With a membership that reads like a who’s who of the Australian independent music scene, new group Marlophone exclusively share their debit single ‘I’m On Your Side’ with Backseat Mafia, and we are truly honoured.
Patrick Haid (Key Out) has joined forces with Saskia Clapton (The Great Emu War Casualties) and Nick Kennedy (it would almost be easier to name bands he hasn’t been involved with, but includes Big Heavy Stuff, Imperial Broads and Knieval) to form Marlophone. Debut single ‘I’m On Your Side’ has Haid’s melodic and atmospheric fingerprints all over it: a yearning and euphoric shimmering delight with a muscular fuzz running through it.
And if this wasn’t enough, the single (and forthcoming album) was produced by the legendary Wayne Connolly (producing credits include Josh Pyke, The Vines, Boy & Bear, Paul Dempsey, Youth Group, Underground Lovers, Died Pretty, Hoodoo Gurus and You Am I.)
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Haid, whose band Key Out has been a firm favourite here at the antipodean outpost of Backseat Mafia. Clapton has been prolific with The Great Emu War Casualties, another firm favourite here, and Kennedy is such a beating heart of the Australian indie music scene it would be on life support without him. The result is something greater than the formidable constituent parts.
Haid says of the new track:
‘I’m on Your Side’ is a dreamlike ode to devotion. It’s about standing beside someone discovering the world, and seeing everyday beauty in new ways. It was recorded live with Wayne Connolly, which helped capture its immediacy and movement – the power of the rhythm section, waves of guitar and feedback, and vocal harmonies providing moments of resolution. For us, this track sets the tone for Marlophone, music about imagination, connection, and finding something epic in ordinary moments.
There is indeed a little muscle and fuzz in the guitars underlying the delicate tendrils of the dreamy and soaring melodies, with the harmonies adding a filigree of gold. The accompanying video has all the gentleness and ambience reflected by the track, with its wistfulness and space themes. Stellar stuff indeed.
‘I’m On Your Side’ is out on 22 May through the wonderful Love As Fiction Records (AU) and Shore Dive Records (UK) and will be available to pre-order through all the usual download and streaming sites here and here.
It comes off the forthcoming debut album ‘Remembered Adventures in Widescale’, featuring contributions by Connolly and the legendary Sarah Blasko. When all else is dark, there are rays of sonic sunshine ahead.
