Newcastle post-punk quintet dust are fast cementing their status as one of the country’s most singular and essential bands. Urgent, mesmeric, and arresting both on and off the stage, the collective have wasted no time in ensuring that their music and message reaches as far as it possibly can.
Forming against the backdrop of COVID in May 2020, the group – comprising vocalists and guitarists Gabriel Stove and Justin Teale, bassist Liam Smith, guitarist and saxophonist Adam Ridgway, and drummer Kye Cherry – gathered whenever they could to hone their craft, performing at every possible chance as they sharpened their sprawling yet intricate sound.
Unleashing debut single ‘STARE’ in early 2021, dust soon found themselves gracing the live stage with greater frequency. In March 2022, the band opened up the Newcastle leg of the THIS THAT festival, with support slots for high-profile names such as Bad//Dreems, Pist Idiots, Party Dozen, CIVC, and ARSE following soon after.
All the while, dust were hard at work behind the scenes, putting the finishing touches on their forthcoming debut EP. In June, the band gave fans a taste of what was to come by way of ‘The Gutter’, which scored critical acclaim from commercial radio stations around the country.
‘The Gutter’ was written during the recording of our first two singles. When Justin wrote the riff, it stuck with us. We were constantly evolving the structure right up to the recording. Writing our music is a group process that we all connect to during. The dynamic between us five works smoothly and climatically, with ideas usually being something that excites everyone. We sometimes have a prepared idea, but the finished product is always something that surprises us.
The track is a direct observation on classism and the imbalance of power and equality that very much still exists today. The lyrics, delivered with power behind them, have a strangely hypnotic quality; for fans of bands like DIIV, Protomaryr, King Krule and Aphex Twin, a group like dust is likely to become ingrained in your memory.
Now, dust are set to officially make their indelible mark upon the Australian music scene by way of et cetera, etc. Produced by Wade Keighran (Hockey Dad, Polish Club, Wolf & Cub) the eight track EP is a culmination of dust not just as people, but as resonant artists.
Leaning heavily on themes of mortality, family, and social commentary, et cetera, etc arrives not just as an accomplished debut, but a vital addition to local music as a whole. Offering a contemporary take on Australian post-punk, along with elements of experimental jazz and electronic music, dust have curated a sound that is as dark, introspective, and angular as it is powerful and progressive. Together, they’re set to provide Australian music with the sort of powerful jolt that will reverberate for years to come.