After releasing their heart-on-sleeve debut EP ‘We Might Be Alright’ earlier this year, Brisbane pop-punk aficionados Waxflower today reveal a change of pace with their new single ‘Soak’.
Having explored the subtle addition of electronic elements in previous releases, Waxflower today boldly step forward into the embrace of layered synthesisers, and a darker, heavier sonic direction. Keen listeners will also note a second vocal on the track - that of the band’s guitarist Jordan Beard. Despite this new contrast, the undercurrent of hopefulness for which the band have become known is still ever present on ‘Soak’.
Mental health has been a consistent theme woven throughout Waxflower’s lyrics, and ‘Soak’continues this narrative, exploring the anxiety and panic disorder experienced by frontman Tristan Higginson.
“‘Soak’ is about the lowest of lows, standing before a hopelessness that feels insurmountable” says Higginson. “When my panic attacks were at their worst, I wanted a medicated lobotomy — I just wanted it to be done. The song zeroes in on those moments where you would give up anything for the pain to stop.
“The most intense struggles often feel the most insular. Being told “everything’s going to be ok” doesn’t do much when you’re gasping for air. 'Soak' lives in those moments without an agenda, it’s just down there, feeling the pain with you".
Formed in 2020, Waxflower was founded via a shared passion for genuine, emotionally charged alternative rock. The band merge influences from Jimmy Eat World, Kisschasy, The Maine & Nothing, Nowhere to match their unique perspective with progressive melodies and hooks.
Wasting no time, debut singles ‘Cut Your Teeth’ & ‘Back To Back’ saw the band play sold-out shows across Australia, sign with Australian booking agency Select Music, perform alongside global heavyweights Simple Plan, The Maine, Stand Atlantic & The Dangerous Summer and finally signed with European label Rude Records (Saves The Day, Less Than Jake, The Maine).
Debut EP ‘We Might Be Alright’ saw the band return to acclaimed producer Stevie Knight (Stand Atlantic, Between You & Me, Short Stack) to polish off a release that would garner global coverage. Support from international outlets RockSound (UK), ChorusFM (US) & Kerang! Radio (UK) followed, with the band receiving extensive airplay and scope from Australian youth broadcaster triple j (AU) for singles ‘Again’, ‘Not Alone’, with ‘Food For Your Garden’ premiering on triple j’s ‘Home & Hosed’.
Across platforms, the EP has amassed 270,000+ streams in only 6 months, with fans constantly returning for more. Support from Spotify was immediate, (‘New Punk Tracks’, ‘Local Noise’ & ‘Pop Punk’s Not Dead’) as well as recognition from Apple Music (‘Rise and Grind’, ‘Breaking Rock’ & ‘New in Alternative’), & Amazon Music (‘Punk Scene’, ‘Fresh Rock’, ‘Breakthrough Alternative’).
2021 saw the band perform at Mountain Goat Valley Crawl, The Zoo’s Anti-Social Series & Scorched Festival before also selling out their largest headline show to date. Additionally, Waxflower were nominated by Sounds Australia to perform alongside DZ Deathrays, Stand Atlantic & more as part of Amazon Music’s ‘Rock Scene Presents’ showcase.
Entering the tail-end of 2021 with an expansive new sound, Waxflower’s vision remains constant; to create moments of honesty and vulnerability within their music - doing so through an expansive range of sonic influences. ‘Soak’ is the first drop in a flood of raw, emotive songwriting for Waxflower.