Eora/Sydney-based alternative-rock band Second Idol have today returned with their valiant new single ‘Dear X’ – produced, mixed and mastered by Nick Franklin (Polish Club, Peking Duk, The Buoys).
Stretching upwards of five minutes in duration, ‘Dear X’ is an ambitious musical narrative sporting distinctive elements of post-punk and shoegaze, as haunting melodies hover above searing layers of guitars and reverberated drums. The verses create tension with pulsating bass and a descending chord progression, as the resounding chorus provides cathartic relief with polyphonous anarchy.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Kate Olivia talks about the origins of ‘Dear X’:
“‘Dear X’ began as a soundcheck jam at Nighthawks in Melbourne in 2021. We were all awfully hungover after playing the previous night, and we were all feeling a little tender. I felt inspired by the jam, it sparked something for me and I recorded it on my phone. When I was back home in Sydney I listened back to it on repeat and began composing lyrics that reflected a sparse sense of loneliness and melancholy.
'Dear X’ is ultimately about loss. For the listener, it could refer to death or a loss of love. When I wrote the lyrics I saw it as an interaction between two individuals, or a monologue about how mental health can impact friendships; how they can be chipped away when one has depression and anxiety. The title could be interpreted to address an ex-lover or partner, but for me, 'Dear X' is about emotional illiteracy. I was inspired by how the illiterate were instructed to sign their name with an 'X'. This person I'm referring to, this friend in 'Dear X' is incapable of emotional sensitivity and empathy."
To celebrate the release, Second Idol will host a single launch at Factory Floor in Eora/Sydney. The band have cut their teeth in the live music scene, having previously shared stages with the likes of Jen Cloher, Baxter Dury, Columbus, The Goon Sax and Grinding Eyes.
Previous releases from Second Idol have gone on to receive widespread support from triple j, triple j Unearthed, FBi Radio, 2SER, Edge Radio, 2XX FM, RTR FM, 4ZZZ, SYN FM, Radio Adelaide, WXRY Discovery (USA) and Hochschulradio Düsseldorf (DEU). The band have received praise from several online blogs such as NME, Pilerats, AAA Backstage, Australian Music Scene, Backseat Mafia, GC Live, Something You Said, Milky, The Soundcheck and Music Feeds.
'Dear X' is available worldwide now
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