Sydney’s Spookyland are unlike anything else I’ve heard recently, and that alone draws me in. Their four-track EP Rock and Roll Weakling was released earlier this year to critical acclaim, and they’ve been a radio-staple, as well as playing to packed venues ever since. Title track “Rock and Roll Weakling” is a soulful, emotional and seriously powerful folk-influenced track.
Singer Marcus Gordon has an incredibly unique voice, I imagine it’s a love-it-or-hate-it kind of thing. I, for one, love it. Blending together harmonica and twangy folk guitar work with a huge beat and churning guitars, the overall tone is one of hope, intensity and a little nostalgia.
The bluesy track is tinted with a country twang at times, while the ever-growing beat peaks at a rock-anthem heaviness. Oh, and don’t forget to listen out for the lyrical fragility, cleverly disguised under the swingin’ beat and the mesmerising melody.
The EP was produced by Tony Buchen (Andy Bull, Megan Washington, Tim Finn), and has been making its way around Australia on a huge headline tour. The group have recently been signed to US label Canvasback (Grouplove, Alt-J, The Orwells) and UK/Europe label Play It Again Sam (The Pixies, Editors, The Jezabels) – so it’s pretty safe to say that this is only the beginning for Spookyland.