Hailing from Galway, Ireland, NewDad is a four-piece band that has taken the music scene by storm with their unique ethereal sound. The band name, chosen from a random name generator, belies their musical influence from The Cure to Pixies. Their tracks are a fusion of grungy distortion and incandescent melodies, fronted by singer Julie Dawson’s ghostly vocals. Their latest offering, “In My Head,” is the band’s debut track on Fair Youth/Atlantic Records, showcasing their widescreen ambition and iridescent sonic.
Written in their Galway rehearsal room, “In My Head” was recorded at The Church in London, Paul Epworth’s studio, and mixed by Mike Crossey, who has worked with MUNA, The 1975, and Wolf Alice. The song features Julie Dawson grappling with inner turmoil, expressing “I’m buried under blankets / Descending into madness / And there’s no escape from the thoughts burned in my brain.”
NewDad – In My Head
Listen to In My Head by NewDad.
NewDad officially formed in 2020 for a musical practical at school as part of a final year music project. The band has released two EPs previously, Waves (2021) and Banshee (2022), produced by long-time collaborator Chris W Ryan and mixed by John Congleton. Despite their brief history, NewDad is part of Ireland’s flourishing music scene, which has given rise to acts such as Fontaines D.C, CMAT, and Just Mustard. The band’s music delves into restlessness, anxieties, and relationship hang-ups, straddling the autobiographical with the fantastical.
The band’s musical journey is inspired by modern-day cinema, TV, and the serene coastal environment of Galway that has shaped their formative years. They have opened for Paolo Nutini at Alexandra Palace and are set to support him again on his Irish tour in June alongside Julia Jacklin. Additionally, they have supported Fontaines DC at Custom House Square and Inhaler at Fairview Park. NewDad is currently recording their debut album at the legendary Rockfield Studios, which has hosted the likes of Black Sabbath and Oasis.
