Comprised of multi-instrumentalists Alex Farrell-Davey and Allister Meffan, drummer Jayden Lee and bassist Marika Hodgson, emerging New Zealand band Alae are poised to take their sophisticated brand of indie pop to the world.
Coming together as a two piece in 2016, Alex and Allister delivered their folk-inspired
sound throughout New Zealand. With solo gigs and nationwide support slots for Hollie Smith and a sell-out Auckland show with Boston’s Lake Street Dive, Alae made a strong impact in only a few short months. The pair self-funded their self-titled, 6 song debut EP, which was recorded at Roundhead Studios and released in November 2016, along with 6 stunning music videos to accompany.
The emotive duo then wrapped a stellar year with the addition of drummer Jayden Lee and bassist Marika Hodgson, performing as a full band and a fuller sound at the legendary NZ Rhythm & Vines Festival.
In early 2017, Alae’s debut EP was nominated for the Best Independent Release for the prestigious Taite Music Prize. Refusing to rest on their laurels, Alae hit the road through February and March, taking their music throughout New Zealand, and on to Australia, where they played in support of their singles, “Things Change” and “From 1 to 3.” Both singles gained significant air play on New Zealand radio, while the videos were play-listed on Edge TV and MTV NZ & AU.
Another successful New Zealand tour during August commanded sold out shows as well a follow-up trip to Australia in September. Alae wooed both audiences and industry giants with a performance at the prestigious Big Sound Festival and Conference. Spot plays on radio stations Triple J, Double J, ABC radio and 4ZZZ further bolstered Alae’s infiltration of Australian ears.
Capping off a stellar 2017, the band’s freshly released single “Too Strung Up” was premiered on November 9 by Rolling Stone Australia and launched straight into Spotify’s prestigious New Music Friday playlist in New Zealand, Australia and the United States where followers number over 2.3 million. Further high profile international playlist additions across the platform have helped expose “Too Strung Up” to over 1.4 million new listeners across the world, breaking NZ records for local independent artists on the Spotify service. The acclaimed single “Stone Cold” has traced the same steps with another debut through Spotify’s New Music Friday in Australia, New Zealand and the USA and has featured on Apple Music’s ‘Best of the Week’ playlist after a Billboard.com video premiere.
Sharing their sound both at home and abroad is a priority for Alae in 2018. The now four piece have kicked off the year with high profile local live slots with the Blackbird Ensemble, support of Australia’s John Butler Trio and a national tour with Nomad. The band plans to further extend their reach into local and offshore territories with the release of their debut album ‘Henry St this October which will be supported by a national tour.
Alae’s newest single, “All Gived Up” officially releases on 7 September, with “Henry St” to be released 26 October.
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