A new supergroup band from Melbourne has formed, composed of musicians with a pedigree that spans over 40 years. Bleak Squad is fronted by Adalita Srsen, the lead singer of Magic Dirt as well as an accomplished solo artist, and is joined by two veteran Micks – Turner, also of Dirty Three, and former Bad Seed, Harvey. Rounding out the project is Marty Brown on drums, best known for his tenure in Art Of Fighting and The Feeding Set – the latter alongside his wife, Clare Bowditch. The new four-piece has been described as “the most well-known Melbourne band no one’s heard of.”
In a press statement, Brown revealed he brought the band together. “I was sitting around Fitzroy Pool one summer, bemoaning I wasn’t playing drums enough,” he said. “I thought I might start a new project, and just called everyone then and there. I can’t remember why I thought it would work. Maybe I recognised we all had a similar way of making music – uncomplicated and instantaneous.” The band’s name, meanwhile, was picked by Srsen. “I think the name Bleak Squad speaks to both this loose collection of misfits, and the noirish mood of our music,” she said.
Bleak Squad – ‘Lost My Head’
The freshly-minted band has announced their debut studio album, Strange Love, which is set for release on Poison City Records on Friday, August 22nd. The nine-track LP was recorded at Melbourne’s Head Gap studio, with the band working with producer and engineer Rohan Sforcina. “Marty concocted something good,” said Mick Harvey in his own press statement regarding the band. “He guessed at a good chemistry. Everyone put in lots of ideas and committed to the project. Playing music with other people is an exciting thing when it clicks.”
“I just really love the album we’ve made,” added Srsen. “This is the first time I’ve been in a band outside of Magic Dirt and my solo thing. Playing with different musicians I’ve always looked up to, and being so inspired by being in an actual new band, is really exciting. They’re just fucking amazing. I really am pinching myself. It’s unreal. I really can’t wait to play live.”
Srsen will not have to wait long to do so, as the band have announced their debut run of shows in August and October. The full list of dates can be found below. “I can’t wait to get the band on stage,” said Brown. “The album has such an energy from feeling our way through the songs, I think it’ll make for a great show.” Turner, for his part, offered only this when pressed for comment: “!!!”.
Strange Love can be pre-ordered from the Poison City E-Store, as well as the band’s Bandcamp.
Bleak Squad Strange Love Album Launch Shows
- Friday, August 1st – Queenscliff Town Hall, Queenscliff VIC
- Saturday, August 2nd – Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan VIC
- Saturday, October 11th – City Recital Hall, Sydney NSW
- Saturday, October 16th – Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne VIC
The Queenscliff and Meeniyan shows are on sale now. The Melbourne show will go on sale at 11am AEST today (June 16th), while the Sydney show will go on sale on Wednesday, July 23rd. All ticketing information can be found via the tour’s official promoter, Feel Presents.
Further Reading
Why Aus Rock Darlings Magic Dirt Are Happy To Keep Playing The Hits
Love Letter To A Record: Fascinator On Dirty Three’s ‘Horse Stories’
