Brisbane indie rock sweethearts, Mid Drift bring summery vibes on debut EP, 'Lemon Lime and Tan Lines'
Brisbane’s Mid Drift bring super sun-soaked melodies and woozy guitar licks galore on their debut EP, ‘Lemon Lime and Tan Lines’; the indie rock sweethearts have offered up the perfect soundtrack for those long summer days.
Mid Drift’s debut EP, ‘Lemon Lime and Tan Lines’, is as smooth and refreshing as the name suggests—like knocking back a cold one after a long day in the surf, minus the sunburn and regret. Across six tightly woven tracks, the Brisbane outfit delivers a blend of Coastal Indie goodness, with reverb-soaked guitars that ebb and flow like a gentle tide, a rhythm section that’s sneakily intricate, and Sarah Engstrom’s effortlessly dreamy vocals tying it all together.
There’s a warm sense of nostalgia woven through these songs, blending golden-hour melancholy with crisp, modern tones. EP opener ‘Nicotine’ immediately sets the mood, balancing introspection with a breezy groove, while ‘Falling (The Wrong Kind of Way)’ and closer ‘Ice Cubes in Hot Tea’ further cement Mid Drift’s ability to bottle a feeling and let it simmer. Right at the halfway mark, ‘I Need Me Too’ momentarily shifts gears into something darker—not jarringly so, but enough to stir the pot and reveal another dimension of the band’s sound.
Overall, ‘Lemon Lime and Tan Lines’ is a cohesive, sun-drenched collection of Indie Rock that stands apart from the usual ratbag indie rock that tends to dominate the Aussie alternative scene. Mid Drift brings a refreshing take—smooth, stylish, and just the right amount of salty.
Mid Drift’s frontwoman Sarah reflects on the title of the EP revealing that the cover art is simply a candid film photo she took of their best mates applying sunscreen. “There’s nothing more sweetly nostalgic to me than driving home from a day at the beach, windows down, slightly sun kissed, salt sticking to your skin.”
“Whilst writing the EP, we kept this feeling at the forefront. Lemon Lime and Tan Lines is meant to capture this and our hope is that these songs can be the ones that accompany those long, balmy drives home.”
Produced by Jack Nigro (Rum Jungle, DMA's) and featuring Gold Coast artist V.Blvq, ‘I Need Me Too’ is the standout track from the EP. The track is a ferocious belter blending soulful balladry with gritty rap, giving a fierce edge to Mid Drift’s signature laid-back sound.
Between multiple sold-out headliner shows and major support slots alongside Aussie crowd favourites such as DICE, Old Mervs, and Teenage Dads, Mid Drift have swiftly captured the hearts of their hometown and are rapidly building a loyal following nationwide. With their truly electric live set and infectious energy, Mid Drift show no signs of slowing down as they soon embark on a run of summer festivals to celebrate the release of the EP.
Mid Drift are hitting the road this month in support of their release.
‘Lemon Lime and Tan Lines’ is out now on all streaming platforms.
Mid Drift upcoming shows
February 7 - Mo’s Desert Warehouse, Burleigh Heads (with Loose Goose)
February 14 - Solbar, Maroochydore (supporting Betty Taylor)
February 21 - The Australian Hotel, Ballina
February 22 - Flaming Hearts Festival, Spangled Drongo Brewery (Murwillumbah)
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