Ones to Watch: Gold Fields

09/18/12 - 0 Comments

One to Watch: Gold Fields

There’s not a whole lot of negative coming out of the Outback these days. From Hunger Games heartthrob Liam Hemsworth to design daredevil Josh Goot, Aussie imports are hot commodities this side of the equator. Burgeoning band-on-the-rise Gold Fields has struck our fancy as a techno-pop quintet, quickly earning cred for their eighties new-wave-infused pop, laced with a bit of folk rock that dares you to dance.

Comprised of vocalist Mark Robert Fuller, keyboardist Rob Clifton, bassist Luke Peldys, drummer Ryan D’Sylva and guitarist Vin Andanar, the fivesome met as grade school chums before coming together for the music in 2010. Hailing from Ballarat, Australia, the five-piece is making their mark with intense live shows that demonstrate the boys’ uncanny knack for pumping up a crowd.

Each member has a distinct stylistic edge that accounts for the diversity of the tracks on their debut EP, from the heart-stopping beat of “Moves” to the reggae undertones in the darker “Holy No”—a great makeout song (and no, you’re not too old to describe a song as good for making out). The overall vibe? A bold blend of Duran Duran’s lightheartedness, The Naked + Famous’ cool factor and Brand New’s heart-on-your-sleeve angst.

As the breakout hit, “Treehouse” is a tantalizing tribal-techno head thumper. In the zany official video, duel rows of mysterious fellows clap in sync while wearing—wait, are those monk robes? Smoke machines in full effect, the merry monks part ways to reveal the band through the mist. Perhaps in a planned parallel, lead singer Mark is similarly hooded, albeit in a more Aussie hipster variation in his zip-up. Complete with fainting damsels, Flashdance-style aerobics, a terrifying albino unicorn head and a gothic dinner party that could easily double as a casual Wednesday at Ozzy Osbourne’s house, it’s a trip. As Mark croons that “we lost our way,” you can’t help but agree. But the Gold Fields stage-in-the-clearing isn’t a bad place to be found.

The golden boys quickly gained a national fan base by being 2011’s most-played new local band on Australian radio station triple j, launching their touring career with a signature frenetic live performance. There’s something to be said about rave music that makes you want to jump up and down and then make out with the person next to you, rather than punch them in a violent adrenaline-infused frenzy. If you plan on seeing them live (which we strongly suggest you do), skip the gym that day—you’ll get your cardio fix just trying to keep up with drummer D’Sylva’s manic beat.

The band is not unfamiliar in the USA, either—they recorded their debut album in L.A. and had a fantastic string of 2012 shows at the musical Mardi Gras madness at Austin’s SXSW Festival, as well as in a subsequent string of dates along the Golden Coast and NYC.

With their impending album release, slated to drop in early 2013, Gold Fields has a lot to be giddy about. Savvily signing with Astralwerks, the record was produced by Mickey Petralia, who’s worked with the likes of Björk and Beck. Petralia helped Gold Fields produce a refined version of the EP material, along with more unexpected songs. Before the album drops, get your alt-synth-pop melody fix from their self-titled debut EP, available on iTunes.

Next up? Touring the US, including a visit to Cali for FILTER Magazine’s 2012 Culture Collide Festival in October. We’ll be watching them—if we can keep up! From the looks of their stage presence, excuse us as we crank up the treadmill speed in hyper preparation to keep up with the energy level. Be abreast of all the latest from the band by following them on Twitter and Tumblr.