21 July 2022 - 0 Comments

Recent Flying Nun Records signees, Recitals, have dropped a new single, Arrow, from their upcoming full length debut album Orbit I. The release is accompanied with an otherworldly, DIY music video co-directed by East Abernethy and Matilda Boese-Wong; this visual debut portraying each member as different characters in the world, giving us a peek into their individual and collective psyche.

Arrow is a striking display of the band’s sound, with a strong fanfare introduction signalling a tense, yet exhilarating sonic narrative to follow. The song features the band’s angular layers moving with flowing motion through the song’s dynamic ebbs and flows, with 3 part harmonies across the three vocalists filling the spaces in between.

LISTEN TO NEW SINGLE ARROW HERE

“Arrow is the first song we ever played to people and the first song we ever wrote. It feels like a grand entrance. Perhaps once upon a time, it had a specific meaning, but over time the meaning has evolved for each member and the feelings it evokes have transformed too.”

“There’s a mythology behind Arrow - and it’s kind of cool that this mythology is elusive even to us. Kind of like how we can read ancient runes or interpret old stories but ultimately we don’t have access to the original intention or truth. We portray an intensity in trying to tell a story we don’t understand, through the music’s mystique .” - Recitals

Accompanying the single is the band’s debut music video; a swirling, mystical first-glimpse into the band, featuring each member in their hometown Pōneke/Wellington, dancing through hills and on boats as a unique possé made up of an eclectic range of characters.

“It was very exciting to move our playgroup to a new location for the filming of Arrow - outside of Pyramid Club, dinner time or the few venues we have played at. The making of this video felt like a school camp in all senses. We got muddy, exhausted, and silly. We embodied our characters and our child selves. Many special moments were shared being back in Pōneke together, as if no time had passed. At the end of the day, it was just friends, looking at sights, eating together, and playing music in our downtime - with some of it being caught on camera. It was a very fluid experience as we worked together with friends, East and Matilda, to make something loosely cohesive. Our only aim really was to capture the essence of Recitals on camera, and have a laugh.” - Recitals

Co-directing and shooting the video was East Abernethy (Benny Salvador, Tom Verberne) and Matilda Boese-Wong (Miles Calder, Belladonna). The combination of crisp 4K takes and hand-held videotape clips merge two worlds into an exciting blend of footage.

“It was an honour to spend a weekend working with Recitals, capturing their delightful essence as a troupe. We were lucky enough to collaborate with all seven bandmates, with each member improvising a character of their choosing. Arrow is the first time audiences will get to see Recitals up close and personal, and we wanted to ensure that the weight of each member’s unique contribution to the group could be felt and seen separately, before combining the eclectic mix of characters to form the powerhouse that is Recitals.” - East Abernethy & Matilda Boese-Wong.

Along with the single and music video release, Recitals have announced two album release shows in August to celebrate the release of their upcoming debut album, Orbit I. Taking place in their hometowns of Te Whanganui-A-Tara/Wellington and Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland and featuring some of their favourite bands in the lineup — the vinyl LP will be available at both shows (a day early for Wellington!). The Tāmaki show will be their first outside of the capital.

RECITALS' ALBUM RELEASE SHOWS

BUY TICKETS TO ORBIT I RELEASE SHOWS HERE

PRE-ORDER ORBIT I HERE

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