweens and the poise and attitude of Pulp.
The video, focusing on Vager, is muted in colour and deceptively simple in execution. Director Hayden Somerville at the Rippon Lea Estate says:
The words and music painted this haunted manor world in my head. A lifeless body represents a past relationship so nicely, while also acting as a fantastic listener for Romy. I think it’s all very therapeutic.”
Vager adds:
This new record has been about taking risks so I really put myself outside of my comfort zone to make it work. I’m really proud of what we’ve made, the video compliments the melodrama and playfulness of the track perfectly.
It is great indeed to see this band back in action:
RVG consists of Vager and bandmates Reuben Bloxham (guitar), Marc Nolte (drums), and Isabele Wallace (bass).
‘Brain Worm’ was recorded in London at Snap Studios with James Trevascus (Billy Nomates, Nick Cave & Warren Ellis, The Goon Sax) features the use of an acoustic guitar once owned by Kate Bush, given to her by Tears for Fears (who, legend has it, wrote “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” on it).
You can pre-order the album here and through the link below.
RVG will tour Australia later this month with Julia Jacklin before heading stateside for SXSW in March. Following SXSW, the band will join Billy Nomates in April across the UK – see details below.
2023 Live Dates
25 Feb: The Enmore Theatre, Sydney, Australia*
26 Feb: The Tivoli, Brisbane, Australia*
28 Feb: The Forum, Melbourne, Australia*
01 Mar: The Forum, Melbourne, Australia*
05 Mar: Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide, Australia*
10-19 Mar: SXSW, Austin, TX, US
17 Apr: Tramshed, Cardiff, UK**
19 Apr: Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, UK**
20 Apr: New Century Hall, Manchester, UK**
21 Apr: Stylus, Leeds, UK**
22 Apr: QMU, Glasgow, UK**
24 Apr: Boiler Shop, Newcastle, UK**
25 Apr: O2 Institute 1, Birmingham, UK**
27 Apr: O2 Forum Kentish Town, London, UK**
28 Apr: CHALK Live, Brighton, UK**
29 Apr: Marble Factory, Bristol, UK
*w/ Julia Jacklin
**w/ Billy Nomates
Feature Photograph: Izzie Austin
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