Songs about dead ways of living on a dying planet.
An ambitious double-album that was recorded over various geographies around the continent, from an attic studio in Collingwood to an outback dunny on a stormy afternoon in Queensland, Pedestrian Life is nothing short of an emotional journey, a deeply personal and intense look into songwriter Dusty Anastassiou’s trials and tribulations over the years since releasing his much loved debut album, Benefits of Solitude.
Originally formed as the songwriting project of guitarist/vocalist Dusty Anastassiou, Dag began as a trio in 2012, with Bridie McQueenie and Heidi Cutlack joining on drums and bass. The band released a cassette EP, Dogwood, via fellow Mianjin/Brisbane-based label Tenth Court in 2014. Here they found a small but dedicated following amongst fans of bright, weather-worn pop songs, in the style of Bill Callahan and The Cannanes.
Defined by a rotating line-up of friends and contributors, the Dag band has changed with each subsequent release. Their debut album, Benefits of Solitude (released in 2017 by Bedroom Suck) saw the final incarnation of Dag’s tenure in Brisbane – with Josh Watson (bass/keys/violin), Skye McNicol (violin), and Matthew Ford (drums). Mixed and largely recorded by multi-instrumentalist Watson, Benefits found the band’s palette and instrumentation expand – with lush arrangements filtered down to a bone dry snap, like the Wakka Wakka country from which it was inspired.
After relocating to Naarm/Melbourne in 2016, Dag returned to a trio formation with long-standing members Dave McMillan (drums) and Daniel Ford (bass). It was with this lineup that the band recorded their sophomore album, Pedestrian Life. 3 years on from their first album, Dag are excited to share what has been a long labour of love with the world.
Release: June 25th, 2021, Bedroom Suck Records
Words: Bedroom Suck