Premiere: Meet Adelaide pop-punkers Wing Defence and their newie, Greener Pastures

Header image by Klee Photography.

If you're well in-tuned to Adelaide's live music space already, there's a strong chance you've come across Wing Defence in the last few years. The pop-punk now-five-piece made an entrance as a duo with their debut single Stuck back in 2018 and have been striving and thriving ever since, building upon their sound and furthering their image with everything they've put out since - a littering of singles throughout 2018, 2019, and 2020 included within that.

Last year, however, saw Wing Defence strive to their highest heights so far, and they brought plenty to be excited about. They shared their debut EP Friends, a collection of six tracks that showcased their booming, multi-faceted indie-pop-punk sound and the many textures and flavours they incorporate into it. They also won the 'Best Group' Award at last year's SAM - South Australian Music - Awards, as a testament to how far they've come in the last few years, and the talent that they showcase within their work.

Now, they set their sights on the future, and today is the day it all kicks off. As teased previously, the group's new single Greener Pastures sees them evolve into a five-piece, with the original pairing of Skye Walter and Paige Court gaining three new members in Benny, Anthony and Miles (who have always been present in their live band, but now join in a recorded format too). The new single is the first taste of this now-larger band and what they've been working on within the last year, and there's something incredibly exciting about that makes it feel like 2021 is Wing Defence's year, and everything they've been working towards in the time previously is all coming together.

Premiering on Pilerats today ahead of its official release tomorrow, April 23rd, Greener Pastures is Wing Defence's light pop-punk at its best, with strong pop hooks building upon some pretty upfront and intimate lyricism that they kind-of charade amongst the single's energetic feeling, something doubled down upon with its lively and rich production. 

"You’d be pretty lucky if you’ve avoided a situation where you’ve been treated unfairly by your boss or a colleague… It’s incredibly frustrating and upsetting when this happens and you just want to tell them where to go, which most of the time, you can’t," says guitarist Benny Tamblyn on the single, which also comes with news of their signing to Korean music distribution company Sound Republica and Germany's Dock 7 Records. "That’s what this song is all about — a way of releasing all the frustration around the things you can really never say."

Greener Pastures is a whole lot of fun but still pretty damn powerful, and with their second EP scheduled for release later next year, there's plenty more to come. In the meantime, however, take a dive into Greener Pastures as it premieres on Pilerats below, and better introduce yourself to Wing Defence underneath - there's a tonne to be excited about here.

Tell us about yourself?

Paige and I used to play shows together in different bands and became friends through the music scene here in Adelaide. We both love a good laugh and I think our earlier tracks really portray that. Initially forming as a duo in 2018, our name came from an angry poem I’d written and read to Paige one night out the front of a music venue called Jive… the last line read “What position do you play, Wing Defence” … for anyone who knows netball, it’s the first position to go if you don’t have enough players. Paige immediately declared that this was the name of our new Pop Punk band!

This year we’ve decided to formally introduce Benny, Anthony and Miles to the Wing Defence team. They’ve always been there in a live capacity, but we’ve become very close over the years and we’ve been through a lot together, so we figured now was the perfect time to bring them along for the ride with us. 

Since our debut release Stuck we have played some national festivals such as BIGSOUND, Groovin’ The Moo and Laneway Festival, as well as touring the country with the likes of Polish Club and The VANNS. Last year we won a few SA Music Awards for Best Group, Best Release (for our debut EP Friends) and People’s Choice Punk.

What’s your music like? What does it sound like? What kind of themes does it usually cover?

Punchy, bubblegum pop-punk! We try to keep our themes really honest and easily relatable.

What are your production and writing processes usually like?

They change all the time! Benny, Paige and I write all of the songs, sometimes together, sometimes alone, but we always come together to finish off a tune and nut it out in the studio.

Can you tell us a bit about this new single, Greener Pastures?

Greener Pastures was recorded at Depict Studios & mixed by Wade Keighran (Wolf & Cub/ Polish Club) at Rolodex Studios. It’s a powerful nod to anyone that's ever felt trapped in a job where you're over-worked, rarely appreciated and under-paid.

You’d be pretty lucky to not have been in a situation where you’ve been treated unfairly by your boss or a colleague. As we all know it’s incredibly frustrating and upsetting when this happens and you just want to tell them where to go, which most of the time, you can’t! This song aims to release all the frustration around the things you could really never say.

What do you have planned for 2021?

Write write write. And play a few shows here and there… and always have a good time doing it!

What do you want people to take away from your work? 

A feeling of being understood, like you're not the only one going through this thing called life. We also wanna make people dance and have a bloody good time! 

Where can we find more of your music?

Everywhere! Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp Youtube & more!

Follow Wing Defence: FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM