Dead Little Penny rides on the wave of previously released singles U 4 Me and Honeycomb with their brooding new single and supporting video for Depression.
With members Hayley Smith and Simon Buxton both originating from England, it is evident that their musical roots have crossed over, taking influence from a range of UK Shoegaze, Dream-Pop, and Post-Punk bands of decades past. Although not so obviously derivative, artists such as Curve, Lush, Joy Division and The Sound, seemingly come to mind and sit alongside the amalgamation of textures, melody, and overall mood the band melds together to form their own distinct, modern sound.
Depression draws similar parallels but side steps slightly from previous singles with a more melancholic and sombre tone, reflected in the soupy low-end wash, while a melodically striking vocal performance buries into the surrounding grains. Shades of Psychedelia also spring forth throughout the well-established arrangement, further supported by the correspondingly drab music video with its lo-fi, gloomy overtones.
All things considered, Dead Little Penny appear to be well on their way towards setting a high standard in overall aesthetic, and if talk of a debut album eventually transpires into a long player release, it will be interesting to see what territory they find themselves in next.
Dead Little Penny is the coming together of guitar-slinging vocalist and songwriter Hayley Smith, and drummer/synth player Simon Buxton, who create a soundscape of noisy textures, fizzing guitars and ambient synth, paired with catchy fuzz-pop melodies.
What originally began as a dreamy alt-country project, tracks from their self-titled EP received radio play, with the band fast becoming popular amongst musicians in Auckland’s underground country scene.
What seems like an unlikely change of genre, Hayley feels more at home writing with a broken drum machine and an electric guitar. As a teenager, she began making pop- punk and wall-of-sound music in her bedroom with a guitar gifted to her on her 13th birthday. Playing at beer-fuelled house parties in Central Auckland, Hayley became a regular gig-goer, fast drawn to favourites The Mint Chicks and Die! Die! Die!