Wet Bandits release their new album ‘Bad Tattoos and Weathermen’
From the sun-drenched shores of Australia, Wet Bandits are carving a distinctive path within the indie-rock landscape. Their sound is a mesmerizing blend of shimmering synths, reverb-drenched guitars, and hypnotic melodies, cleverly creating a sonic tapestry that is both nostalgic and undeniably fresh.
At the heart of Wet Bandits is singer-songwriter and producer, Finn Roberts. Driven by a commitment to creative freedom and the exploration of his songwriting, the Hawkes Bay, Aotearoa/New Zealand raised artist collaborates with a rotating cast of talented musicians for live performances.
Reflecting a common trend among Australasian artists, Wet Bandits have, for a long time, largely been flying under the radar of local audiences and instead cultivated a dedicated and passionate international fanbase, mainly across the United States, Mexico, Brazil and the UK. This global appreciation for their creative output is vividly demonstrated by the staggering stats of their breakout single, Movies As Friends, which boasts upwards of 8 million streams on YouTube and Spotify alone.
But things are about to change and constantly rising streaming numbers from Australia and NZ as well as a January 2025 Aotearoa/New Zealand tour, which saw them completely sell out venues in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin prove a growing appreciation on home soil.
The highly prolific Roberts has consistently released EPs and albums since 2018, demonstrating a relentless drive for artistic expression. Following a relatively quiet 2024 Wet Bandits return with their new album Bad Tattoos and Weathermen.
STREAM Wet Bandits – Bad Tattoos & Weathermen
Across the album Wet Bandits invites listeners into a world that drifts between hazy sunlit afternoons and smoke-filled bars. There’s a languid ease to the album’s pace with Roberts utilising smooth synths washes, warm acoustic strumming and sun-drenched solos, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and present.
Written on the road and recorded in bedrooms, living rooms, and everywhere in between, the record embraces the band’s DIY roots and storytelling instincts – raw, honest, and deliberately rough around the edges. Produced and mixed in house by Finn Roberts and mastered by Kramer (Galaxie 500, Butthole Surfers), Bad Tattoos and Weathermen sees Wet Bandits staying true to themselves while further exploring the boundaries of their sound. What ties Bad Tattoos and Weathermen together is its honesty. Whether in moments of romantic clarity, emotional wreckage, or hedonistic escape, the music doesn’t flinch.
