Naarm-based 5-piece The Slingers have garnered a devoted following in the contemporary underground/alternative scene. The band defy classification, with a diverse catalogue spanning from country to folk, grunge rock to ballad, Australiana to Americana, acoustic and spoken word to electronica.
On new album Sentimentalism, the band make a foray into ‘Motel Pop’. The genre is less defined by production than by its lyrical content, chronicling with a blend of comedy and tragedy the lives of ordinary people living and struggling through our current age of loneliness. Vocalist Robert J. Mahon explains, “It’s about people finding love as they struggle through the age of loneliness (this age). We certainly don’t want to come across as cynical or making some sort of grand social narrative. It’s about love, and it’s a happy thing.“
Written in a small cabin on a farm outside of Colac, Western Victoria, and Produced by Errol Green (Big Yawn), the album ranges from piano ballads to purely electronic pieces and features appearances from guest musician ‘Evil’ Graham Lee (The Triffids) on pedal steel guitar and Juice Webster on backing vocals.
More than anything, The Slingers are motivated by love, for each other and for the sublime power of music, closely followed by greed and vengeance.
Release: July 7th, 2023, Flightless Records
Thanks to the generous folks at Flightless Records, we have a copy of ‘Sentimentalism’ on vinyl to give away! Enter using the form below (lutruwita/Tasmania residents only).