PEACE RITUAL
"Seconds" single released 3/12/24
Last Ride Records
Sydney and Melbourne-based duo Peace Ritual shared their soaring new single, “Seconds,” via Last Ride Records. Produced by Dazy (aka Richmond, VA-based songwriter James Goodson)–who also co-wrote the song alongside the band and Sam Bassal (Ocean Grove)–and mixed/mastered by Justin Pizzoferrato (J Mascis, SASAMI, Wild Pink, Pixies), “Seconds” takes the “spiraling jangle-rock” and “skyward majesty” (Stereogum) of their 2022 self-titled debut EP to new heights. The result is a sweeping, urgent cut that sits perfectly at the intersection of The Cure and the Gin Blossoms.
“‘Seconds’ evolved into a love song about timing and dealing with the unknown, and reminds us to slow down and breathe through the noise,” explain Joel Martorana and Thomas Elliott, aka Peace Ritual. “We teamed up with James to add a fresh twist to the song. We recorded it remotely, bringing in the idea of ‘time zones’ from the lyrics right into the making of the song. Self-recording played a crucial role, giving us the freedom to take our time and experiment with instrumentation, textures and sound design–and push through our own boundaries. We are also really excited to be cooking away on a larger body of work with James behind the scenes.”
Following their Melbourne show tonight with Movements and Softcult, Peace Ritual will next perform this Saturday, March 16th, at Sydney’s New Bloom Fest with Citizen, Touche Amore, Fleshwater, and more.
Martorana and Elliott may have initially joined forces with the intention of starting a hardcore band, but the music they made together organically took a different path. Drawing on the dreamy romanticism of ‘80s guitar pop and the driving hooks of ‘90s alternative, the pair released their debut singles “Tears of Joy” and “Trust Fall” in spring of 2022, followed by “Cold Shoulder” that summer and their EP in the fall. Peace Ritual has seen praise from Stereogum, Guitar World Australia (“Soaring pop-rock with a tasteful crunch”), Atwood Magazine (about “Tears of Joy:” “Stunning and sweet, seductive and soaring, this song has all the elements of a hit in the making”), Music Feeds, the AU Review, and more–in addition to airplay on Australia’s Triple J and FBi Radio.
