MIDDLE KIDS REVEAL NEW SINGLE ‘STACKING CHAIRS’ + ALBUM ‘TODAY WE’RE THE GREATEST’ OUT 19 MARCH + TOURING MAY
Photo Credit: Imogen Wilson
“Arena sized rock, masquerading as warm, thoughtful, 1980’s styled indie-rock”
- NEW YORK TIMES
“a raging inferno of distorted guitars and orchestral brass. It’s a hell of a way to introduce an album”
- STEREOGUM
“Radiant, anthemic indie rock, balancing doubt ridden lyrics with clear eyed execution”
- PITCHFORK
“How does a band get this good, this quickly?"
- BILLBOARD
Today, Middle Kids release new single and video for ‘Stacking Chairs’, the fourth track to be taken from their upcoming second album Today We’re The Greatest - out on 19 March (via EMI).
‘Stacking Chairs’ is a surging pop number that encapsulates the extraordinary intimacy and creativity that gave rise to Today We’re The Greatest. It’s a love story, but like all songs written by lead singer and songwriter Hannah Joy, it celebrates both beauty and darkness. ‘Stacking Chairs’ juxtaposes tales from (band-mate and husband) Tim Fitz’s child-hood in Papua New Guinea with their life together in marriage. Sonically, it reveals a band at full-flight in the studio, imbued with mellotron and great peels of electric guitar - it’s one of the most immediate songs on an album full of astonishing hooks and textures.
Says Hannah Joy: “I never thought I was going to get married - I didn’t think I would be able to love someone forever. I was scared that I would feel trapped and suffocated or alternatively leave or be left with a pile of ash and rubble. Going on the journey of marriage with Tim has been profound. It is very liberating having someone see you in your entirety and stay. Tim embodies that kind of ‘stacking chairs’ love - he’s not just about the party. He’s around afterward when I’m tired and ugly and loves me in those moments.”
The song’s deeply personal subject-matter was heightened during the recording process as Joy was heavily pregnant at the time of recording. Of the recording sessions Tim Fitz says: “Hannah was nailing vocal and guitar takes with a huge belly. Then she would sleep on the couch while we worked on other stuff. We recorded 12 songs in 14 days and left the studio on the last day to fly back to Australia for a tour. It was an intense time... There are these triumphant trills that come in at the beginning of each chorus which is about 20 things all playing the same chord and rhythm."
‘Stacking Chairs’ follows the release of singles ‘R U 4 ME?’, ‘Questions’ and ‘Cellophane (Brain)’. It was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Lars Stalfors (St. Vincent, Soccer Mommy, Purity Ring). The album Today We’re The Greatest is the uninhibited product of fearless collaboration, a vivid collection of 12 courageous, personal and rattling songs.
It is the Sydney-based rock trio’s follow up to their award winning, debut album Lost Friends from 2018, a record which earned support slots with The War on Drugs, Local Natives and Cold War Kids as well as performances on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Late, Late Show with James Corden, Conan, Busy Tonight and CBS This Morning.
Middle Kids will play their first headline Australian tour in almost two years this May. The Today We’re The Greatest Australian Tour will see the band perform what are sure to be unforgettable nights at three of the country's most stunning seated concert spaces - Brisbane's QPAC, Melbourne Recital Centre and Sydney's City Recital Hall. Both Melbourne and Sydney shows have already sold out - and second dates have been added!. Tickets are on sale now.
TODAY WE’RE THE GREATEST TRACK LIST
1. Bad Neighbours
2. Cellophane (Brain)
3. R U 4 Me?
4. Questions
5. Lost in Los Angeles
6. Golden Star
7. Summer Hill
8. Some People Stay In Our Hearts Forever
9. Run With You
10. I Don't Care
11. Stacking Chairs
12. Today We’re The Greatest
MIDDLE KIDS | TOUR DATES
TODAY WE’RE THE GREATEST ALBUM TOUR
TICKETS ON SALE NOW HERE
Thursday 13 May - QPAC, Brisbane, AU
Friday 21 May - Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne, AU - SOLD OUT
Saturday 22 May - Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne, AU - SELLING FAST
Friday 28 May - City Recital Hall, Sydney, AU - SOLD OUT
Saturday 29 May - City Recital Hall, Sydney, AU
