New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Melbourne/Naarm alt-rockers Catholic Guilt share their nostalgic new tune 'Can You See Me?", out via Wiretap Records, and prepare to share it live at The Tote in Melbourne on November 18.
Drawing inspiration from the Australian indie and punk scene from the 2000s, "Can You See Me?" is a tale of lost identity and feeling at odds with yourself. Vocalist Brenton Harris explains: "For me personally, that feeling was brought on by a period of intense emotional and physical upheaval caused by a variety of interpersonal issues and a few serious life and career setbacks.
"All of these issues coalesced around the time of the lockdowns and ended up impacting life on the other side of it, resulting in me living life as a version of myself that felt so unfamiliar, so unconfident, so shaken, so entirely unlike 'me'. Writing the song allowed me to process and heal and move onto the next evolution of 'myself'. It's our 'feel sad hit of the summer'."
Produced, mixed and mastered by Evan Lee and Ash Daws at The Loud Noise Estate (Inertia, Young Lions, The Motion Below), "Can You See Me?" sonically invites listeners on a journey of loss and acceptance. Guitarist Dean Gordon highlights that "Can You See Me?" intentionally "utilises light and shade, with the verses creating an introspective space for self-reflection juxtaposed against an energetic chorus to mimic staring into a mirror screaming for answers."
The music video created in collaboration with Karl Baldwin plays on the use of silhouettes, leaving room for interpretation and imagination. "Your silhouette only provides an outline of who you are, not the details that make you unique. We felt that this imagery created a parallel to the search for oneself explored in the lyrics," explains the band. Watch here!
Catholic Guilt is Brenton Harris (vocals), Dean Gordon (guitar/vocals), Megan Sidwell (guitar/vocals), Ben Caruana (bass) and Michael Condello (drums). The quintet combine elements of punk, alt, folk and rock, resulting in a sound they describe as 'honest music'. The band released their debut EP, 'Hymnbook Vol. 1' independently in 2018 and followed it up in 2020 with 'This Is What Honesty Sounds Like' via Wiretap Records. 'This Is What Honesty Sounds Like' earned the band national and international airplay across over 130 stations and received widespread acclaim from outlets including Alternative Press, Music Feeds, Brooklyn Vegan, Pop Matters and landed them a coveted triple j Unearthed feature artist spot.
The band built off the success of the release by signing with booking agency Destroy All Lines and playing a run of shows in Australia, including multiple sold-out shows in their hometown of Melbourne. Catholic Guilt has since gone on to release a handful of singles and have appeared on major Australian festivals Full Tilt and Knight and Day as well as touring the East Coast of Australia and play main support with US alt-rock titans Switchfoot, Pure Noise Records act Real Friends and local icons Behind Crimson Eyes, Chasing Ghosts and The Bennies. Catholic Guilt will headline The Tote on November 18 and support Guttermouth (US) in March 2024.
"Can You See Me?" is out today and streaming everywhere via Wiretap Records.
Praise for Catholic Guilt:
"...a casually genre-defying fusion of punk, emo, indie rock, folk..."- Brooklynvegan
" A beacon of light for anyone who finds themselves at the crossroads of pop punk and folk, Australian outfit Catholic Guilt blend the two seamlessly. Add prominent influences by bands as diverse as Against Me!, Thrice and the Menzingers and you've got sounds and styles that are as beautiful as they are varied."- Alternative Press
"...many moments that remind you of other bands/artists like Frank Turner, Pompeii, Against Me and The Menzingers...hugely melodic uplifting Rock n Roll, you are immediately aware that this is a band that will not leave you feeling flat, even when the subject matter cover such things as the feeling of isolation and social distance, they seem to be able to add an emotional uplift to it." (4.5 out of 5 stars)- ThePunkSite
"On the surface, their songs draw you in with catchy hooks and a welcoming Pop/Punk energy, however a closer listen will reveal a deeper emotional vulnerability hidden within their lyricism. 'This is What Honesty Sounds Like' is a triumph in songwriting from an up-and-coming band that revels in blazing a path that is clearly their own, all the while inviting us to walk alongside them."- Hunnypot
"Melbourne's Catholic Guilt describe their sound as 'honest music' and on their latest EP we get to find out what that sounds like. Turns out honesty sounds like pop punk with folky undertones, thick with gorgeous melodies and slick hooks."- Punk Rock Theory
"...(the) tracks mix both pop-punk with the bonfire-style folk, an interesting but wonderful combo. The quintet is definitely a group to be watching for the rest of the year..." (Rating: 4.5/5)- Musiqtone.com
"Catholic Guilt's "A Boutique Affair" taps into the zeitgeist of distance, isolation, while adding a spirit of uplift and community...deeply melodic, highly energetic rock 'n' roll..."- PopMatters
"Catholic Guilt do that thing where they help you pick apart the seams of your barely held-together self worth but make it sound like a right fun time along the way."- triple J
"The group looks at the world with a mix of dismay and hope, as if they recognize that life is difficult but we don't have to let it kill us."- Dusted Magazine
"Australian group of rockers delivering raw, emotional lyrics amid pounding drums, jangling guitars and sophisticated arrangement."- Top40-Charts
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