Slow Riot’s new double A-side single, ‘Voyeur/Burn in the City’, via Straight Lines Are Fine on February 2nd. The tracks are the first new material from the band since last year’s ‘Pink December’. Much has happened in the interim; the band expanding to a four-piece after the addition of second guitarist Liam O’Connor (formerly of Fonda), an intense period of songwriting, honing their live craft via numerous festival appearances (notably Electric Picnic, Other Voices), and the recording of a debut album which will be released later in 2018. ‘Voyeur and Burn in the City’ showcase their new approach and provide a tantalizing glimpse of what is to come with their debut full length release.

“Liam came to us with the chord progressions and guitar melody of ‘Voyeur’. I liked the contrast between the spectral, somewhat eerie verse parts and the melodic, hopeful chorus”, says vocalist/bassist Niall Clancy. “Lyrically I wanted to convey this disparity between hope and desperation and found a similarity in, what can be, the voyeuristic nature of romance today.”

Fresh out of the studio, the ‘Voyeur/Burn in the City’ single was recorded with longtime collaborator Kevin Vanbergen (The Pixies, The Maccabees, Dinosaur Pile-Up, The La’s and Biffy Clyro) at Savage Sound Studios, Hastings at the beginning of 2018. Vanbergen has been a catalyst for the band’s creativity since hooking up with them for the recording of their debut Cathedral EP.

The band have collaborated with up and coming Irish artist Darragh Dempsey for the artwork and videos for ‘Voyeur/Burn In The City’. Recognised by the art world as a rising talent, Dempsey’s ‘Flesh’ painting was inspired by Francis Bacon’s ‘Study after Velazquez’s Portrait of Pope Innocent X’; the anguish and surrealism of the image echoing the themes of the band’s new music.

Slow Riot return to the UK in April to headline Communion’s club night in London plus regional dates, but not before they play their first headline Dublin show at Whelan’s on March 22nd. Summer festival dates will be announced very soon.

Live Dates:

March 22nd at Dublin Whelan’s
March 23rd Single Launch Show at Limerick Kasbah
April 1st at Notting Hill Arts Club, London
April 2nd at Lincoln Imp Scunthorpe
April 3rd Hull ‘Sesh’ at The Polar Bear

The Band:

Niall Clancy – Vocals / Bass
Aaron Duff – Guitars
Liam O’Connor – Guitars
Paul Cosgrave – Drums