Dunedin noise-pop band Asta Rangu and space-doom collective Space Bats, Attack! are teaming up for a four date tour of Aotearoa in June 2022, to celebrate the release of Asta Rangu’s debut album ‘ENTRTNMNT’ and Space Bats, Attack!’s sophomore album ‘Oort’.
In the past 18 months, Asta Rangu have played a string of high-profile support slots for household names such as The Beths, The Chills, Ha The Unclear, Marlin’s Dreaming, performed at Welcome to Nowhere 2021 and co-headlined an extensive and fruitful national tour with fellow Ōtepoti band Males.
Their debut album 'ENTRTNMNT' was recorded over 8 weeks with gifted engineer and producer De Stevens (Marlin’s Dreaming) at Otago University’s Te Korokoro o te Tūī and trace / untrace records HQ in North East Valley.
It's eight tracks emerge from a love of eclecticism, with noise rock, synth pop, and psychedelia threaded together by field recordings. The intricate arrangements set the mood for songwriter Richard Ley-Hamilton’s lyrics, contemplative and often surreal, exploring values, connection, progress and escapism. 'ENTRTNMNT' will be released on the 27th of May 2022.
Accompanying Asta Rangu on the national tour is sci-fi-soaked post-rock collective Space Bats, Attack! With live shows few and far between, though amassing a cult following due to their formidable performances, Space Bats, Attack! will be performing for the first time since releasing their eagerly-awaited sophomore album Oort, released in August 2021.
Initially recorded in 2016 at Dunedin’s now-defunct performance space and artist hub, The Attic, the album was painstakingly crafted from extensive improvised jams, whittled and recast from across the globe into 40 minutes of dynamic, exploratory, and intricate celestial riffage.
Together, the bands will play in New Zealand’s four main centres this June, accompanied by a host of yet-to-be-announced local guests.
This tour is made possible in part by the New Zealand Music Commissions Aotearoa Touring Fund.
