‘Waking Eight’ EP was engineered by vocalist Matty Took, in addition to Lachlan Mitchell (Jezebels, Little Bastard), who also mixed the EP, with Steve Smart (Studios 301) mastering the release. Sydney outfit PLANET is the culmination of several years of trial and error in songcraft, performance and production. Matty Took (vox and rhythm), Tom Peppitt (lead guitar), Harrison Stewart-Weeks (drums) and Jimmy Weaver (bass) were first brought together by their shared love of music: old and new, foreign and domestic. Drawing influences from past and present the four-piece combine pop laden guitar hooks with soaring vocal melodies. The result is a sound which is reminiscent of Britpop but remains undeniably Australian.
In 2016 PLANET released a slew of singles, including ‘Undermine’ and ‘Can’t Connect’, which were subsequently added to high rotation on Triple J Unearthed and also received airtime on Dom Alessio’s “Home and Hosed” program. The lads pushed forward into 2017 releasing ‘Aching Dream’, the first single off their debut EP, exclusively premiered via Rolling Stone Australia who described it as “a minimal ballad … [building into] epicness suited for stadium sway-a-longs”. The song has since received a number of plays across Triple J and Unearthed. In the UK, the band’s unique sound has drawn attention and airtime on ‘This Feeling’ and Radio XFM.
Their follow up to ‘Aching Dream’ was revealed earlier this year in grittier single ‘Save.Sold’, earning the quartet a rotation addition on FBi and an abundance of glowing reviews, including the coveted title of I OH YOU’s Fresh Juice. Following its release the band announced they would be crossing the equator to tour the UK with Brit-pop/indie rock stalwarts DMA’S throughout May, where they will also play a number of headline shows (full dates below).
Having signed with booking agents New World Artists in late 2016, PLANET kept themselves busy playing a string of shows all over the country supporting British India and UK giants JAMES. They also made their debut on the Australian festival circuit securing slots at Festival of the Sun, Lost Paradise, Party in the Paddock, Blurst of Times. As proof of their ability to stand on their own merit, look no farther than their first ever interstate single tour.
The boys played three shows in support of their single ‘Aching Dream’. Starting with an intimate affair at The Foundry in Brisbane, the band headed down to Melbourne to play a rowdy post-midnight gig at Yah Yahs before bringing it all back home for a sold-out show at The Chippo in Sydney. Over the course of this period the band have developed a tight and energetic live show which has on more than one occasion resulted in sweat drenched t-shirts and arm in arm sing-a-longs.
While PLANET remains, for the most part, a staunchly independent labour of love – all songs being recorded in Matty Took’s bedroom studio – the band employed producer Lachlan Mitchell (Jezebels, Little Bastard) to add his touch to their past singles as well as their debut EP. Dave Ruby Howe of Triple J has said of the band, “Every song feels like a step forward for them to the point now that they’re 10 paces out in front.”
Showing no signs of slowing down, 2018 is set to be a big year for the band.
UK MAY TOUR DATES
21st– 02 Academy, Bristol (supporting DMA’S)
22nd– Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow (supporting DMA’S)
22nd – The Priory, Glasgow
23rd– Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline (supporting DMA’S)
25th– The 02 Institute, Birmingham (supporting DMA’S)
25th Actress & Bishop, Birmingham
26th– The Plug, Sheffield (supporting DMA’S)
27th – Dublin Castle, London
