Introducing NOT A BOYS NAME and his quirky debut single, Hazard Perception Test

After working with names such as Daniel Johns, Andy Bull, Bertie Blackman, Gordi and Eves Karydas as a drummer and musical director, chances are you've already come across a song touched by Dave Jenkins Jr's signature charm. If you're not so sure, well then it's worth making an entry point with NOT A BOYS NAME, his latest project, which just jumped out the gates with its debut single, Hazard Perception Test. It's an anthemic and festival-ready tune with an added touch of quirkiness, giving it a bouncy, indie-pop flavour you'd expect from an act like Vampire Weekend on an international scale. "The song is about resilience," he says on the track, which arrives ahead of a handful of shows at BIGSOUND next week with the promise of more to come. "Fighting back when you are being stunted by your own fears and insecurities. It's less about a romantic kind of heart than it is about having heart and having the strength to do what you want to do, the way YOU want to do it."

Combining a light, guitar-driven instrumental with his own playful vocal, NOT A BOYS NAME firmly establishes Dave Jenkins Jr as an act to watch with his new solo project. That, and considering the light-hearted bounce of Hazard Perception Test and the reception to the single already, it wouldn't surprise me to see the project really blow up and become a 'next big thing'. Check out the single's official clip below, and get to know him a little better underneath that:

Tell us about yourself?

My name is Dave Jenkins Jr. I play lots of instruments, I write songs about love and the internet. I’m a Scorpio and generally speaking I prefer movie sequels.

What’s the vibe music-wise?

It’s a solo project that sounds like a band. Fuzzy guitars, unorthodox production... in a tiny nutshell I’m an indie/alt artist and I am brutally honest.

What are your production and writing processes like?

It all comes together very quickly. I don’t like sitting on an idea for too long. If I have to work too hard, I’ll usually just export it to the trash and try something else.

Can you tell us about your new single, Hazard Perception Test?

I was experiencing a time where the universe was hurling giant balls of crap at me every time I tried to move forward with any aspect of my life. I felt like I was in a real-life version of the touchscreen test you take to get your drivers licence. Things pop up that you aren’t prepared for and you have to figure out the best way to deal with them. The song poured out of me in a day... lyrics, production... everything. It’s the first song I wrote for this project and it hasn’t changed one bit since that first recording I made.

Any shows coming up?

I’ll be playing at Bigsound in Brisbane with my band in September. After that probably something chill like a world tour.

What’s the rest of the year have in store for you?

I have so much music to unleash on the world, my god. I’ve finished my first record. Second one’s on the way. I should probably release them.

Where can we find more of your music?

The first single is on the internet - Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Google Play... the rest of it is lurking around the dark web somewhere.

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