Melbourne's Slum Sociable Premiere Atmospheric New Track 'A Hearing'

By: Caryn Robbins Nov. 10, 2017

Slum Sociable are Edward Quinn (production/keys/guitar) and Miller Upchurch (vocals and percussion). Steeped in groove, the Melbourne duo's music grasps the hips and guides them left to right to left in a hypnotic sway through an intersection of soul, hip-hop and electronica.

The enigmatic Melbourne duo arrive with their new track, "A Hearing" - while the track itself is another effortless instalment from the record, the duo admit that the writing and recording process was a difficult one. "A Hearing was the hardest song to get right on the record. We originally wanted to release it as our first ever single, but couldn't make it sit as well as we wanted it over numerous recording sessions. Whilst recording our album, producer Russell Fawcus really pushed us to explore the post chorus in this track, which ended up being that missing link we were looking for for over three years."

Stream 'A Hearing' here

Born from a university assignment four years ago, the project began with a chance coupling of two individuals - Miller Upchurch and Edward Quinn - with an obsession for sound. Slum Sociable first ignited public interest with the release of their debut EP, TQ and since then, the Melbourne duo have performed across Australia, showcased at New York's CMJ, Brighton's Great Escape Festival and completed subsequent European tours alongside festival slots at Laneway and Splendour In The Grass.

Now, Slum Sociable are building from the vibrant groundwork previously paved to unleash their highly-anticipated, self-titled debut album, driving the content and production levels into previously untouched terrain.

The self-titled offering incorporates a mixture of songs that were recorded with esteemed Australian producer, Russell Fawcus) and mixed by Ben Allen (Animal Collective, Gnarls Barkley, Cut Copy).

Slum Sociable is a deeply empathetic album. It paints a portrait of humanity as craving love but unsure how to keep it. However, there's never confusion, only complete understanding. Dark lyricism of inner exile shapes the songs to be as powerful and intimate as possible. Upchurch?'s tonic lyrics lean towards themes of introspection and anxiety - his pitch perfect almost classical vocal elevating them even higher.

Originally slated for release earlier this year, vocalist and percussionist Miller Upchurch recently opened up about his mental health struggles and, in turn, the band has devoted a great deal of time to raising aware about mental health issues. The closeness of this topic shows on 'Moby Bryant,' where Upchurch's powerful vocals press through the track's brooding instrumentals, crafted by bandmate Edward Quinn.

The 12 songs that comprise Slum Sociable are the product of total synchronisation between Upchurch and Quinn. The duality makes for a diverse listen; one where sounds expand further with each repeat, leaving us with infinite space to discover all the compliments of the duo's established style.