I remember a time when any talk about the local music world in Sydney involved the discussion of hot new thang, Step-Panther. At the time (and we’re talking about four years ago), the three-piece had just released their debut, self-titled album, supporting themselves and spreading their musical seed far and wide via a stream of live shows.
Proving themselves as “non slacker” as possible for a bunch of boys playing slacker rock, they went on to release Surf, a four track EP, in March 2010 and their debut self titled work in 2011. Their most recent work Dreamcrusher, another four tracker, successfully rolled the boys into a new chapter of sonic development.
Now, they’re ready to reveal the first taste of their forthcoming sophomore album. Strange But Nice’s due date is officially set for August, but they’ve made the gestation period a little easier with the release of Nowhere, the first track from the album as well as the first we’ve heard from the boys since 2013. The album was produced by Big Scary’s Tom Iansek at his own Mixed Business studios in Melbourne, so considering the standard is already set pretty high, Nowhere certainly does not disappoint.
We are blushing to be able to offer you your first look at the video to Nowhere, which was directed and filmed by Basko Sao. Created through what looks like an incredibly time consuming process of stop animation and illustration, the cute, hand-made quality of the vid perfectly compliments the strength of the boys’ debut track.
The sound, as with the clip, is honest, sweet and unpredictable. It doesn’t go where you think its going to, which is pretty much all I care about in my desperate attempts to sort through the crap and unearth some new and exciting Australian music.
Enjoy the video, and keep your eyes and ears peeled for Step-Panther’s upcoming live shows, which will feature Zach Stephenson of Hockey Dad on bass. Saturday, June 28, at Fitzroy’s Workers Club in Melbourne and Friday, July 4, at Brighton Up Bar in Sydders, with the hectic support of Adults and Doom Mountain. Yee-ha.
