While there was much excitement in Australia following the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games last night in Brisbane, Backseat Mafia’s antipodean outpost was more enthralled by the news that Brisbane’s other great product, and one of our favourites, Hatchie, released a new track along with news of her debut EP, both entitled ‘Sugar and Spice’. Hatchie is the work of Harriette Pilbeam.
And at the risk of being accused of hyperbole, the track is an absolutely stunning slice of dream pop brilliance. It encompasses the dreamy, layered harmonies of sixties girl groups, more hooks than an angling competition and a crystalline production. All the hallmarks of Hatchie’s earlier singles ‘Try’ and ‘Sure’ are there – the jangling Rickenbacker sound and Pilbeam’s floating ethereal voice skimming lightly across the shimmering surface:
The video was made by Hatchie band-member Joe Agius, with Pilbeam commenting: “Joe and I spent about an hour filming with the guys and two days drawing for the video. It’s such a fun short song, so we wanted something simple and colourful, and less serious than our previous videos. Joe came up with the concept and we took inspiration from our old school scrapbooks.”
It is incredible to note that the forthcoming EP will be Hatchie’s debut given the strength and maturity of her songwriting. Pilbeam says:
“The songs on ‘Sugar & Spice’ were all written without much thought or pressure from myself or anyone else, allowing me to lay my feelings out like I’ve never done before. Joe & producer John Castle helped shape the sound you can hear in each track, bringing life to each song in its own special way.”
You can preorder the EP here.
Hatchie is touring the UK following a successful stint at SXSW. The dates are:
5th May – Live at Leeds, LEEDS
5-6th May – Sound City Festival, LIVERPOOL
6th May – Sounds from the Other City, SALFORD
7th May – Hare & Hound, BIRMINGHAM
8th May – The Hug & Pint, GLASGOW
10th May – Shacklewell Arms, LONDON
16th May – The Social, LONDON
17-19th May – The Great Escape, BRIGHTON
22nd May – Sebright Arms, LONDON
Also look out for dates in Australia:
Thurs July-12 / Worker’s Club / Melbourne
Fri July-13 / OAF Gallery / Sydney
Sat July-14 / Black Bear Lodge / Brisbane
‘Sugar & Spice’ is due out on on 25 May through the legendary Heavenly Records.
EP track list:
1. Sure (official video | Robin Guthrie remix)
2. Sleep
3. Sugar & Spice (official video)
4. Try (official video)
5. Bad Guy
