HOCKEY DAD
announce highly anticipated second album
‘BLEND IN’
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Hockey Dad announce details of their highly-anticipated second album entitled Blend Inn, out February 9, 2018 on Farmer & The Owl via Inertia Music. The news follows the launch of lead single “Homely Feeling”, spun first by Richard Kingsmill on triple j and has dominating the airwaves ever since. The duo have now backed the single up with a music video which sees them assemble a ramshackle gang of mates and transform their backyard pool into a skate bowl.
“Blend Inn” is the follow up to Hockey Dad’s critically acclaimed 2016 debut “Boronia”. Where Boronia celebrated the long days of summers past and the sublime naivety of youth, Blend Inn is Zach Stephenson and Billy Fleming coming to us with more perspective after relentless touring took them far from the streets and waves of their hometown of Windang, NSW. The album title emerges as a response to that lived experience “Blend Inn” is the part of your head that you want to go to when you’re overseas and wishing you were back home, it’s within” says Fleming “We’re always just trying to be comfortable and semi blending in, so it’s the name we gave to that place you zone out to.”
Landing in Seattle, the recording of “Blend Inn” began with renowned audio engineer and producer John Goodmanson (Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney, Cloud Nothings, Death Cab for Cutie) at Robert Lang Studios. The studios, supposedly haunted, echo with their iconic past – housing many of rock’s legends over its time including Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, and most notably, Nirvana, who recorded their last song there. The mic used in Kurt Cobain’s final studio recording still hanging in tribute. Here, Hockey Dad found a home away from home – immortalising their time in the album artwork, which depicts the house in a film photo captured by Fleming.
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The album is Hockey Dad’s boldest output to date, a natural progression for the two as they face the tribulations of young adulthood, a theme reflected across the record. “Homely Feeling” emerges as an ode to their roots; “In a way the lyrics of this song reflect on trying to find that “Homely” feeling all the time, for when you’re surrounded by heaps of people and kinda freaking out and just wanna be back home.”
“I Wanna Be Everybody” pines for the feeling of normality – speaking of social anxiety, “Join The Club” relays the struggle for self-identity in the face of societal expectation, whilst lighter moments like “Sweet Release” see the duo experiment , showcasing Fleming on vocals for the first time.
The past 18 months have seen the duo embark on sold out national and regional tours, perform at Falls Festival Lorne and on the main stage at Splendour In The Grass, plus tour extensively across the US, Canada, New Zealand, Europe, the UK. Returning home, they hit the road as main support on a 25+ date tour with iconic Aussie rock band Grinspoon, and most recently, wrapped up a run with Dune Rats and Wavves playing in some of the country’s biggest rooms.
The growth that Hockey Dad have experienced over this period has been no accident. The fast-paced, punk style of Billy’s drums combines with Zach’s jangly guitar, anthemic choruses and ever confident vocals to give life to their unmistakable and infectious brand of rock-pop. The true heart of Hockey Dad’s execution and synchronicity, however, exists in their long standing, personal friendship – having first met as kids, growing up together two doors apart.
“Blend Inn” is available for pre-order now on all formats including limited edition coloured vinyl.
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Hockey Dad
Blend Inn
1. My Stride
2. Homely Feeling
3. I Wanna Be Everybody
4. Danny
5. Join The Club
6. Whatever
7. Disappoint Me
8. Running Out
9. Stalker
10. Where I Came From
11. Sweet Release
12. Eggshells
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HOCKEY DAD
AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
Saturday, December 9
Fairgrounds Festival, Berry NSW
Tickets
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