Introducing #286 - PUNCHBAG
Let us introduce you to the latest signing for Mute - South London sibling duo PUNCHBAG, who have just released their debut single 'Fuck It'.
Swinging between dizzying extremes, where unapologetically sugar-sweet pop hooks clash with radical leftfield production; where emotional overwhelm can be purged in the space of a single throwaway lyric; where lines are blurred and redrawn between aggression and joy, softness and toughness, PUNCHBAG (consisting of Clara and Anders Bach) are a compelling proposition.
Debut single 'Fuck It' introduces the duo with a grand wash of entrancing synths and piercing beats. Vocalist Clara sings of a life buffeted by anxiety and the fear of wasting time, as instrumental momentum builds and builds. Then, just short of escape velocity, everything flips on its head. Guitarist and producer Anders' overdriven punk guitars attack in plunging dives as the vocal suddenly flips in tone; sharp, snippy and unabashed. “We might as well just say go fuck it!” Clara exclaims. “’Cos we’re all gonna die, die, die!”
They took a moment to talk to us about their music.
Hey there PUNCHBAG- how are you? So your track ‘Fuck It’ is out now - can you tell us what it is about?
We’re fab thanks! This song is about right now, it's about 2025 and the feelings we have about the world. It's about the anxiety of wasting time but using that as a catalyst to DO things. “We might as well just say go fuck it” “Cos we’re all gonna die die die” we make a point of these lyrics not being nihilistic, its more like we only have so much time so say the thing you wanna say, kiss the person you wanna kiss. Aggressive but joyful.
Where are you from and what are your favourite things to do there?
We’re from south-east London. We make all our music at home, so that’s usually what we’re doing. Getting really into tracking planes when walking around the park. Riveting stuff south the river!
What are the key influences when it comes to your music?
It's a big mixing soup of eavesdropping people on the tube, being overly self observational, The Pixies and Katy Perry.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never listened to your music before?
Aggressive Hopecore. It's sweaty, noisy pop that you can purge your feelings too. It's brutal reality with a cathartic release which in turn is fun and joyful.
Now the track is out there - what next for you?
There is a new kebab place around the corner we’re about to go out and try. And also loads more music and shows. Woop.
