It's fitting then, that three former members of dance-punk band Tiddabades, would take the expression as the name of their new, and radically divergent, album Null Hour, recorded under new moniker Sunken Seas.
The album marks a point after which things will never be the same.
The trio, Craig Rattray, Ryan Harte and Luke Kavanagh, who hail from Wellington, will play in Port Chalmers tonight at Chick's Hotel as part of their debut album release tour.
Rising from the wreckage of the sharp and successful Tiddabades in 2011, after becoming bored with their sonic confines, Sunken Seas are a venture into audible space and resonance. Trading their former precision pop for long, hazy explorations into the darker sides of the post-punk atmosphere, their swirling depths overwhelm the listener, dragging them into the world of Sunken Seas. That world is one of high contrast noir. Black and white tones with chiaroscuro textures perfectly fitting the squalling, driving music.
These aesthetics are exemplified by their new video, Paid Your Price, from Null Hour.
Compiled from footage lifted from Satan en prison by Georges Melies (the French illusionist film director noted for 1902's A Trip to the Moon), the surreal images match the chainsaw love ballad as it jams out for near six minutes.
Down the phoneline from their practice space on the eve of their nationwide tour, the group tells me this aesthetic is carefully crafted, even encompassing their live show.
"I think music these days is definitely a lot more visual than it used to be. That's something we're quite passionate about as well, the whole overall aesthetic. It's very important to have a strong brand identity these days, to make yourself a bit more identifiable amongst the noise." Rise from the noise they have, with the trio recently signing with Auckland independent label Muzai Records, and gaining support slots for garage-drone outfit Wooden Shjips (US), and UK punk-poet John Cooper Clarke. Of course, it's Null Hour which stands as the greatest achievement, the result of a painstaking process come to fruition.
"We're very happy with how [Null Hour] turned out. I think we achieved what we set out to do. It's a full-length album you can listen [to] as one entire piece. It still has songs within it, but there's also an overall album story."
Catch them
Null Hour is available now via Muzai Records.
www.muzai.bandcamp.com/ Sunken Seas nationwide tourChick's Hotel, Port Chalmers, with Kahu, tonight
Off the back of their No 1 chart debut, successful disorderly 48-hour album release party, and controversial pop-up store on Ponsonby Rd in Auckland, Home Brew have decided to take the carnage on the road, announcing a six-date nationwide tour throughout July.
Homebrew will grace World, Queenstown, on July 26, and Sammy's, Dunedin, on July 27.
Suitable Alternative has three double passes to the Sammy's show to give away. Simply email playtime@odt.co.nz with your name, address and daytime phone number to be in the draw.
$20 pre-sale tickets are available from www.undertheradar.co.nz.
- Written by Sam Valentine.
