Asta Rangu & Males – split single out today

Males is a Dunedin indie-pop band, founded in 2012 by songwriter Richard Ley-Hamilton. The band rose to prominence over the following three years, growing a loyal fanbase locally, releasing two EPs and a debut album in 2015, and making significant inroads to the US college radio charts, before going on extended hiatus.

Males darker sibling, Asta Rangu (also led by Ley-Hamilton) came out of the ashes of Males with the release of the 2017 EP Plasticine, which was noted for its melodic and angular sound, with hook-laden wordplay set against swirling arrangements.

After returning from the UK in 2019, Ley-Hamilton recruited bandmates Josh Nicholls (Koizilla, Space Bats Attack) on drums, Julie Dunn (Bathysphere, Mary Berry) on keys and Angus McBryde on bass. With newfound energy and confidence, Asta Rangu burst onto the scene in 2020 with a debut run of sell out shows in support of Marlin’s Dreaming, Ha the Unclear and The Beths.

Describing the new songs, Ley-Hamilton says “Both songs are fundamentally about escapism. I Dream is trying to understand and quantify purpose and suffering, while Clear Lake ponders medication – what does one lose when pain is taken away? Does that which is good, potent and necessary dissolve along with the bad?”

On their most comprehensive NZ tour to date, Asta Rangu & Males are performing seven shows around New Zealand in February and March in celebration of new split single I Dream/Clear Lake.

Watch the video for I Dream here

ASTA RANGU & MALES
I DREAM/CLEAR LAKE NZ TOUR DATES

Wed 10 February – Palmerston North – The Stomach
Support tbc

Thu 11 February – Wellington – San Fran
Support from Wiri Donna

Fri 12 February – Nelson – East Street Cafe
Support from Big Scout

Sat 13 February – Christchurch – Darkroom
Support from Too Woke for Toast

Sat 20 February – Dunedin – Dive
Support from Juno Is

Sat 27 February – Auckland – Wine Cellar
Support tbc

Sat 6 March – Invercargill – Tuatara
Support tbc

Tickets at – undertheradar.co.nz