Eora/Sydney-based alt-rock force RedHook have today returned with their fiery new single ‘SAY’, self-produced by guitarist Craig Wilkinson and mixed by Sam Guiana (Between You And Me, The Devil Wears Prada).
‘SAY’ is a heavy-riffing firecracker that takes its sonic cues from the UK’s new wave of electronic rock pioneers such as Bring Me The Horizon, Nova Twins and Nothing But Thieves, offering up a seismic smash of fuzz-drenched octave guitars, sizzling synth production, and irresistible vocal hooks that crackle with grungy distortion.
Lyrically, ‘SAY’ sees RedHook vocalist Emmy Mack blow the lid off numerous instances of sexism she’s experienced during her time as an artist, both before and after the #MeToo revolution. A timely topic, given the damning findings of the recent independent Raising Their Voices report into sexual harassment and discrimination across the Australian Music Industry.
“When I was first starting out, I was told in no uncertain terms that I had a ‘use-by date’, I was pressured to dumb down my ‘image’ and conform to a more palatable ‘female rock artist’ stereotype; and I was repeatedly made to feel like my opinion didn’t matter when it came to my own music and career. And even though it does feel like things are starting to shift in a more positive direction, with the #metoo movement and now this Raising Their Voices report helping to bring these issues out of the shadows, we clearly still have a long way to go.
I hope my little trauma dump on ‘SAY’ helps empower people who’ve copped similar bullshit in any aspect of life. My vision for the song is to be a loud and impetuous ‘fuck you’ to anyone who’s ever tried to make anyone else in this world feel voiceless or small.”
RedHook will support the release of ‘SAY’ by completing their 28-date regional tour of Australia as main support for metalcore titans In Hearts Wake throughout September and October, before capping off the year with performances at the juggernaut Good Things festival in Eora/Sydney, Naarm/Melbourne, and Meanjin/Brisbane alongside the likes of Bring Me The Horizon, The Amity Affliction and Polaris, as well as Rolling Sets festival in Darkinjung/Central Coast alongside Hilltop Hoods, Peach PRC and Alex Lahey this December.
This follows on from a meteoric year that saw RedHook complete their biggest ever national headline tour, plus make their critically acclaimed debuts at Australia’s Groovin The Moo and UNIFY Gathering festivals, as well as two of the biggest heavy music festivals on the planet, Germany’s Rock AM Ring and Rock Im Park; a feat few Australian bands can claim.
The music video for ‘SAY’, directed by Her Name Is Murder Productions (Ocean Grove, Sepultura), features live footage taken from these two festival appearances and the rest of the band’s European tour back in June.
‘SAY’ follows the release of previous single ‘Jabberwocky’, which was added to full rotation on triple j, triple j Unearthed and Triple M Hard N Heavy, and received immense support from Kerrang! Radio (UK), BBC Radio 1 (UK), Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, NME, Rolling Stone, MANIACS, and Australian community radio stations.
‘SAY’ will be available worldwide on Friday, September 16
FESTIVAL DATES
SAT 29 OCT | SCORCHED FESTIVAL, MEANJIN/BRISBANE
FRI 2 DEC | GOOD THINGS FESTIVAL, NAARM/MELBOURNE
SAT 3 DEC | GOOD THINGS FESTIVAL, EORA/SYDNEY
SUN 4 DEC | GOOD THINGS FESTIVAL, MEANJIN/BRISBANE
SAT 10 DEC | ROLLING SETS FESTIVAL, DARKINJUNG/THE ENTRANCE
SUPPORTING IN HEARTS WAKE
THU 22 SEP | DRIFTERS WHARF, KURING-GAI/CENTRAL COAST NSW
FRI 23 SEP | CAMBRIDGE HOTEL, MULUBINBA/NEWCASTLE NSW
SAT 24 SEP | MANNING BAR, EORA/SYDNEY NSW (EARLY SHOW)
SAT 24 SEP | MANNING BAR, EORA/SYDNEY NSW (LATE SHOW)
THU 29 SEP | UNI BAR, THARAWAL/WOLLONGONG NSW
FRI 30 SEP | UC HUB, NGUNNAWAL/CANBERRA ACT
SAT 1 OCT | BEER DELUXE, WIRADJURI/ALBURY NSW
WED 5 OCT | VOLTA, WATHAURONG/BALLARAT VIC
THU 6 OCT | SOOKI LOUNGE, WURUNDJERI/BELGRAVE VIC
FRI 7 OCT | THE WOOL EXCHANGE, DJILANG/GEELONG VIC
SAT 8 OCT | PIER BANDROOM, BOONWURRUNG/FRANKSTON VIC
FRI 14 OCT | ALTAR, NIPALUNA/HOBART TAS
SAT 15 OCT | LION ARTS FACTORY, TARNDANYA/ADELAIDE SA
SUN 16 OCT | NORTHERN SOUND SYSTEM, KAURNA/ELIZABETH SA (LIC / AA)
FRI 21 OCT | VINNIE’S DIVE, YUGAMBEH/GOLD COAST QLD
SAT 22 OCT | THE NORTHERN, CAVANBAH/BYRON BAY NSW