The Murlocs Announce New Album ‘Manic Candid Episode’, Share Latest Single and Video ‘Withstand’
Album out March 22 on Flightless Records via Inertia Music
The Murlocs have that announced that their fourth record, entitled Manic Candid Episode, is due to arrive on Friday, March 22 on Flightless Records (via Inertia Music). The news comes alongside latest single and video for ‘Withstand‘, and details of a very special album launch show at Melbourne’s The Moreland Hotel on Friday, March 15. The night promises to be “a guitar/harmonica-duel-infused-soul-screeching-garage-rhythm and blues dance party”, tickets are available now.
Recorded last year at Melbourne’s Newmarket Studios, Manic Candid Episode was produced by Stu Mackenzie (King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard) and mixed by New York musician Jarvis Taveniere (Real Estate, Woods, Parquet Courts). The album will include previous single ‘Comfort Zone‘, which was released last month, and marked the band’s first new music since 2017’s Old Locomotive.
“The original version of ‘Withstand’ was a bit longer with what felt like too much space in between the parts, so we edited it down to be a shorter/snappier dance party.” says frontman Ambrose Kenny-Smith, “to withstand through thick and thin, you’ll be prepared for anything.”
Directed by frequent collaborator Alex McLaren, the visuals for ‘Withstand’ see us serenaded by the band over a technicolour dreamscape, made complete only by the elephant in the room.
The Murlocs are Ambrose Kenny-Smith (vocals/harmonica), Matt Blach (drums), Cook Craig (bass), Cal Shortal (guitar) and Tim Karmouche (keys). Sharing members across King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Crepes, ORB and Baked Beans, ‘Uncle Murl‘ as they’ve been affectionately dubbed, set themselves apart for their signature blend of old-world rhythm, blues and psychedelia, bolstered by the unmistakable vocals and harmonica breakdowns of Kenny-Smith.
Forged in their homelands of Victoria’s Surf Coast near Geelong in 2011, across the course of two EPs, three albums, and a dynamic presence on the live circuit, The Murlocs have established themselves as a much-loved staple of the Australian psych and garage scene. They have shared stages in support of The Pixies, Mac DeMarco, Ty Segall, Stephen Malkmus and Gary Clarke Jr., and have made appearances at festivals such as Gizzfest, Splendour In The Grass, Austin Psych Fest, Meredith Music Festival and Boogie.
After this month’s extensive European tour, the band will return for their album launch show, and a headline spot at Victoria’s By The Meadow Festival this March. This will be followed by a return to the US across April/May, where they are already secured to play Atlanta’s Shaky Knees Festival alongside the likes of Tame Impala and Beck. With the promise of full Australian tour dates impending, and now with confirmation of a new record, fans are assured that Uncle Murl indeed lives on, joining King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, The Babe Rainbow, ORB, Amyl and The Sniffers and more as a key member of the Flightless Records family.