Image by Michael Tartaglia //
In Pond we trust.
They’re the kind of band that you can have faith in, ya know. Throughout their lifespan, the collective of neo-psych visionaries have taken us on journeys through fuzzy riffery, noirish electro pop, heartstrung balladry and everything in between, and the’ve never failed to keep us enthralled. They’re like a reliable ’99 Corolla that just won’t quit. Or, in the case of their new single ‘Neon River’, more like a cosmic horse and cart that doth needeth no fuel(eth).
Over an afternoon of repeat listens, it’s hard to decide which part of the tune is the hookiest. Sure, the obvious answer is the 80s rock-inspired chorus that sounds like a Perry Farrell wet dream, but the softly strummed verses are nothing short of immersive perfection. And let’s not even begin to start talking about the juicy little middle eight, ok?
“This is a full on Pond Gemini song. Kinda tumbles through bucolic Gum (Jay Watson) larping, into Nick (Allbrook) in maximum Aerosmith spandex mode, with a brief detour into some kind of shoegaze instrumental section,” The bans says of the tune. “The chorus is about the hollow half dead riverside shuffle of so many pre dawns of years gone by.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx17-K5fIXU
The video sees them team up with long-time collaborator Sam Kristofski who’s deliciously grainy filmic stylings and penchant for a zoom are unmistakeable. And, naturally, Allbrook and co deliver magnetic performances as they draw swords, kick stuff, and thrash out while performing. The standout moment however comes at three mins and six seconds into the clip when a stoic Shiny Joe Ryan gives a cinematic nod down the camera. Chills.
You can catch Pond supporting a little known band called Queens Of The Stone Age throughout Aus in Feb and March, before they head over to the US and then Europe. Some more tracks in between now and then would be great though… just saying.. Buy/stream ‘Neon River’ here.
POND TOUR DATES
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND 2024
*supporting Queens of the Stone Age
Saturday, 10 February | Red Hill Auditorium – Perth, WA*
Tuesday, 13 February | The Drive – Adelaide, SA*
Friday, 16 February | Mona Lawns – Hobart, TAS*
Sunday, 18 February | Torquay Common – Torquay, VIC*
Monday, 19 February | Sidney Myer Music Bowl – Melbourne, VIC*
Wednesday, 21 February | Hordern Pavilion – Sydney, NSW*
Thursday, 22 February | Hordern Pavilion – Sydney, NSW*
Saturday, 24 February | Broadwater Parklands – Gold Coast, QLD*
Sunday, 25 February | Fortitude Music Hall – Brisbane, QLD*
Monday, 26 February | Fortitude Music Hall – Brisbane, QLD*
Thursday, 29 February | Spark Arena – Auckland, NZ*
Friday, 1 March | TSB Arena – Wellington, NZ*
Sunday, 3 March | Wolfbrook Arena – Christchurch, NZ
USA 2024
Wednesday, 1 May | The Basement East – Nashville, TN
Thursday, 2 May | The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC
Friday, 3 May | Shaky Knees Festival – Atlanta, GA
Tuesday, 7 May | Mohawk – Austin, TX
Wednesday, 8 May | White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX
Thursday, 9 May | Trees – Dallas, TX
Saturday, 11 May | Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO
Sunday, 12 May | Kilby Court Block Party – Salt Lake City, UT
Wednesday, 15 May | The New Parish – Oakland, CA
Thursday, 16 May | Lodge Room – Los Angeles, CA
Friday, 17 May | The Observatory North Park – San Diego, CA
Saturday, 18 May | The Observatory OC – Santa Ana, CA
UK/EU 2024
Thursday, 26 September | Gorilla – Manchester, UK
Friday, 27 September | The Wardrobe – Leeds, UK
Saturday, 28 September | The Grove – Newcastle, UK
Sunday, 29 September | King Tut’s Wah Wah – Glasgow, UK
Tuesday, 1 October | XOYO Birmingham – Birmingham, UK
Wednesday, 2 October | Thekla – Bristol, UK
Thursday, 3 October | Scala – London, UK
Saturday, 5 October | TBD – Paris, FR
Sunday, 6 October | La Grand Salon, Botanique – Brussels, BE
Monday, 7 October | Paradiso – Amsterdam, NL
Tuesday, 8 October | Bürgerhaus Stollwerck – Cologne, DE
Thursday, 10 October | Hole44 – Berlin, DE
Friday, 11 October | Fabrik – Hamburg, DE
