After the first half of the year was dedicated to their return to live touring (with a stack of shows across the east coast), Sydney funk rockers Thunder Fox recently released their first new music of 2022.
The follow-up to their 2021 sophomore album 'Sanctuary', 'Hard Times' finds Thunder Fox bringing an electric energy that hums with a danceable rhythm as the band explore 'new influences and creative pathways'."'Hard Times' is a song of catharsis. I was feeling pretty down and out at the time, growing tired of the bad news, bad people and bad jobs sucking all the joy from our lives," Thunder Fox's Sam Dawes says.
"When I really thought about it, almost everyone has experienced one or more of these problems; I'm really just singing about average people like myself or my friends.
"The idea that we're not alone in this was the inspiration that tied the track together and where I found the hook. There's a pumping beat to boot so we're all gonna listen to this track and get down to it thinking, 'Oh well, I guess we're just living through hard times'. But also let's take action on these issues after we dance away our frustration."
The song's music video was conceptualised by the group's trumpeter, keys player Jesse Tachibana and executed by director Nick Allen.
"For the 'Hard Times' video I really wanted to lean into the synth-driven, high-energy vibe of the song by showcasing some incredible dancers in a neon-lit studio," Jesse says.
"A lot of our previous videos have had a large focus on narrative and I thought it would be fun to depart from this approach a little and really focus on aesthetic, by carefully curating lighting scenes, costumes and movement.
"Huge shoutout to the incredible team that made it all happen, with special props to Nick Allen our director and Jess Ines who came up with the choreography."
Here, the band share ten tracks that inspired the creation of 'Hard Times'. "Loving 'Hard Times' and wanting to hear something similar? From danceability, groove, attitude and edge, these songs have what you want," shares Thunder Fox.
1: Gorillaz - 'Dare'
Legendary innovators, dangerous beat creators. 'Dare' provides vibes that can make a group of gentrified millenials at Sunday brunch act like they just got into Berghain (and we love that).2: Disclosure, Kelis - 'Watch Your Step'
Donning serious drip and lathered in attitude, Disclosure and Kelis bring some seriously bussin' ingredients to this mix. Straight up club banger, no two ways about it.3: KAYTRANADA, AlunaGeorge, GoldLink - 'Together'
Tasteful, creative, baller. Here's a dance track that balances its elements just perfectly. Listening from your phone speaker is strictly off limits (headphones ON).4: Toro y Moi - 'Ordinary Pleasure'
Toro y Moi deliver a conga- and bass-fuelled groove that really hits the spot with 'Ordinary Pleasure'. Understated but sexy. ('Does sex even sell anymore?').5: Rina Sawayama - 'XS'
All things in moderation, a phrase easily dismissed when you indulge in 'XS'. Rina Sawayama concocts an original liquor with hints of sinful, early 2000s nostalgia.6: Billie Eilish - 'I Didn't Change My Number'
Billie Eilish is straight-up untouchable. This song embodies what it means to be cool without trying: the beat, the sub, the voice, the synths.7: Genesis Owusu - 'Don't Need You'
Catchy songs are good songs; if you find yourself singing along to them that is a big ol' green flag. Try listening to 'Don't Need You' and not singing along to the chorus. You can't.8: The Weeknd - 'Sacrifice'
'Sacrifice' by The Weeknd comes in hot and stays hot. Vocal hooks galore streak through neo-'80s hyperspace and there ain't no turning back.9: Anderson .Paak, Lalah Hathaway - 'Reachin' 2 Much'
Okay, put your headphones on and listen to that drum-fill intro. Honestly some of the cleanest sounding drums out and, shock horror, it's Anderson .Paak behind the kit. Don't get to comfy though, following the entree is a massive B section buttered up in the vocals of Lalah Hathaway (yum).10: Silk Sonic - '777'
Bruno Mars: Incredible vocalist/ songwriter, overdoes it with the cheese. Anderson .Paak: Incredible drummer/ vocalist/ cool guy, under does it with the cheese. Silk Sonic: Goldilocks, take notes.
Thunder Fox 2022 Tour Dates
Fri 9 Sep - Off Tap! @ Bonny Hills Tavern (Port Macquarie)Sat 10 Sep - Best Served Loud @ Sydney Fringe Festival on Smidmore Street
Fri 14 Oct - Towradgi Beach Hotel (Wollongong)
