It’s true that we don’t often turn our attention “down under” to such distant territories as Australia, but sometimes we are presented with a good occasion to do so and today is one of those days. At the same time, the band in focus presents a sound so universal these days, first popularized by such artists as Kraftwerk, Devo, Depeche Mode and OMD, to name but a few electronic music pioneers of that time.
Enter Suburban Spell, the solo project of Melbourne-based artist Peter Endall, whose previous band Schizo Scherzo was active in the heady days of Melbourne’s 80’s music scene, playing alongside such acts such as The Eurythmics, Pseudo Echo, Real Life and Fergal Sharky.
With music often categorized as synthwave, synthpop, new wave or darkwave, whatever you want to call it, this is clearly an artist you want to know. Tuesday brings the release of his new single ‘Natural Science’, which, apart from the aforementioned artists, also brings in elements of such artists as Cabaret Voltaire, Gary Numan, Visage and Tangerine Dream. However, just as Rational Youth captured a generational sense of anxiety around nuclear doom scenarios through their instrumentation and lyrics, Endall manages to do the same name – albeit over a whole array of worrisome threats to society (not just nuclear).
This new single is a statement on the weight of scientific evidence and the powerful push by doubters to challenge such knowledge based on baseless contradictory viewpoints. This is the second single from his ‘Falling Down’ EP, named in reference to the long-term outcomes of bad choices and giving into guilty pleasures.
This coming EP follows the ‘Split Levels – Remixes’ EP (February 2023), a series of reworkings of his acclaimed ‘Split Levels’ album, involving goth-rock / post-punk legend William Faith (Christian Death, Mephisto Walz, Shadow Project, Faith & The Muse, The Bellwether Syndicate), along with New Zealand’s Robots In Love, Australia’s Ontic, Pittsburgh’s Tragic Impulse and Italian artist Kurs.
Earlier, Suburban Spell released the lead track ‘Bright Gold Cross’, with a slick video of shadow-play, Created byDingo Cross Films in Melbourne, it was produced and directed by Paul Puccio and Cassie Dart.
About this new single, Peter Endall explains,”The concept behind ‘Natural Science’ was written about the baffling science deniers who gained a lot of momentum during the Covid 19 pandemic. How documented facts from the world’s leading institutions were flatly rejected, based on a belief system that didn’t align with a particular view point, coupled with selective research to echo whatever that belief system was. When that mind-set becomes a natural way of thinking, it’s very difficult to offer an alternative view point, and Natural Science appears to be denied. I don’t want to sound all knowing and it’s good to challenge the accepted science, however I believe there are immutable laws of science that are irrefutable), what I call Natural Science.”
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Suburban Spell’s music is a commentary on the fragility of suburban lifestyle, never-ending efforts to keep up appearances, and an exploration of society’s dark and fragile underbelly. This music is also a commentary about Endall’s own vulnerabilities in the urban landscape and the wider societal norms that interlace with politics, religion and pop culture.
As of May 23, ‘Natural Science’ will be available across fine digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, where the ‘Falling Down’ EP can already be ordered ahead of its June 23 release.
EP TRACK LIST
1 Falling Down
2 Salvation Army
3 Bright Gold Cross
4 12 Causes of Pain
5 Natural Science
6 Side Car
SINGLE CREDITS
Written, produced and recorded by Suburban Spell
Mixed by Adam Calatzis at Toyland Studios,
except ‘Salvation Army’ – mixed by Alex Quayle of Salt Studios
Mastering by Joe Carra at Crystal Mastering
Video created by Dingo Cross Films
Video produced and directed by Paul Puccio and Cassie Dart
Video stills by Paul Puccio (DCF Studios)
Other artists photos by Kristen Solury
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