Following on from their critically acclaimed album THE POSITIONS and LET ME BE CLEAR EP, Gang of Youths are now set to release their second studio album, GO FARTHER IN LIGHTNESS on Friday 18th August 2017 in Australia/ New Zealand on Mosy Recordings/Verge via Sony Music. If that isn’t enough, after touring the UK and US to SOLD OUT shows, the band will be returning for a national album tour kicking off in August.
Gang of Youths frontman Dave Le’aupepe explains the album in his own words;
“Go Farther In Lightness is my healing record. I suppose it’s my attempt of making sense of the world, and to some effect, my attempt to make the lessons I’ve learned from my heroes, my favourite texts, my friends and from my short time on earth readily accessible and available to you. So, Go Farther In Lightness is about being a real life human being. With all our self-loathing, hopes, anxieties, sorrows and joys. It is about not knowing what the fuck I’m doing, but having a good ol’ stab at it anyways. It is about demonstrating empathy, overthinking metaphysics and, at the risk of seeming overly trite, embracing humanness in myself and those around me in the here and now.
No, I don’t believe that we are “cool”, nor do we clothe ourselves in ornaments of what is currently in vogue re: indie rock in 2017. We are not predominantly white, middle-class progressives producing music self-aware and effete — nor are we making a new fetishised brand of garage punk. We’re something of an in-between, I think. Not cool, but not totally garish and awkward, attempting to make music about, and for the forgotten people whom like us, have always had trouble finding a place.
What I do believe however, is that music that is geared toward connecting with all people on a human level, and bypassing bullshitty, arbitrary ephemera is making a cultural return in some way. Maybe it never left, and I’m playing the dumb card. But I hope that Go Farther In Lightness is part of this new sincere in some way. Because it means a lot to me, and to us and I hope it finds its way into the hearts of you who would dare to let go of your cynicism for an hour and a half.”
Attempting to compartmentalise the past five years into 16 tracks is no mean feat, but the band came away with songs which encourage listeners to persevere as they’ve tried to, empathising with those who’ve brushed up against death, suffering loss every step of the way.
The August release will indeed be a special one. The LP GO FARTHER IN LIGHTNESS will be accompanied by tailored coloured vinyl copies, these are a part of a limited distribution which will be available in exclusive retailers and via the band’s website.
AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
Thursday, 31st August @ The Tivoli, Brisbane
Friday, 1st September @The Tivoli, Brisbane
Wednesday, 6th September @ Festival Hall, Melbourne (All Ages)
Friday, 8th September @ Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (All Ages)
Wednesday, 13th September @ Odeon Theatre, Hobart (All Ages)
Friday, 15th September @ Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide (All Ages)
Saturday, 16th September @ Metropolis Fremantle, Fremantle