WAAX is a band that’s been making a lot of noise for a while now, but today they announce that after years of evolution and growth, the expected shape of their punk to come has finally taken the form of Big Grief, their stellar debut album, set for release August 23.
To celebrate the album’s announce, the band has released a brand-new video for their barnstorming current single ‘I Am.’ Directed by Jeremy Hancock & Marty Moynihan (who previously directed the video for ‘FU’), the clip is a black and white performance piece, laced with subtle psychedelic effects. At times looking like the cover art of My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless come to life, the imagery is visceral, hypnotic and electric – once again perfectly complementing the powerful moves and moods expressed by the band’s performance.
Big Grief explores the very definition of the word ‘grief’ in universal terms. As singer and chief songwriter Maz DeVita explains, “the whole album is about grief for so many things that I felt when we were writing the record and still do now. The way the world is so volatile at the moment, our environment, I talk about anxiety, mania, cutting ties with old friends and habits, my problems in the past with body image, and it’s almost like a big mourning for all that. It’s definitely an outpouring of grief in every sense of the word. But as much as I explored darker themes for Big Grief, I framed my melodies and vocal very colourfully and lively.”
WAAX is now poised to hit the road this August as part of their ‘I Am’ national tour, including a gig at Newcastle’s Cambridge Hotel on the record’s release day, August 23. Full details for the tour and links to pre-order the album are below.
WAAX ‘I Am’ National Tour 2019
For all the latest releases and touring news, head to: www.waax.band
Thursday, August 8, Mojos, Fremantle
Friday, August 9, Jack Rabbit Slims, Perth
Saturday, August 10, Jive, Adelaide
Friday, August 16, Triffid, Brisbane
Saturday, August 17, Corner, Melbourne
Friday, August 23, Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
Saturday, August 24, Oxford Art Factory, Sydney