23 February 2024
Newsdesk
Dublin indie rock five-piece Basht. have released ‘Gone Girl’, the first single to be taken from their upcoming debut EP Dirty White Lies, out March 21st via Our House Online [Freak Slug, ELI, OhEm], and have announced their first UK & Ireland headline tour in support of the record.
Having formed in 2021, the band gained some significant traction at home in Ireland with their early singles ‘Never Love’ and ‘Tomorrow’, with support from the likes of Hot Press, Utopia The Edit and The Rock Revival.
Noticing that their live sound was beginning to move away from how their first releases sounded, the band grouped together in the summer of 2023 to record the EP over six days in Newcastle with the assistance of acclaimed producer Thom Lewis [Sam Fender, The Staves].
In the words of frontman Jack Leavey, Dirty White Lies explores themes surrounding the “portrayal of toxic love and abusive relationships, recognising when you’re in one and also having the ability to recognise when you’re being toxic yourself”. Despite the youthfulness of the group, there’s an incredible sense of maturity in the way they approach these topics in their songwriting, with their wizened outlook and perspective on things shining through.
On lead single ‘Gone Girl’, the lyrics focus on the chaotic nature of growing up too quickly and the pains of having to navigate your own way in relationships without any prior experience to help. Speaking about the song, guitarist Rossa Healy stated that the band wished to “capture the intensity of the emotions felt in the lyrics”, something that is immediately felt in the frantic instrumentation that runs through the song.
Taking cues from early 00s acts such as Interpol and Bloc Party with a splash of influence from the 90s grunge scene for good measure, there’s a palpable confidence flowing through the EP, which the band attribute to feeling as though they were placed under fewer constraints during the recording process than they would have been in their regular studio setting in Dublin. Throughout the week-long sessions, the band also spoke of an immense desire to “pursue perfection”, often working gruelling hours to ensure they were getting the best results.
2023 saw the group’s trajectory rise, with tour supports for Wunderhorse in both the UK and Ireland, as well as slots alongside bdrmm and Goo Goo Dolls. The band also made appearances at festivals including Mutations, Electric Picnic and Otherside, as well as selling out their first London headline show at The Sebright Arms for a Communion Music showcase. They will embark on another tour of the UK & Ireland in support of Dirty White Lies in March, visiting Galway, Glasgow, Manchester and London as well as a release day show in Dublin.
Basht. are Jack Leavey (vocals), Louis Christie (bass), Sam Duffy (guitar), Rossa Healy (guitar) and Luke O’Neill (drums).
Upcoming live dates:
Thursday, March 21st: Workman’s Club, Dublin
Friday, March 22nd: Roísín Dubh, Galway
Wednesday, March 27th: Castle Hotel, Manchester
Thursday, March 28th: The Social, London
Saturday, March 30th: Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow
Saturday, April 27th: Gold Sounds Festival @ Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
