A new two-piece formed from the remnants of Top End group Rambutan Jam Band, East Point is the union of singer-songwriter Ward Hancock and drummer Rowan Dally.
The pair returned to Dally's Darwin-based studio earlier this year after a number of years apart playing in other bands in Melbourne and Darwin, quickly laying down a new batch of songs that included the lo-fi rock, post-punk aesthetics of debut single 'Let Go'. They quickly followed up with the reggae-laced roots rock of 'Violet'.Their latest effort is an ode to the banyan tree, a native in the northern areas of Australia. Not only an oasis of shade and coolness, banyan trees are a place to meet, rest and talk about life – which is the fabric that holds East Point's newest single 'Banyan Tree' together.
Written in the wake of Hancock losing hope in the world, finding it, then losing it again, 'Banyan Tree' explores the fall out experienced when major issues like civil unrest and climate change go unchecked by the majority of society.
"'Banyan Tree' is a product of relentless bombardment from world news and events; and pays homage to society's attempt to sweep important issues under a rug of obliviousness," Hancock explains.
"I was trying hard to keep up with international issues at the time but it took its toll. Civil unrest, injustice against protesters and journalists. Not to mention climate change and issues closer to home like Indigenous deaths in custody. It's a scream-into-my-pillow moment."
Chugging, distorted, wailing guitars intro 'Banyan Tree' before Ward's laconic sounding vocals enter the fray with a pleading intensity that boils with a fiery passion as he sings: "I see thick black smoke but now fire, innocent eyes and liars / Visions and dreams of desire, it's looking bad but not dire / The water's rising but I guess we'll swim."
Don't sleep on the vigorous, feverish almost fanatical drumming either from Dally, who holds down the tubs like a jaguar on a night-time prowl.
Ahead of the song's release tomorrow (9 September), scenestr is stoked to premiere 'Banyan Tree' today. Enjoy.
"We went all out on this one," adds Rowan. "It was great to smash the drums and let our frustration out about where this world is heading.
"Rawness was the goal with 'Banyan Tree'. I'm sure listeners will share our grievances and scream along with us."
