08 November 2024 - 0 Comments

Tāmaki Makaurau duo Marmalade are over the moon to be releasing their debut EP, Sober. A timestamp of the band's first chapter, this EP encapsulates the journey from the birth of Marmalade to the band's Teenagehood.

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Sober captures a state of mind. It’s a slap-in-the-face realization, a kindhearted reminder from a close friend, a sharp look in the mirror, a groggy morning after, a first sip of coffee.

Each song explores this feeling in a different way—some more abstract, some more literal. “This EP was written in our 20s, a time of self-reflection, uncertainty, bravery, and questioning.”

Marmalade’s first chapter has seen three singles Bright, Awkward, and Caffeine High, a first NZ headline tour, and a bunch of stellar support slots for overseas acts, including Hot Potato Band (AUS), 10:32 (UK), and Beach Bunny (US).

Performing at iconic venues such as San Fran, the Tuning Fork, and Totara Street even before they had released music, Marmalade has been steadily growing their indie-folk-rock fanbase over the last few years. This year, they’ve already supported Kiwi favourites French For Rabbits and Ha The Unclear, with more to come, including opening for Holly Arrowsmith on Waiheke Island on November 3.

All performances and recordings were carried out by Jemilah Ross-Hayes (Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar), Koen Aldershof (Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar), Dean Rodrigues (Drums), Liam Nuttall (Lead Guitar), and Chelsea Naepi (Bass).

“This EP has been produced in-house by Koen, and all the recording was done at our home studio, except for the drums, which were recorded at Broome Recordings. It’s been really special and also incredibly advantageous to have a production brain in our (Marmalade’s) pocket,” says Jemilah.

Each song was mixed by a different mixing engineer: Scott Seabright (Bright), Luan Meaker (Awkward), Emily Wheatcroft-Snape (Caffeine High), Finn McClellan (Houston), and Koen Aldershof (Cigarette Habit). The entire EP was mastered by the legendary Chris Chetland (KOG Studios).

Marmalade has recently taken on new "godparents", Bethany Britten on bass, Doug Bagg on drums, and Lachlan Carr on lead guitar, adorning their toolbelt once again with the ability to morph into a high-energy, 5-piece indie-pop-rock band. You can catch Marmalade celebrating Sober with a full band on November 16th at the Tuning Fork for The Picnic, a mini-fest featuring an epic local lineup, including The Dawns, Fan Club, and Psycho Gab.

With a headline show at the Tuning Fork and slots on the Auckland Folk Festival, Music in Parks and Grey Lynn Parks Festival lineups, as well as opening set for Holly Arrowsmith’s Waiheke Island show, Marmalade are bound to make your winter cosy, and summer even sunnier.

“This is a band with a big future.” - Backseat Mafia

“With more tunes to come, Marmalade are already making a name for themselves in our great Aotearoa and beyond." - Muzic.net.nz

“It’s easy to get excited about what’s ahead." - Newzician Magazine

“Tāmaki Makaurau quintet Marmalade remarkably went from small shows straight into supporting international acts without having released a single song – just based on a reputation as a great live band”- NZ Musician Magazine

Photo Credit: Flora Driessen

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