Independent Artist of the Week: Dead Roo
February 18th 2019
FBi Radio
Photo: Morgan Sette
Dead Roo are a 4-piece coming to us out of Adelaide, up the dirt track with a ute tray piled high with iconic Aussie imagery and grade-A indie tunes.
As with first single ‘Over My Head’, the ramshackle guitar meandering, elastic tempo and diy aesthetic of latest release ‘Turn Around’ belie its sophisticated harmonic lifts, twists and turns. They call themselves alt-country but definitely some 90s indie rock in this one’s DNA profile – think The Pretenders or REM with one loose wheel. Singer Jess Johns’ skilful delivery too, so full of longing and honesty, recalls the best of this era.
Less than a year in, Dead Roo are already finding their feet having added a Gizzfest set plus Hideous Sun Demon, Raave Tapes and West Thebarton supports to the CV. Single number 3 is on its way too, and on the strength of the first two it’s gunna be worth your attention.
Check the alt-outback sounds of ‘Turn Around’ and ‘Over My Head’, available via Dead Roo’s Bandcamp.