Darwinian pop-rock band DRAFTDAY have released their first EP “When I Went Away” today, Tuesday 19th May. The EP follows their autumn release “Misspent”, which garnered praise from Hysteria Magazine, Depth Magazine, Wall of Sound, SYN and triple j, receiving spins on Home and Hosed and ShortFastLoud.

LISTEN TO "WHEN I WENT AWAY" HERE

The five-piece put their powerful vocals, candid and introspective lyrics, and genre-bending songwriting on display throughout each track on “When I Went Away”. The first song on the EP, “Mess I’ve Made”, was written for feeling a sense of fear or remorse for hurting someone you love.

“Misspent”, the band’s first single of 2020 which was revealed in April, is the band's most aggressive and experimental sound yet. Evoking both sadness and anger, this track is about what goes through your head after being hurt. 

“Aster”, which is the only acoustic number on the EP, was written and strategically placed in the middle of the EP as a point to “regroup thoughts or say goodbye to a lot of things that had changed in our individual lives over time”. The softer tones and emotional warfare continue with “A Perfect Light”, and then “White Fences” is the perfect ending to the emotional rollercoaster ride that is the release; the summation of a year of longing, regret, hurt, growth, and self-doubt.

“This EP was an outlet for everything we had been holding onto. We wrote about past relationships, losing a sense of self and the fear of growing,” said the band. “It was our way of coming to terms with changes in our lives and understanding the necessity of them. It’s an EP that has helped us transform doubt and loneliness into hope for the future.”

DRAFTDAY will be holding an exclusive album launch party at Railway Club in Darwin on Saturday 13th June. Tickets will be available soon and limited due to the Covid-19 restrictions. ​

Check out the music video for ‘Misspent’ below.

DRAFTDAY spent all of their 2019 writing, self-producing, and recording “When I Went Away”, and just like “Misspent”, the single released earlier this year, the EP delivers pop melodies and hard hitting undertones. 

DRAFTDAY was formed in late 2018 and hails from Darwin in Northern Australia, consisting of members Arran Barker (vocals), Lucas Sharp (guitar), Manolis Kamitsis (bass), Rowan Dally (drums) and Tom Ford (guitar). DRAFTDAY has rapidly matured into a band that verges on bursting into the national scene, with their first release of singles “Soap” and “En Soi” achieving triple j and Unearthed airplay alongside acclaim from music media nationwide, including Wall of Sound and Depth Magazine.

The band have also attracted attention from triple j’s Declan Byrne and Dave Ruby Howe, who intolled that these guys are ready to hit big stadiums, even comparing them to the likes of punk band Trophy Eyes. They also draw inspiration from bands such as Gang of Youths and Ceres, creating their own unique sound, straying away from the cliche that every band that comes out of Darwin is a metal act.

“When I Went Away” is available to stream on all platforms now.

Praise for Draftday

“Explosive.” - Hysteria Magazine

“(DRAFTDAY’s) alt/rock, punk antics give off immediate gestures to bands like Trophy Eyes and Violent Soho, and we’re thinking…they could really be playing to huge festival crowds one day.” - Wall of Sound

“DRAFTDAY’s sound is moreish in the way it feels like it gives an affectionate nod toward alt-rock creations of the 80s and 90s, while also carrying the polish and energy of modern day production.  It’s anything but stale or overdone.” - Depth Magazine

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