Peni Parker burns bright in epic punk-tinged heavy alt rock anthem, 'Disrupt'

Eora/Sydney-based alt rocker Peni Parker is fired up on her latest soul-stirring single, ‘Disrupt’, which is two and a half minutes of frenetic, epic pop-rock packed full of attitude and cutting lyricism, which was produced and mixed by Fletcher Matthews (Trophy Eyes, The Buoys, Dear Seattle).

Opening with distorted, palm-muted guitars and Parker's poignant vocals, 'Disrupt' builds to cascading choruses led by walls of guitars, punctuating bass and dynamic drums. These anthemic, uplifting choruses are juxtaposed with Parker's sombre lyricism, creating infectious singable moments that pull at the heartstrings.

Peni Parker pours accelerant on the already burning hot punk-tinged heavy/alt sounds that are leaving scorch marks on the current Australian Music scene, with ‘Disrupt’ flaring in multicolour flames and sparks. It’s heart-pumping palm-muted goodness during the verses, with Peni tearing and spitting vocally, before completely launching into a soaring chorus worthy of an Anima intro scene. This is epic stuff.

Talking on the meaning of ‘Disrupt’, Peni Parker reflect on the year that influenced the track.

"2022 was objectively a terrible year for me. It was just waves of heartbreak; just when I thought it couldn't get worse, 2022 stabbed me in the back a few times for good measure while I was down. It really had me doubting myself. I couldn't intellectualise it all, so I used the EP to channel some of that hurt, playing a lot off those broken-down anti-hero themes to go with my comic.



'Disrupt' particularly was a sore spot. I teared up writing it. Hearing the first mix and performing it hits just as hard. I was in such a dark space that I just used the bridge as a cathartic release and to remind myself of my worth.



Unlike a physical wound, there's no straightforward 'broken to fixed' route with mental health. It's a spectrum from being anxious and wholly overwhelmed to just coping and absolutely thriving. We all have a whole lot of in-between moments & direction changes along the way. 'Disrupt' runs back & forth through these moments, just like when you catch yourself overthinking.”

Previous singles have seen glowing praise from online tastemakers Rolling Stone (AUS), Blunt Mag, Music Feeds, Tone Deaf and MILKY. They've also received support from Australian radio stations triple j, triple j Unearthed, FBi, 4ZZZ, RTR, Radio Adelaide, Bay FM and Aussie Music Weekly.

In the live arena, Parker has graced noteworthy Eora/Sydney stages, Metro Theatre and Manning Bar and supported Hot Milk (UK), Ocean Grove, With Confidence, Bakers Eddy, Between You And Me and Johnny Hunter, as well as featuring on important scene shows like BONEZ Queer Party.



Peni Parker melds her love of pop culture, anime and superheroes with both personal heartbreak and political injustice. "It's such a huge part of my story and confidence seeing badass heroes", Parker explains. "It helps me take on taboo topics. I want to be another voice supporting these fights; I try to use my rage positively.”

Peni Parker is the winner of the Greater Good initiative for 2022, a program designed to provide a launchpad for exceptional emerging artists, by utilising Good Intent's Artist Services' pro-bono, a cash grant of $4,000 AUD to help further develop their career, plus a stack of goodness from their partners Studios 301, Billy Zammit, Make Merchandise, PLAKKIT and Ben Mitchell.

‘Disrupt’ is out now on all streaming platforms.