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Swallow the Rat's sophomore album South Locust

Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau post punk psych trio Swallow the Rat have released their second album South Locust. 

The band say, “We are stoked to finally have our second album out in the world. Recording with Nick Abbott again was a real pleasure, he is very good at placing microphones in front of loud guitar amps! Having Sonny Diperri mixing also proved pivotal, he introduced us to lots of new ideas on how this record could sound. Lyrically, the album kind of makes time disappear as we explore themes about life down under, past and present.”

Their single 'Terra Nullius' is currently riding high on the airwaves, landing at No. 1 on the SRN Top Ten the week ending August 27th, and No. 2 on the Radioscope Alt airplay chart. If you haven't yet had a chance yet to check out the video, here you go – it's well worth a watch. 

Newest single 'Redactor's Dilemma' is attracting attention too, with the video picking up 6k views so far. 

South Locust is an eerie street sign half glimpsed at night somewhere in North Texas, an apocalyptic marker. But it also suggests other images and meanings; what’s a locust down here at the bottom of the world, in Aotearoa?

Lyrically, the floodgates have opened. Swallow the Rat survey the legacy of colonialism, neoliberalism and the internet, as well as broken friendships, and things torn apart as if by a locust cloud.

South Locust is out digitally, and on very limited edition solid white 12" vinyl, via US/UK label Shifting Sounds.

Swallow the Rat are celebrating the album's release with a tour of Te Ika-a-Māui / the North Island, kicking off on Saturday 8th September at Tāmaki Makaurau's Wine Cellar. Check out the full tour dates below. 

Aotearoa New Zealand

Saturday 8 September    Wine Cellar    Auckland with Scran and Tooms

Friday 15 September    Yot Club    Raglan with Hemordroid and Brissel

Saturday 16 September    Voodoo Lounge    Tauranga with Hemordroid and Eddie & the Dreamers

Friday 22 September    Last Place    Hamilton with Empress and Orbjks

Saturday 23 September    Common Room    Hastings with Paddy & the Cryptids and Spooky Skeletons 

Tickets from Under the Radar


Swallow The Rat, South Locust, post-punk, psych, Songbroker Music Publishing
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