Sydney-based indie due Salarymen return with their sophomore EP ‘Head In The Sand’, out 27 October on Scenic Drive Records.
The EP features brand new tracks ‘Summer’s Coming’ and ‘Toe To Toe’, in addition to previously released material. ‘Head In The Sand’ is a collection of self-produced indie jams, weaving in elements of rock, pop and psych across various tracks and referencing the likes of The Strokes and Wet Leg, to Beach House and Alvvays. It’s a sophisticated step-up from their debut EP ‘Scene Change’ (2021), taking the listener on a sonically-rich journey laden with beautifully-layered vocals, rich synth soundscapes and jangly guitars.
Summer’s Coming, the lead track off the EP, is an effervescent, tongue-in-cheek ode to everyone’s favourite season. The uplifting tune foregrounds the duo’s signature vintage-inspired harmonies and sun-soaked garage pop reminiscent of artists like Best Coast, Real Estate and the Beach Boys.
Speaking about the single, Vocalist and bassist Renee de la Motte explains: “The world has been full of too much misery the last few years, so we wrote the happiest song we could think of for a change! It’s about longing for Summer wherever you are in the world. We’ve squeezed in all of our quintessential Summer activities, like drinking margaritas on the beach, nudie swims and Sunday sessions, which is universally relevant no matter who you are.”
The EP was predominantly recorded and mixed by Salarymen (Renee de la Motte & Thom Eagleton) in their home studio, with support from award-winning engineer and label manager Wayne Connolly (Boy and Bear, Cloud Control).
Renee Sahres: “This collection of songs was born from a rollercoaster of emotions – written partly during lockdown, and partly as we emerged with a new zest for life. For example, we wrote Summer’s Coming when Spring was just around the corner and the world was opening up. The lyrics reflect on us yearning for a simpler time, where the biggest thing on our mind is what beach we’re going to, and where to find a cold beer. Conversely, we wrote Rerun smack bang in the middle of lockdown, when we were desperate to just feel something, and have something to look forward to.”
To celebrate the release, Salarymen will announce their first East Coast tour in February 2023 with their full live band, visiting Brisbane, Byron, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney and Wollongong. They will also be touring Japan in November 2022, playing shows in Osaka and Tokyo.
Salarymen have remained a staple in the Australian indie scene over the last 12 months, with the release of three outstanding singles ‘All In Vain’, ‘Rerun’ and ‘Young Guns’. These tracks have landed them triple j premieres, rotation on FBi, 2SER andSYN, features on Spotify’s USA and AU/NZ Fresh Finds playlists, Apple Music’s New Music Daily and support from the likes of NME, Life Without Andy, Rage, 4ZZZ, RTR FM and 3RRR.
Meanwhile, they’ve sold out headline shows in Sydney, performed to capacity crowds in Byron Bay, and landed live shows with Eliza & The Delusionals, Pacific Avenue, The Vanns and The Lazy Eyes. They were also handpicked by The Jungle Giants as winners of Smirnoff’s ‘Ads for Artists’ campaign.
The ‘Head In The Sand’ EP from Salarymen is released 27th October via Scenic Drive Records and will be available via all digital streaming platforms.
LISTEN TO THE LEAD SINGLE ‘SUMMER’S COMING’
UPCOMING SHOWS
SAT 8 OCTOBER | OXFORD ART FACTORY’S 15TH BIRTHDAY, SYDNEY
w/ Pacific Avenue, Nice Biscuit, Abby Bella May, PEEL, Sunfruits + more
TUE 22 NOV | LIVEHOUSE PANGEA, OSAKA
w/ Episode, Newdums, Qoomol
FRI 25 NOV | BASEMENT BAR, TOKYO
w/ American Dream Express
SAT 10 DEC | VIC ON THE PARK, SYDNEY
w/ The Brights