August River Band release long-awaited debut studio EP, 'Media' - dual launch show with The Urban Sea at The Zoo, August 18

Brisbane’s eclectic collective, August River Band have delivered their long-awaited debut studio EP, ‘Media’, which is a body of work that pierces the veil of our social disconnect with an invitation to grasp disconnection as an opportunity to reconnect in deeper ways that we’ve done before.

The new ‘Media’ EP will be celebrated with dual launch at The Zoo with fellow Brisbane outfit, The Urban Sea (who have released their latest single, ‘Christmas Cards in July’), as well as Northern NSW crew, Love Drunk Hearts.

August River Band create reflective, insightful and intelligent alt folk/roots, dipped in the pools of prog. ‘Media’ presents as a concept EP, exploring the disconnect from the real world, and the impact of online lives and stories that can be stretched, misconstrued and embellished, instead imploring the reconnection of our real selves. The release moves from Proggy foot-stomping folk, through to Dave Matthews Band-isms (‘Lemonade’ is a brilliant example of this), to dance-floor ready spacey folk funk. Rich in production, without going overboard on the polish, ‘Media’ blends organic textures with synthetic flourishes for an enriching and compelling listen.

Frontman Eev Ferreira thinks the lingering pandemic has ushered in a moment where we’re suitably poised for just such a renaissance.

“Sullen in a melancholy haze we gnaw and bite at our seams with a desire for true intimacy combusting within,” he says.

“The media does not create the world; it is merely a very efficient algorithmic mirror reflecting the true nature of the collective. We are the media, we are the culture, we are the creators of the future, not our thoughts or great intentions but our decisions and our actions create the reality that will exist 100 years from now just as our elders have created the reality we navigate today.”

“Media” builds upon the bands 2019 release ‘Blue Light’, that foot stomping battle cry for all and sundry to look up from their devices and into the eyes of the ones they love. With ‘Media’ they deepen their tale of celebrating the “collateral beauty” to be found by soul pilgrims along the Metaverse speedway of this glorious age of tech and avatars.

Come see what the fuss is about at The Zoo Friday 18 August. Tickets for the dual launch with The Urban Sea (along with Love Drunk Hearts) are on sale now.

The ‘Media’ EP, and ‘Christmas Cards in July’ are streaming now on all digital platforms.