Track of the Day: NewDad - 'In My Head'

Galway-formed indie band NewDad are back with their first single of 2023 in the form of 'In My Head'.

The new single is an epic reintroduction to NewDad following 2021's debut EP Waves and 2022's follow up Banshee. Armed with a dark and stormy sound full of electric guitar fuzz and ethereal vocals describing everything from anxiety struggles, feeling isolated and emotionally unavailable relationships, they're the perfect band for Cure and Pixies fans in their early to mid 20s in particular.

There’s a heaviness to the music, which the band pin to a love of the aforementioned bands, My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive - among others.

"You say you're trying, but I'm not buying it / You haven't even gotten out of bed / When was the last time you left this place? / You're in an awful state," Julie Dawson sings, adding "It's easy for you / It's easier for you to forget because you're not in my head" before a more rock-driven melody kicks in.

The protagonist describes descending into madness under blankets, trying to escape thoughts burned into their brain like a movie that won't stop replaying the same scenes. Written in their Galway rehearsal room and recorded at The Church in London (Paul Epworth’s studio) and mixed by Mike Crossey (MUNA, The 1975, Wolf Alice), the song finds Julie grappling with inner turmoil - out now via Atlantic Records/Fair Youth Records.

"In my head is out now!!!" the band posted to Instagram. "If you’ve seen us live you might recognise it, been playing it for a while so it feels really good for it to finally be out there in the world. Thank you for your patience and we hope ye love it as much as we do. Big thank you to the legends @jacobmanson and @riley_mac for help bringing the song to life love and appreciate u all so so fucking much, happy listening x"

The four-piece recently added London-raised bassist Cara Joshi to their lineup in recent months, taking up the mantle after Áindle O'Beirn. NewDad, who are currently recording their debut album at the legendary Rockfield Studios (Black Sabbath, Oasis), have previously opened for Paolo Nutini at Alexandra Palace (and are set to support him again on his Irish tour in June alongside Julia Jacklin), Fontaines D.C. at Custom House Square and Inhaler at Fairview Park.

Since their second project arrived, the band have supported Paolo Nutini and Inhaler and have racked up numerous festival appearances. NewDad's final single of 2022 landed in the form of Charli XCX cover 'ILY2'.

Julie Dawson, Áindle O'Beirn and Fiachra Parslow initially started the band at school as a way of avoiding solo performances for their Leaving Certificate practical music exam before Seán O'Dowd, who was studying music technology in Limerick, started recording the trio. He eventually becoming a full member.

The indie outfit self-released their first string of tracks: 'How', 'Swimming' and 'Cry' before racking up millions of streams on 'Blue', 'I Don’t Recognise You' and 'Slowly' - which were all added to the A list at BBC 6 Music. Their music is often recorded and co-produced in Belfast with talented frequent collaborator Chris W Ryan, with Banshee mixed by the lauded John Congleton (Lana Del Rey, Phoebe Bridgers).

Steve Lamacq counts himself as a major supporter, as is Irish DJ Annie Mac and BBC Radio 1's Jack Saunders - who interviewed the band on his BBC Radio 1 Show - Matt Wilkinson at Apple Music, and print publications. NewDad have appeared on Other Voices and Pitchfork Music Festival in Paris since their iteration.

Catch their upcoming Grand Social show in Dublin on May 24th. Tickets €20 on sale now via singular artists.

Revisit Hot Press' March 2021 interview with the band here.