Brisbane rockers Port Royal today (1 September) release their new single, ‘Pinch-Hit’.
“We went really hard on this track,” frontman Lawson Doyle says. “It definitely took longer than we anticipated, but I think it turned out great.”
Inspired by a baseball term, ‘Pinch-Hit’ represents the chaos Port Royal had recently been through. “We had been struggling for a while to nail-down a fourth member to join the band.”
Originally a trio, Port Royal found their missing piece and added lead guitarist Taine Josephson to the band. Port Royal’s other members include Connor Arnold (drums) and Chase Brodie (bass guitar).
Three months in the works, ‘Pinch-Hit’ is one of the band's more energetic, feel-good tunes. It kicks off with an embellished drum roll that leads into the track’s main gritty and groovy hook. “The actual mastering and mixing side of the process ran really well. We usually get into the studio and the recording is just mayhem,” Lawson says.
Initially a four-minute track, ‘Pinch-Hit’ is now a three-minute tune that signifies where they are now. “The biggest challenge was welcoming a new member. It was a crazy process and bringing someone new in was difficult, but I can see that Taine has learnt a lot in a short time.”
Port Royal will be hitting the road alongside the release of ‘Pinch-Hit’ with shows all over Australia. “We haven’t been out of Brisbane much or at least Queensland; we are really ready for [the tour].”
With a line-up of interstate shows arranged, Port Royal is planning to build their brand further. “We want to get out and meet a lot of people. Personally it will be great to be able to experience that lifestyle and what it feels like... it’s the next chapter in the book for us.”
Port Royal recently supported rock group The Delta Riggs. “It’s funny; two years ago, on August 12, we met them and two years later on the same day we supported them.”
Formed in 2015, Port Royal took just eight months to record and release their debut EP, ‘The Express’, in May 2016. Since then, Port Royal have supported Castlecomer and won the 2016 Amped Up competition at The Triffld. “On the night there were up to 12 bands competing. I remember being particularly nervous, however it ended up being probably one of our best shows.”
Before Port Royal, Lawson and Connor played music together at high school. “We were in different social groups, we didn’t really hang out. However, we were forced together through music.”
A year later Lawson met bass guitarist Chase on the first day of university. Followed by a call to Connor, Port Royal was born. “Our sound is fun, pulsating and sexy. It’s all about attitude, sex and fun. We strive for an environment that allows our audience to feel comfortable. “I never want a crowd that’s not dancing. It’s not their job to dance, it’s our job to make them want to.”
Port Royal is hoping to release a new single after Christmas followed by the release of a new music video to accompany ‘Pinch-Hit’. “After the tour we want to hit the ground running again really hard. We will be looking into another tour and hopefully team up with national events and artists. We are going to ramp it up to the next level.”
‘Pinch-Hit’ is available now.
Port Royal Shows
Thu 14 Sep - Leftys Old Time Hall (Brisbane, supporting The Cherry Dolls)Fri 15 Sep - Cambridge Hotel (Newcastle)
Sat 16 Sep - The Townie (Sydney)
Sun 17 Sep - Frankie’s Pizza (Sydney)
Thu 28 Sep - The Tote (Melbourne)
Sun 1 Oct - The Evelyn (Melbourne)
Fri 13 Oct - Woolly Mammoth (Brisbane)
