It has been some time in the making but things fall into place for a reason and today, Adelaide’s Wing Defence unleash their debut EP, Friends. A fitting name for this duo’s offering, the Friends EP is a great look at the connection between these songwriters and musicians and their growth as creatives.
Since their debut release ‘Stuck’ back in 2018, Wing Defence quickly became one of Adelaide’s most exciting new exports, winning praise at BIGSOUND, Groovin’ The Moo and Laneway Festivals, as well as on stages supporting the likes of Polish Club, The VANNS and more. With SA Music Awards, a deal with European label Dock 7 and acclaim from national radio and online outlets under their belt, the early chapter for Wing Defence was a strong one.
The six track EP, featuring previously released songs in ‘Relocate’, ‘Weapons’, ‘Hindsight’ and ‘Listerine’, smacks with bright pop-punk energy, putting Skye Walter and Paige Court’s talents as storytellers front and centre. A record of maturing, learning through experience and growth, Wing Defence are united as ever in creating music that represents all facets of themselves.
The tracks on the EP came together across a number of different sessions in different locations in Adelaide, with Wing Defence working with the likes of Mario Späte (Montaige, Jess Kent) and their own guitarist, Benny Tamblyn-Morrow and engineers Wade Keighran and Rick O’Neill (Silverchair, You Am I, Powderfinger). Musically, the EP dips in and out with its tone placement. There are moments of reflection (‘Relocate’), moments of bright hope (‘Bob’) and moments of rawness (‘Silence’) that cover their presented emotional spectrum with great care.
“Wing Defence seemed to form at a time when all of us were facing a huge crossroad in our lives and needed to find refuge. Needed to find friendship and laughter in the hard times. We needed to make light of our common struggles and lift each other up. Through this, we found really strong friendships, hence the EP titled ‘Friends’. The entire EP really developed and became one huge counselling session!” Wing Defence
This sense of friendship and community between Wing Defence and their circle has been brought together in making the music video for their recent single, ‘Relocate’. Created and produced by the band themselves, the video serves as a journal of time spent together in studio, onstage and off – a great memory board. “As we were reflecting on our EP, Friends, getting prepared for release, we got all nostalgic, looking back on where we’d come from and wanted to venture back to our roots. Given the state of the world, we know so many people are resonating with that feeling of good times they’ve had with their friends, remembering those silly times, when things were different and we wanted to capture that for ourselves too.” Wing Defence
PRAISE FOR WING DEFENCE
“…a way of creating uniquely memorable phrases full of Australiana and wit.”
Triple J Unearthed, Tommy Faith
“Plenty of hooks but the whole way through, it bubbles away slowly and keeps a little in the tank, which works nicely.”
Triple J, Declan Byrne
“There’s not much to say about Wing Defence beyond the fact they are brilliant, new and incredibly exciting…”
Laundry Echo
“Each release from Wing Defence is lyrically earnest and buoyed by the steady pace and lush organic production…”
City Mag
‘Friends’ is out now!
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