WINDWAKER SHARE NEW SINGLE "DO OR DIE"
Australia's genre-bending Windwaker today share their new single, "do or die", off their recently announced third album, smile, you're on camera, out Friday 23 October via Civilians & Fearless Records - available to pre-order here. Windwaker will celebrate the album on their biggest Australian headline tour to date this October and November. Presented by triple j and Destroy All Lines, the run will see the band joined by first time Australian visitors The Pretty Wild (US), alongside RinRin and DREGG. Tickets are on sale now via Destroy All Lines.
Windwaker's "do or die" is an earworm - it takes hold and doesn't let go. With grinding, powerhouse guitar grooves, bouncy, hip-hop-inspired vocals, a sprinkling of smooth falsetto, and teeth-baring screams, "do or die" courses like an electric current from your scalp down to your toes. Lyrically, the song looks at class vs. culture wars, with the band noting that the track "points out the division we're currently facing and urges the people to embrace the tribe mentality but to unify over the common enemy of leaders who don’t serve our best interests." Overall, "do or die" is the chemical reaction between alt rock, hip-hop, electronica, and metal, and it feels as good as it sounds.
"Everywhere we look there is conflict, we are surrounded by it and have never been so divided as a humanity," the band says. "Wars between countries, toxic online discourse over ideology, countries divided over political policy from within, what we think is right and wrong has become a tribe identity and we are at war with one another. Leaders will call it a 'culture war' when in reality it's a way of keeping us distracted from class war that has been happening for decades. 'do or die' points out the division we’re currently facing and urges the people to embrace the tribe mentality but to unify over the common enemy of leaders who don’t serve our best interests."
smile, you're on camera is a record that stands as the soundtrack to Windwaker's journey since HYPERVIOLENCE. Described as their most honest release yet, smile, you're on camera sees Windwaker channel the challenges and triumphs of the past few years. As a whole, the album ruminates on the weight of time and growth, struggles and sacrifice for the better life and authenticity in spite of a world full of superficial and sinister characters and bad actors. It's a collection of catchy, energetic and heartfelt songs. The album offers a more guitar-forward and gritty, analog-focused backdrop compared to its predecessor, while encapsulating the eclectic signature sound of Windwaker up to this point.
Since their formation, vocalist Liam Guinane, guitarist Justin Keurntjes, bassist Indey Salvestro, drummer Chris Lalic, and synths/samples specialist Connor Robins have cultivated one of Australia’s most fiercely loyal heavy music fanbases. Continuing their rapid rise, the band recently completed their first ever US headline run, The Hounds of the Underground Tour, with If Not For Me and Colorblind, while also making their Sonic Temple Festival debut alongside My Chemical Romance, Dayseeker, Pierce The Veil and more. They'll return to North America this November and December supporting Beartooth alongside Don Broco, before heading back to Europe in February with Bury Tomorrow and Stick To Your Guns.
Don't miss Windwaker on their biggest Australian headline run to date. Tickets on sale now via Destroy All Lines. "do or die" is out now and streaming everywhere. New album, smile, you're on camera, will be available Friday 23 October via Civilians/Fearless Records. Available to pre-order on vinyl and CD here.
