Fresh off the stage of the Sydney Laneway Festival, Yard Act dropped by to discuss the finer merits of endurance and the current state of play.

Hailing from the thriving music scene of Leeds, Yard Act burst onto the scene in 2019 with their unique brand of minimalist rock. Comprised of Ryan Needham and James Smith, who started creating tracks with a primitive drum machine and borrowed bass guitar, the band later brought on board George Townend on drums and Sammy Robinson on guitar after meeting them at the legendary Brudenell Social Club. Before the pandemic hit, Yard Act played a few shows to a rapt reception, showcasing their ingenuity and artistry to great effect.

Fast forward to today, and Yard Act’s debut album The Overload has taken the world by storm. With its satirical one-liners and political commentary, the album speaks to the times we live in with a nuance that avoids punching down or resorting to tired left-wing/right-wing rhetoric. Instead, Yard Act’s messy, complex, and knowingly hypocritical observations offer a snapshot of our current state of play.

Drawing on elements of post-punk, indie rock, 1970s Italo disco, ’90s hip-hop, and early 2000s indie rock, Yard Act’s sound is a unique blend that defies categorization. Their lyrics, which discuss capitalism, gentrification, and social class, are delivered with dark humor and cynical storytelling, while also incorporating surrealist elements that add to the band’s enigmatic allure.

James and Ryan dropped by to chat about the importance of endurance. For Yard Act, the ability to endure and adapt to changing circumstances has been key to their success, allowing them to craft a debut album that is both timely and timeless.