Premiering exclusively with us today, Berlin Tourist, the solo endeavour of Melbourne-based multi-instrumentalist Tom Lee, unveils their debut single 'Get Out'. This charged track is a potent blend of lo-fi dark wave, fusing gothic post-punk guitar riffs with relentless drum machines and shimmering synths. Clocking in at just over two minutes, 'Get Out' is a fleeting yet impactful sonic experience.
Inspired by DIY bedroom projects such as Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Eyedress, and Washed Out, Berlin Tourist embraces an experimental approach to production. As a founding member and guitarist of shoegaze outfit Oceans, Lee has a history of pushing sonic boundaries. With Berlin Tourist, he ventures into new genres and instrumentation.
Lee explains, "I love using a drum machine in a live performance and really wanted to craft a sound around that. I also really like the idea of consuming music in a short thirty-second sample, and challenged myself to write a song that can be appreciated in a short format."
Despite its brevity, 'Get Out' delves into profound themes. It examines the disillusionment within the music industry, explores generational inequality, and confronts the pervasive feeling of hopelessness among today's youth. The line "I wanna be dead because I wouldn't be scared, I just want it to feel like it used to do" encapsulates the anxieties and yearning for simpler times shared by many.
"We were sold a dream of getting a stable job, owning a house and living a happy life but were actually given a cost of living crisis, environmental decay and rampant capitalism. We yearn for a future where things make sense," Lee reflects.
Recorded, produced, and mixed by Lee at his home studio, with mastering by Joe Carra from Crystal Mastering, 'Get Out' is a testament to Lee's DIY ethos. While launching Berlin Tourist, Lee continues his involvement with Oceans, who have amassed over 630k streams on Spotify and have an upcoming European tour in September.
'Get Out' is set for release tomorrow on August 9th, but you can experience it first here.
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