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WAAX
return with double single
& video release
‘DANGEROUS / HELP ME HELL’
+ New album
AT LEAST I’M FREE
out August 5
via Dew Process
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“WAAX have redefined what it means to be punk in the 21st century.” – The Music
“You would be hard-pressed to find a live act in Australia right now that’s more feverish than WAAX.”
– Pilerats
“Maz is really hitting the top of her game as a singer and lyricist and it’s so great to see her reveal the whole range of her voice, both its ferocity and delicate beauty.” – Bernard Fanning (Powderfinger
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WAAX fans – we hope you’re ready. The Australian rock four-piece today return with not one but two new songs, an incredible and innovative video, and news of a brand-new album.
The first single, ‘Dangerous,’ is a gigantic piano ballad that recalls the megahits of ’90s rock. That’s probably down to the fact that it was in fact co-written with an actual ’90s rock megastar – Linda Perry – frontperson of rock icons 4 Non Blondes and legendary songwriter behind hits for P!nk (‘Get The Party Started’), Christina Aguilera (‘Beautiful’), and Gwen Stefani (‘What You Waiting For?’).
WAAX lead singer and principal songwriter, Maz DeVita, co-wrote the song with Perry in what she describes as one of the defining moments of her career.
“The process of writing ‘Dangerous’ was one of the most wild experiences of my life,” she recalls. “I had talked to the (label) team about planning a writing trip over in LA in late 2019, so naturally everyone reached out to anyone they could think of. I don’t know what the universe was doing during that time, but an email found its way to Linda Perry, and she listened to our music. She requested to set up a writing session right away – and I was literally speechless. She told me she saw something in me, like a real darkness in my voice. Next thing I knew I was in an Uber on my way to her studio absolutely shitting myself. She was and still is the most remarkable human being I have ever had to privilege to meet.”
The result is a song unlike anything WAAX has released before. An anthem that draws on deep emotion and conveys it in a tense, shadowy ballad, the stripped back production style allows DeVita to sing more tenderly than she’s ever attempted before in her career. The result is a mesmerising, spinetingling moment that fans of the band’s raucous history will be immediately struck by.
However, where ‘Dangerous’ is new territory for WAAX, it is juxtaposed by the second single ‘Help Me Hell’ – a thrashy, melodic, power chord storm that is all things punk, grunge, snarl and fun. In other words – pure WAAX.
“‘Help Me Hell’ was one of the earlier tracks we wrote,” says DeVita. “We just wanted a straight to the point, minimal chords, simple lyrics and no BS. James [Gatling – WAAX guitarist and co-songwriter] and I wrote it in one session very quickly. I felt during that time that no matter what I tried my life was not changing, the same patterns were emerging, and I felt frustrated. I always had this feeling of hitting my head on the ceiling trying to get the f*ck out.”
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Both songs are taken from the band’s brand-new masterpiece record – At Least I’m Free – scheduled for release August 5 via Dew Process and Universal Music Australia. They represent the broad spectrum of shades and sounds across the album’s 11 tracks, which also features 2021’s QMA Award-winning barnburner of a single ‘Most Hated Girl’.
“We chose to release a double single to give the listener the most vulnerable song versus the most visceral song,” explains DeVita of the double release. “Our album is one of duality and extremes, so we thought it would be best to give fans a taste of what’s to come. The highest highs and lowest lows. No in-betweens. BUCKLE UP.”
If that wasn’t enough, the album also features another co-songwriter credit from US rock superstar K.Flay (‘No Doz’), and once again sees them once again team up with the production team behind their debut breakout album Big Grief – Australian icon Bernard Fanning (Powderfinger) and Grammy Award-Winner Nick DiDia (Bruce Springsteen).
To compliment the two NEW tracks, the band has delivered one, extended clip for both songs. Filmed at famed Meanjin country venue The Triffid, the video – much like the songs themselves – is an exercise in darkness and light. The first act captures DeVita, dressed to the nines in a suit and solo on stage, emotionally banging out ‘Dangerous’ on an old piano (an heirloom owned by Gatling’s family that was damaged in the recent floods) which is draped in beautiful, dried, native flora. As the video unfolds and ‘Dangerous’ comes to a close, DeVita strips off her jacket, revealing her gallery of arm tattoos, as she runs off stage, picks up the mic, and explodes into ‘Help Me Hell.’ It’s a full band performance that perfectly encapsulates the ferocity of the live shows WAAX have built their reputation on. Directed by Phoebe Faye, it’s a brilliant and unique approach to a music video release, and the perfect take off launchpad for a project as daring as At Least I’m Free.
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WAAX also recently announced that they’ll be returning to the road next week with the national DANGEROUS TOUR. The tour will kick off in Melbourne at the Corner Hotel on Thursday April 14, before winding its way through Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, the ACT, before finishing once again in their home, sunshine state.
Speaking about the tour, WAAX says, “We’re so excited to announce the DANGEROUS TOUR this April/May! After two years of cancelled shows, we are beyond ready to tour ALL OF AUSTRALIA and reconnect with you beautiful people. We can’t think of a better way to thank you for supporting us through the tough times by playing shows for you in some of our favourite venues around the country. Maybe test out some new music for you…? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯We love you and can’t wait to see you.”
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WAAX ‘DANGEROUS’ / ‘HELP ME HELL’ ARE BOTH OUT NOW
THE NEW ALBUM, AT LEAST I’M FREE,
IS OUT AUGUST 5
VIA DEW PROCESS / UMA
PRE-ORDER IT HERE
‘At least I’m Free’
Tracklisting
1. Mermaid Beach
2. Read Receipts
3. A Man Like Me
4. No Doz
5. Most Hated Girl
6. Beam Me Up
7. Dangerous
8. Jeff On The Streets
9. Help Me Hell
10. Same Bitch
11. Whoever
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WAAX ‘DANGEROUS’
TOUR DATES
Tickets available
Friday, March 11
Thursday, April 14 – The Corner Hotel – Melbourne, Vic
Friday, April 15 – Volta – Ballarat, Vic
Saturday, April 16 – Geelong Hotel – Geelong, Vic
Friday, April 29 – The Brightside – Brisbane, Qld
Saturday, April 30 – The Northern – Byron Bay, NSW
Friday, May 6 – Uni Bar – Hobart, Tas
Saturday, May 7 – Jive – Adelaide, SA
Friday, May 13 – Crowbar – Sydney, NSW
Saturday, May 14 – The Basement – Canberra, ACT
Friday, May 27 – Eleven Dive Bar – Sunshine Coast, Qld
Saturday, May 28 – Miami Marketta – Gold Coast, Qld
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Follow WAAX
TikTok – Instagram – Facebook
Twitter – Spotify
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AMNPLIFY – KS
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My nickname is “The Amnplifier”. Why? Because around here my focus is on being a conduit for providing greater outcomes that people come here for. My day to day “work” is living in the moment, and I love helping others concentrate on finding their connection to themselves through their experiences.
Why start a music environment? The truth is I love music, I love writing, and I love life. I work with musicians every day, and I feel certain that I will be until they put me in the ground. I have been managing people in businesses of some sort for over thirty five years so along the way I have developed some “wisdom” from my regular and constant “observations”.
Amnplify your experience. That is what we want you to do here, and if you want to let me know why you do, or don’t, shoot me a message on Facebook.
Hope you enjoy yourself here and find something that hits you somewhere.
