Rising New Zealand punks DARTZ share their new single, ‘Paradise,’ ahead of their new album, Dangerous Day To Be A Cold One, which is out Friday, 1 March, via Flying Nun Records.
The infectious track comes with an Oscar Keys-directed video, showcasing the band rolling up their sleeves to tackle the real estate market in the form of Aotearoa’s newest sleazy property sales team, ‘Paradise Realty’.
According to DARTZ vocalist Danz, with 'Paradise', the band was inspired to make a summer anthem that reflected on the differences between groups of beachgoers: “we were driving through Mt Maunganui one day before a show, and out of nowhere Rollyz just said out loud ‘damn it’s a good place to be blonde’. That phrase stuck with us and the song just came naturally from there”.
Taking aim at the property developers and rich listers that have come to populate many of NZ’s beautiful beaches, Paradise also showcases the youthful intensity for which DARTZ is known, and the song is a peek into the band’s cheeky attitude that permeates the 10-track thrill ride of Dangerous Day To Be A Cold One.
While currently on tour in Australia, DARTZ have also announced a hometown show to celebrate the album’s release: at Wellington’s San Fran on Friday 1 March.
Dangerous Day To Be A Cold One is the most electrifying snapshot we’ve seen of DARTZ yet: from the sports-rock romp of ‘Earn The Thirst’ and the nostalgic narrative of ‘Learning To Drive With Dad', to the thundering rhythms of ‘Gender Reveal Burnout’ and the title track, the album captures DARTZ’s unique sound: high-energy old school rock riffs with tight hooks and masterful storytelling.
Since forming four years ago in NZ’s capital, Wellington, DARTZ is now on the cusp of breaking out globally with their riotous rock that has sparked countless mosh pits and stage dives everywhere, from small-town pubs and house parties to festival slots and sold-out NZ shows. Upcoming tours in 2024 will take them back to Australia and, for the first time, the UK & Europe.
Their second album for Flying Nun, Dangerous Day To Be A Cold One, is a 10-track thrill ride through the band’s day-to-day life as hard-working Kiwi legends earning the thirst and holding out for a beer. This follows the success of DARTZ’s 2022 debut LP, The Band From Wellington, New Zealand, which reached No. 1 on the NZ Albums chart.
The album is available for pre-order now on CD, LP and a limited edition ‘Bush Weed’ colour vinyl, featuring cover artwork by DARTZ frontman Danz (best known for his art under the name Yeehawtheboys).
DARTZ will release Dangerous Day To Be A Cold One via Flying Nun Records on Friday, 1 March.