Strange New Places
Strange New Places are a Belfast-based band of right-on radicals with low self-esteem.
The queerpunk five-piece are often found singing about gender, sexuality and life under capitalism, and how those intersect with anxiety, depression, and a perpetual fear of talking to girls.
Formed by Fermanagh siblings Ash and Rory, the band recruited long-time co-conspirator Michael before sweeping East, picking up Rain on drums, and finding bassist Caleb wandering in the wilderness near Lisburn. On reaching the coast, the assembled band realised they could not all swim, and settled down in the nearby town of Belfast, where they can still be found today.
Influenced by acts like Against Me, Modern Baseball, and Los Campesinos!, the group nestles itself between emo, punk and synth pop, creating high-energy laments as the soundtrack to sedition.
Their debut EP, ‘Uncomfortable’ was released digitally and on vinyl in August 2019, leading to a Contender Award nomination at the Northern Ireland Music Prize, where they also performed live alongside Snow Patrol, Ryan Vail and more. 2020 will see Strange New Places contribute to a vinyl collaboration EP – ‘The Fight Is Not Over’ – as well as continuing to impress live with dates throughout Ireland.
When not making music, Strange New Places can be found agitating for minority rights or being minorly agitated. If you approach them, they’ll likely fire off a Golden-Age Simpsons quote on impulse.