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STOKA - STOKA
STOKA - STOKA
After a year of playing around town, Melbourne alt-rockers STOKA have finally dropped their debut EP, a collection of breezy indie rock mixed with elements of reggae and psychedelia.
On their debut release, STOKA burst out of the gates full with finesse and swagger. STOKA kicks off with ‘Acid Rain’ and sets the scene for what’s to come – full with swirly guitars, pounding beats and frontman Aaron Kerschner’s bold vocals, it’s an assertive introduction. ‘Slick Moves’ and ‘Legless’ follow suite, with groove heavy drums and bass matched with smooth reggae guitars that give the tracks an especially blissed out vibe. Next up is ‘Swept Away’, a welcome change of pace that shows off another side to STOKA. This time Kerschner trades his sharp vocals for a gentler croon, and he's backed with a rattling drum beat while ethereal guitars drift and weave around each other.
STOKA wraps up with the EP’s first two singles and the band’s most self-assured moments. ‘Good’ is a cruisey jam led by a driving rhythm section and showcases Kerschner’s most powerful vocal performance yet. And finally comes ‘Feeling’, a dazzling moment of psychedelic rock and STOKA’s glorious finale, full with pulsing instrumentation and a sea of blissfully meandering guitars. To celebrate the release of the EP, we had a chat with drummer Zane to get the lowdown on everything STOKA.
STOKA wraps up with the EP’s first two singles and the band’s most self-assured moments. ‘Good’ is a cruisey jam led by a driving rhythm section and showcases Kerschner’s most powerful vocal performance yet. And finally comes ‘Feeling’, a dazzling moment of psychedelic rock and STOKA’s glorious finale, full with pulsing instrumentation and a sea of blissfully meandering guitars. To celebrate the release of the EP, we had a chat with drummer Zane to get the lowdown on everything STOKA.
TJ: Hey Zane, want to tell us a bit about STOKA?
Z: Yo! We're a four piece rock outfit from Melbourne's South East. Been kicking around the scene for just over a year now.
You’ve just dropped your debut EP. What’s the story behind it?
Mostly it’s an accumulation of what we think are the best songs we've written in the time between us forming, all the way up into getting into the studio. It kinda captures a particular sound that’s developed over that period, and one of the songs was written as we recorded it, so it's really as us as it gets.
Although it’s only your first EP, you’ve been gigging around for a while now and played a bunch of really cool shows. Any highlights?
Ooh definitely some highlights. Played with our brothers from Boo Seeka a few times, which has been absolutely mental. Our last headline show at the Workers Club was dope, as well as hopping on the Shake n Bake tour at the start of the year.
To celebrate the release of the EP you’re throwing your own minifest at The Evelyn. Any idea what to expect?
We've pulled together some our oldest mates on the scene for an honestly killer night of music and general debauchery, it's gonna be the biggest headliner we've played so far.
How’s the rest of 2018 looking for STOKA?
We'll be getting songs together for another EP and try get that out this year too. As well as playing a couple support shows along the way. Looking to go touring up the east coast later on in September and maybe see if we can jump on a festival or two. Also our frontman Az has been putting some work in getting a fundraising festival together where all the proceeds will go to Melbourne's homeless. We just warming up.
Z: Yo! We're a four piece rock outfit from Melbourne's South East. Been kicking around the scene for just over a year now.
You’ve just dropped your debut EP. What’s the story behind it?
Mostly it’s an accumulation of what we think are the best songs we've written in the time between us forming, all the way up into getting into the studio. It kinda captures a particular sound that’s developed over that period, and one of the songs was written as we recorded it, so it's really as us as it gets.
Although it’s only your first EP, you’ve been gigging around for a while now and played a bunch of really cool shows. Any highlights?
Ooh definitely some highlights. Played with our brothers from Boo Seeka a few times, which has been absolutely mental. Our last headline show at the Workers Club was dope, as well as hopping on the Shake n Bake tour at the start of the year.
To celebrate the release of the EP you’re throwing your own minifest at The Evelyn. Any idea what to expect?
We've pulled together some our oldest mates on the scene for an honestly killer night of music and general debauchery, it's gonna be the biggest headliner we've played so far.
How’s the rest of 2018 looking for STOKA?
We'll be getting songs together for another EP and try get that out this year too. As well as playing a couple support shows along the way. Looking to go touring up the east coast later on in September and maybe see if we can jump on a festival or two. Also our frontman Az has been putting some work in getting a fundraising festival together where all the proceeds will go to Melbourne's homeless. We just warming up.
Check out ‘STOKA’ above, and you can catch STOKA launching the EP at STOKAFest on June 14th at The Evelyn Hotel.
