Radio Free Alice are a Melbourne indie rock outfit whose music has a knack for evoking nostalgia in an instant. Depending on when your formative years happened, they might remind you of early 2000s blog-rock, ’80s college rock, or a blend of those influences. Their full-length debut, What’s In Between, is due later this month, and we’ve already highlighted tracks like “Rule 31” and “Kick In The Shins.” A new track arrives today as well, featuring a notable guest appearance.
The latest from Big Ideas is a broad, jangly cut titled “Big Ideas,” elevated by exquisitely paired counterpoint vocals from Rachel Brown, the Water From Your Eyes member who also serves as Stereogum’s Australian culture correspondent. Brown’s voice sits exceptionally well beside Radio Free Alice frontman Noah Learmonth. Learmonth shares his take on the collaboration:
From early on we felt that a second vocal would complement the song, creating a kind of call-and-response. We had admired Water From Your Eyes for years and even attended their Melbourne show. Rachel seemed like the perfect fit; they have such an interesting, distinctive voice.
“Big Ideas” began during a period when we felt creatively stuck. We were writing a lot, but nothing felt right. It was the first song in a while that we were genuinely pleased with. It was written in our Melbourne storage unit where we rehearse—the riff came first, followed by the bassline.
Director Owen Schatz shot the “Big Ideas” video last week, as the band headed to Los Angeles for a surprise pop-up show. Check it out below.
In other news, Rachel Brown has recently been named one of New York’s most eligible singles.
What’s In Between is set for release on 10/30 via Atlantic.
