Chavez Cartel’s upcoming new EP Man’s Best Friend is set to release on Friday, May 5.
Midnight Skies from Gold Coast quintet Chavez Cartel, is a swaggering, brilliant blend of classic rock and current colours that will light up the night sky and drive into your soul.
A Captivating Experience
“Midnight Skies” is a captivating musical experience that begins with a mesmerising blend of textures, beats, and guitars. The track gradually builds up to a thrilling cinematic rock sound that feels like a classic Camaro racing through a deserted landscape.
And while the tones may be coated in smoky modernity, “Midnight Skies” showcases the Gold Coast group’s glamorous grit and reflecting the band’s eclectic yet complementary influences; a fact that carries throughout the broader upcoming EP, as drummer Tom Isaacs explains.
“We all have different inspirations and different artists we draw our inspiration from. For me, All Them Witches have a huge influence on my drumming and my thought process for writing music/structure/songs.”
Tracing the Journey to Man’s Best Friend
You can definitely hear Chavel Cartel’s creative process throughout the album; for example, it seems to be heavily influenced by the gritty and defiant tone of the popular HBO show Peaky Blinders. Particularly, the show’s memorable opening sequence – featuring Nick Cave’s brooding and intense “Red Right Hand”.
Teaming up with ARIA Award-winning producer, musician and recording engineer Govinda Doyle, as well as Callan Holstein and Froggie Evans from Studio One16, to bring their striking new EP to life, the end result is a unique, dark and ambitious joyride on its sonic surface, while also deeply targeting themes of trauma, pain, strength and positivity.
“It feels like it’s about damn time we released this EP,” shares Tom.
“We recorded the EP back in May 2021, and we’ve been aching to release it. But we’ve been so busy since, we haven’t had the chance! It feels great though, we’re all ecstatic and can’t wait to share these songs”. “Lyrically the EP is about the life cycle of emotional traumas,” adds Ben of the EP’s thematic framework. “From pain and darkness to strength and light.”
Album Highlights
“Man’s Best Friend,” kicks off with a mesmerising acoustic intro that gradually transforms into a powerful rock anthem.
The band’s signature style is evident in the dynamic vocals and gritty distortion, which are carried throughout the track. The album’s standout single, “Midnight Skies,” is a brooding and atmospheric piece that showcases the band’s versatility and range. With its jangly guitar riffs and haunting melodies, this track is a moody masterpiece that will leave listeners wanting more.
Bridging the Connection
After releasing two EPs in 2019 (2019’s “Lucky Lucy” and “Confidence Is All I’m Taking Home”), Chavez Cartel are using their time off from touring to hone their craft. The result of all this hard work is “Man’s Best Friend”, a six-song cinematic treat. The early live recordings of the EP’s songs are already turning heads – including radio play on BBC’s Music Introducing. Chavez Cartel are also bridging the UK connection down under, by supporting English indie rockers The Reytons on their recent Australian tour.
In May, the band are touring the United Kingdom, representing Australia at The Great Escape festival. “We’ve been at it hard and we can’t wait to showcase all that we’ve been working on,” concludes Tom.
“Not only do we also have some new sexy merch but we’ve been experimenting with new sounds that add so much depth to the songs and it’s all ready for our fans.”
Man’s Best Friend is due out Friday, May 5.
CHAVEZ CARTEL – UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
WED 3 MAY | THE WASHINGTON, SHEFFIELD, UK
FRI 5 MAY | IMPERIAL, MEXBOROUGH, UK
TUE 9 MAY | THE GOOD MIXER, CAMDEN, UK
THU 11 MAY | GRAND CENTRAL | THE GREAT ESCAPE FESTIVAL, BRIGHTON
FRI 12 MAY | INN ON THE SQAURE | THE GREAT ESCAPE FESTIVAL, BRIGHTON
SAT 13 MAY | THE FOLKLORE ROOMS| THE GREAT ESCAPE FESTIVAL, BRIGHTON
FRIDAY 19 MAY | THE GARRISON, BARNSLEY, UK
SATURDAY 3 JUNE | MANSFIELD TAVERN | MOONDOLL FESTIVAL, BRISBANE |
Find tickets here.
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