Having established themselves in the Christchurch music scene, Spirit Boy is an indie rock ensemble that is hitting the ground running.
This is their debut single, Adolescence.
Straight off the bat, it is a jingly upbeat tempo with melodic vocals. It has that 70’s/80’s indie sort of vibe to it which fits nicely with the lyrics which speaks to finding contentment in adolescence and while not entirely autobiographical, vocalist/guitarist, Ethan Mead says the track is partly inspired by his journey of having a child at 17 years old.
He says he spent a long time wishing he was older, or wishing he was somewhere else and "Finding that moment of clarity can be truly life-affirming."
That moment of clarity can definitely be felt in Adolescence and you get a feel for the personal element. It is heartfelt and simplistic in delivery.
The arrangement is also beautifully done with every note in its place creating a really unique backdrop that elevates the lyricism.
A small gem to be found, I can’t wait to see what Spirit Boy have in store next.
Hailing from the bright lights of Otautahi, indie-rock outfit Spirit Boy make music they love to listen to. Led by Ethan Mead’s commanding voice, Spirit Boy take inspiration from Americana and folk artists of the 60's and 70's, the earnestness of 80's new romanticism, and the stadium-filling rock bands that shaped their teenage years.
Although Mead came late to song-writing, he has an undeniable ear for a melody and the mind for a story. Mead describes the album as a “collection of joyous songs about being sad - a sort of celebration of the full spectrum of human emotion.”
Depending on who you talk to, the band started during a game of bingo attended by Mead and guitarist Regan Barker underneath Christchurch’s casino. Another account suggests that a chance encounter seeing Barker on stage with guitar in hand inspired Mead to become a song writer. Whichever version you believe, the five-piece consists of Mead (vocals/guitar), Barker (guitar), Sam Burt (keyboard/piano), Talon Adams (bass), and Mason Head (drums).