In keeping with the theme of Aussie bands smashing 2016 out of the park, Melbourne indie-pop hooligans DIET. are stepping up to the plate again with new heavyweight single ‘Life Limbo’.
The triumphant single off the bands forthcoming sophomore EP has been a long time coming for schoolmates Ben, Cluz, Andy, Carl and Ted. After playing together in other bands for some time the boys explained that they needed a bit of inspiration before giving DIET. a good run.
“When Carl was living in London, we came and visited him and during this time he was writing a few riffs here and there. Once he came back in 2014 we thought it was time to do something about those riffs and get it going.”
Coming hot and fast after the bands first EP The Rip last February the new single is yet another breath of fresh air for nostalgic rock fans.
Equal parts head bopping guitar-pop and a palpable yearning for beach soaked summers past ‘Life Limbo’ has the bands signature style in spades, while introducing the kind of polish only time at the musical grindstone can bring – the result? A glossy, sparkling pop gem!
However, ‘Live Limbo’ isn’t as pretty as it seems on the surface, under the layers of polish lurks a serious rough patch for the band’s bass player.
“The song is essentially about Carl going through a phase of having no money. Below the poverty line kinda stuff. So its just about him kinda getting the kick up the ass the needs to get a proper set up going”.
In the interest of keeping it light it seems the boys staged the new single’s video around something close to all of them, Lawn Bowls.
“We all (but particularly Ted) enjoy lawn bowls and we wanted a video that our mates would wanna cameo in” explained Carl, “so filming at the Hawthorn Bowls Club was a shoe-in”.
“There’s probably more footage of beer sipping than actual lawn bowls, so it comes off as an old school VB commercial. That’s not so bad though”.
If an EP and bubbly new single weren’t enough, DIET. managed to rip out a killer show at Australia’s first Shady Cottage festival earlier this year, organised in part by the band’s drummer Will Clancy (‘Cluz’).
“As an act, the Shady Cottage was really fun because the lineup consisted of bands that we are mates with as well as groups like Broadway Sounds and Crepes who we love watching live” reminisced Carl. “The n64 in the artist area was fresh too”.
Excited to finally get their single out of the studio DIET. are taking to the stage this Friday for a massive blowout at Melbourne’s Shebeen – the imminent closure of which makes it one of the iconic venues last shows.
When we brought up the venues closured the band seemed as downtrodden as we are to see another Melbourne venue go under.
“We’ve played quite a few times at Shebeen, whether it was with DIET. or Flamingo Jones. We’re really bummed about it shutting because it’s one of the most accessible venues for bands who are trying to push their stuff to industry”.
In the interest of sending the venue off with a bang the boys have planned quite a show for eager fans. When asked what we could expect Carl had one word for us, “Looseness. Potentially nakedness, but not guaranteed”.
“Apart from hearing the new track, we might also play a quick tribute to our favourite beer. Cluz sweats a lot when he plays, so people can expect to get a bit of sweat residue on them if they go and give him a hug. He loves a cuddle”.
Join DIET. as they launch ‘Life Limbo’ to the world this Friday night (June 17th) at Shebeen – Doors at 8pm. Facebook.
