An Adelaide indie band with a love for dance music that incorporates guitars, Street Legal's brand of new wave, post disco is about instilling more colour into the sonic palette while not bending the knee to a specific genre.
Formed during COVID by Matt Hayward, Street Legal recently unveiled their debut single 'Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow' that proudly wears its Joy Division influences on its rolled-up, cigarette-styled sleeve.After recently partaking in the Adelaide Fringe 2023 10x10 Filmmaker Challenge workshop with American director/ producer Norwood Cheek, and with more new music and an interstate tour planned, Matt sits down for a chat about Street Legal.
For those new to the band, what's the elevator pitch for Street Legal?
We're a five-piece new wave act writing and performing on Kaurna Country, Adelaide.
We fit the space between dance music, electronic and post-punk music with a healthy dose of self-deprecation. Some people could say we've travelled back from the early oughts without the all the neon, exclamation marks and questionable fashion choices.
The band's background; how did the members come together to form Street Legal?
We all knew each other socially from kicking around in different bands and hanging out at each other's gigs.
Max plays in emo outfit Superdose Gangway and I knew both Shara and Libby from The Vains and punk rockers Bitchspawn. I decided during the depths of COVID to put down 'Animal Crossing' and the bottle, and do something positive and recruit a band.
Your debut single is 'Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow'; it leans heavily into Joy Division flavours. Why was this song selected as the debut to introduce the band sonically?
Thank you, the Joy Division reference is very flattering.
Maybe this song might have been about what could've happened to Ian Curtis if he'd carried on into middle age and been alarmed at his onset male-pattern baldness or the plight of his beloved job centre. Thematically, the song is about reminiscing about the past, but not in a particularly healthy way.
Many of our songs are about what I like to call 'politics of the heart', so we thought it was an equally weighty and frivolous subject matter to have as a single.
You've also created a music video for the song as part of the Adelaide Fringe 2023 10x10 Filmmaker Challenge workshop; how much fun was that creatively to bring a different vision of the song to life?
Working with Kristoffer Lucia, Harry Kellaway and Chris Best under the guidance of Norwood Cheek was pretty amazing actually; I was really happy at how professional and quick the turnaround was on the music video.
Generally, I can be pretty hands on with all creative aspects of the band, so it was nice to let go of the steering wheel to see what the guys could come up with. I'm just low-key disappointed I didn't get to ask Norwood more questions about Paul Rudd and the 'Ant-Man' movies.
The creation of new music; how does that dynamic work within the band?
I generally bring the song ideas along – whether it's a fully-fledged song or just the beginnings of one. Then we tend to flesh it out together in band practice.
The process is meant to act like a democracy in theory, but can also resemble a benevolent dictatorship. In the kindest way of course.
When will the band next be looking to release new music?
We're just finishing up in Interim Studios with engineer Colby Robertson (Ricky Albeck & The Belair Line Band, Dead Roo), so we're hoping to have our next single out a little later in the year. We've been listening to a lot of Icehouse for research on this one.
The band's interest in new wave, post disco; who are some influences that direct the group's own sound?
We all have pretty eclectic tastes currently, but we're all into making dance music that incorporates guitars.
I grew up listening to nothing but Split Enz, Devo and The B-52s as a kid – my parents had pretty solid taste in both Australian and international music in the record collection – but eventually I drifted towards some of the more experimental and punk stuff including ESG, Gang Of Four and of course, New Order.
Is new wave the sonic direction of the band moving forward or are you open to exploring other genres/ styles?
While the band is definitely rooted in new wave and some of those sounds, we're by no means a novelty band. I actually find all that vaporwave stuff a bit cringe. People forget how much brown was in the colour palette growing up in the 1980s. We're definitely keen on not settling for or sticking with a particular sound.
The band's name is a little unusual; how'd you arrive at Street Legal?
Early on I wanted to create this persona that was very much based off Lou Reed – the New York City hustler on the street corner which developed into this warped lounge act. Still a work in progress perhaps.
It was also partially inspired by Steve Albini's noise rock band Big Black – a name that flirts with taboo without explicitly mentioning it. Doesn't have anything to do with the Dylan record I'm afraid.
You recently supported Horror My Friend; what was that experience like and did you come away with any new fans?
Horror My Friend have been one of the best South Australian bands of the past ten years; it was amazing to get the chance to play with them on their final tour before they went on hiatus. I think we intrigued a lot of people, since we're quite different from them sonically.
Street Legal have become regulars on the local live scene in Adelaide; how has the live show progressed the last 12 months; and how much band practice is involved?
We're definitely growing in confidence from when we first started and becoming more comfortable with where we fit in the local scene. We try to practice as much as we can and when we can, but it can be a juggling act when we all play in other bands.
In this post-COVID world, band merchandise has never been more important; what items do you have available for eager fans?
We have a very fancy bootleg Sonic Youth Goo-style tee which features Australian icons Humphrey B. Bear and Bookworm from 'The Book Place'. The ultimate fashion item for the winter season. Alienate yourself from your co-workers and embarrass your friends.
Was it a pinch-me moment when Schapelle Corby gave the band a shoutout on IG?
This might get us in trouble with the Cameo people, but we were meant to play a show with Melbourne punks Sandy Dish that unfortunately got cancelled last minute and needed some promo.
We sent a message to Schapelle pretending to be a couple of lovers with old-school nom de plume pen names (for example, Street Legal and Sandy Dish). She was very kind to do it, although perhaps a little misled by us. We wish her all the best in sunny FNQ.
Thanks for your time; anything else you'd like to add?
We have the a single planned with an interstate tour for a little later in the year. Check us out and drop us a line – always keen to catch up with what is happening in your town.
