Mermaidens

Flying Nun

Fresh off the tarmac after an extensive tour of the UK and Europe, Mermaidens announce their new record, Look Me in the Eye. The trio’s third full-length album is due out September 6th on Flying Nun Records worldwide. Today the band has also revealed the first track from their upcoming release called “I Might Disappear”, accompanied by visuals filmed from the band’s recent UK/EU tour. The footage was filmed by Ezra Simons and edited down by Mermaidens’ own, Gussie Larkin. 

Additionally, Mermaidens are proud to launch the release of a limited edition, custom Mermaidens effects pedal, aptly called ‘Moon Cycle’, built and designed by kiwi amp-maker, Emerald Rose. Pre-order the limited edition gatefold pressing of Look Me in The Eye (with dreamy blue vinyl) through Bandcamp and go in the draw to win the custom effects pedal HERE!

Look Me in the Eye sees Mermaidens scale new territory, fearlessly pushing sonic boundaries and producing a body of work as severe and progressive as it is vibrant and exhilarating. At the heart of the record lies the thematic exploration of female voices, as band members Gussie Larkin (co-lead vocals/guitar), Lily West (co-lead vocals/bass) and Abe Hollingsworth (drums) expose motifs of exterior masks, human relationships and power dynamics with unflinching fervour.

The title of the new album is intentional in its double-meaning, as notions of confrontation and intimacy collide to unearth the tangled paradoxes of human connection. The voices and perspectives of both front-women shape the record with equal footing, creating a dialogue around female collaboration and friendship.

Look Me in the Eye was recorded with long time collaborator, audio engineer James Goldsmith at Blue Barn Recording Studio in the trio’s hometown of Wellington. Predominantly writing songs independently and then coming together as a trio to work through arrangements and develop ideas, Mermaidens mobilised their strengths in collaboration to produce a body of music that is every bit as experimental, as it is accessible and uniting.

This year has also seen the release of their 7” split single You Maintain The Stain / Cut It Open. The A-side, ‘You Maintain The Stain’ (featuring the now precursory hint lyric “you won’t look me in the eye”) secured the #1 spot on New Zealand’s Alternative Airplay Chart, as well as topping the nation’s Student Radio Network Chart, following their mini tour of Aotearoa.

LIVE DATES
12-Sep Thun, CH @ Mokka
14-Sep Basel, CH @ Humbug
19-Sep Dijon, FR @ La Peniche Cancale
20-Sep Tilburg, NL @ Psycho Mind
21-Sep Margate, UK @ Elsewhere
22-Sep Oxford, UK @ The Library
23-Sep Glasgow, UK @ The Hug And Pint
24-Sep Sheffield, UK @ Picture House Social
25-Sep London, UK @ Old Blue Last
27-Sep Dortmund, DE @ Naiv Music Festival
28-Sep Utrecht, NL @ Stathe
29-Sep Offenbach, DE @ Hafen 2
30-Sep Brussels, BE – Botanique