Belfast post-punk trio Chalk have released their new single ‘Asking’

Post-punk electric trio Chalk have released their new single ‘Asking’ today. As their UK debut fast approaches at this year’s The Great Escape festival, the Belfast band hope to continue their level of acclaim and success with this single as they have with previous tracks, 'Them', 'Velodrome' and 'Static'. Filled with heavy, industrial intent, Chalk hopes this new track will receive the same support from iconic UK tastemakers as their previous ones have.

Having quickly established themselves as an unmissable new talent in the UK/Irish scene, support has been coming from the likes of Steve Lamacq, Jack Saunders, Amy Lamé, The Independent, The New Cue, DIY as well as a headline UK/Ireland tour lined up.

The new single brings with it the band’s arching cinematic themes, influenced by the hardstyle/electronic style of Death Grips, and sung with malicious, monotone vocals that have been likened to The Murder Capital. The malevolent maelstrom of ‘Asking’ is built upon a bed of buzzing and distorted acoustics. Produced by frequent collaborator Chris Ryan, the alternative edge is razor sharp on Chalk’s new track.

Speaking on the new track, Chalk’s Ross Cullen says, "We all wrote the lyrics together - it’s a reaction to feelings of ours that look at the past and a longing for others who aren’t in your life anymore. How we grow as people and those we leave behind as a result. We wanted 'Asking' to follow the recollection of someone whose memories are fading when trying to remember about someone in the past."

The trio’s debut EP, conditions, is set for release May 5th. The record’s themes are heavily centred around introspection, falsehoods and the human condition, and will feature the band's final new song, the EP’s titular track, ‘conditions’.

Chalk formed in 2019 after meeting at film school. The three members were all influenced by their love for film, and the emerging Belfast dance scene- both of which lent themselves to Chalk’s soundscape of wailing guitars, a relentless rhythm section, and a raw, visceral spoken-word style.

Their debut single ‘Them’ won Steve Lamacq’s 6 Music Roundtable Record of the Week and was recorded with ‘Asking’ producer Chris Ryan, whilst their second, 'Velodrome' continued this run of independent success, earning a place on BBC Radio 1’s Next Wave segment with Jack Saunders and further support from Lamacq.

Stream ‘Asking’ below.