Love Thy Neighbour: The Friendsters

For this installment of Love Thy Neighbour we check out Sydney-based trio The Friendsters, who have familial connection to New Zealand. The three-piece is spearheaded by Auckland native Roberta Stewart, who is the equally talented sister of Lucy Stewart from local act Las Tetas.

In The Friendsters, the singer is joined by Australians Sally Pitmann and Liam Kenny (Peak Twins, Bitch Prefect). Together the well-dressed trio write smudgy garage-pop songs that are born from kitchen table conversations and Catholic guilt, and find inspiration in a sonic spectrum ranging from Morrissey to Dolly Parton. This blend of influences create songs that are immediately relatable to anyone who has experienced love, fury, heartache or remorse.

Since joining heads the three-piece have put out a tape through the Heavy Lows label called Up2, which Stewart says draws from "the New Zealand greeting often communicated through text 'up2'." More recently, they have released a self-titled 7-inch through Brisbane outfit Eternal Soundcheck, which features four tracks, the last of which is the vengeful number 'Revenge Is The Best Revenge'. Their lo-fi recordings put you right in the room with the band, Stewart's downcast vocals piercing through the punk-tinged rhythms her bandmates lay down. Take a listen to 'Revenge Is The Best Revenge' below...

And check out this video for earlier song 'Every Street' directed by Andrew Gove, who will be making a new video shortly for the single 'Drain My Blood'...

The Friendsters were in New Zealand in June to play at the Kings Arms Sports Bar In Auckland with Las Tetas and Civil Union. Their next jaunt will see them touring the East Coast of Australia in the next few months, but given the trans-Tasman family ties it wouldn't be surprising to see them back on these shores sometime soon.