Meeanjin/Brisbane band August River Band has served up a delicious new single, “Lemonade.” With the band’s strong fiddle and minor acoustic guitar notes, I’m getting serious Dave Matthews Band vibes from this one. Trust me, that’s a really good thing.
The song explores the idea of making lemonade out of life giving you lemons through four characters: a barman, a spinster, a merchant, and a blacksmith. It’s a cool concept executed so perfectly by this inventive band.
This is August River’s first release since they dropped their debut album Thank You, Pain in 2020. Well worth the wait, it comes ahead of a new EP release later this year. They’ll play The Bearded Lady on March 24.
King Social are likely loading up the van as I type, preparing to play shows around the country on the In Colour tour. The early shows will give fans a sneak peek at the album which will drop on September 3.
The album should be something special if current single “Lemonade” is any indication. I love the blending of genres here. The rap is honest and raw and the soul silky smooth. Stevie Mitchell, who wrote and raps on the song, says it’s one of the most specific and personal tracks the band has released.
“I started writing Lemonade just as I was about to begin my current job. I’d bounced around for a while and done every job under the sun and I’d come to a point where I just wanted to put my head down and finish something,” he explained. “It wasn’t meant to be so father-oriented; I was just being honest with myself, that I wasn’t a little kid anymore and it was time to grow up. My dad is a great role model.
“He hasn’t heard the song, but I told him the lyrics once. He gets too carried away though – I fed him the first three lines: “Call me that bastard, these bars are the weapons I harbour, I’m hoping to tread the same footprints and steps as my father…” He stopped me there to berate me for ever thinking I was a bastard – he listened too much, that he didn’t listen.”
Kevin was reluctant to release such a personal song, fearing people who hadn’t lived his life may struggle to relate, but he reconsidered after hearing the track come to life.
“The boys – and the production team at The Grove Studios – have just made it sound so fucking good,” he gushed. “I think maybe they’re more in love with the sound than the message, but I guess that’s what music is all about – presenting meaningful lyrics in an exciting way.”
King Social will play the following headlining gigs and festivals in the coming months.
4 August 2017 – Whitsunday Reef Festival, Cannonvale (FREE)
5 August 2017 – Gigs & Digs Festival, Yamala
25 August 2017 – Hudson Ballroom, Sydney
27 August 2017 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour (FREE)
1 September 2017 – SS & A Club, Albury (FREE)
2 September 2017 – The Retreat Hotel, Brunswick (FREE)
9 September 2017 – New Globe Theatre, Fortitude Valley
10 September 2017 – The Bearded Dragon Hotel, Tamborine (FREE)
23 September 2017 – Longreach Cup, Longreach
29 September 2017 – Caloundra Music Festival, Kings Beach
1 October 2017 – The Salt House, Cairns (FREE)
21 October 2017 – Darwin Railway Club, Parap
25 November 2017 – Brews & Barbie Bash, Toowoomba
8 December 2017 – King’s Christmas, Townsville
