Northeast Party House has always been about a good rave. The Melbourne-based alternative electronic band began as mates from school, just throwing parties and making music when they felt like it. Their name? A tribute to their friend Sam Northeast, whose house was the go-to spot before Year 12 exams.
“His mum went away overseas, and it ended up being the party house for about two weeks. It probably messed some people’s exam results,” says keyboardist and producer Sean Kenihan over Zoom, chatting from his home studio.
“It was a memorable time for us. Zach [Hamilton-Reeves] and I started making music together, inspired by UK bands like Foals and Bloc Party. We named the band Northeast Party House after Sam’s place.”
Northeast Party House have come a long way since then.
Formed in Melbourne in 2010, they made a name for themselves in the underground scene before releasing their debut album, Any Given Weekend, in 2014. The album, especially the song “Dusk”, grabbed the attention of triple j’s Unearthed.
“We used to tour with our own strobe lights just to give people a real show,” says bassist Oli Packard, taking the call during his lunch break as a school teacher. He’s bundled up against Melbourne’s winter chill in his classroom, apologising for the lunch bell ringing in the background. (He later mentions his extracurricular DJ class.)
Now, with their fourth album, Enhancer, out in the world, the collective – Kenihan and Packard alongside Zachary Hamilton-Reeves, Jack Shoe, and Malcolm Besley – are reaching new heights.
In June, they took their high-energy live sets to the US, headlining in LA and New York and playing with Aussie acts like Jebediah and Sycco at Sounds Australia’s The Aussie BBQ in Central Park, which was their biggest show to date.
“Playing in Central Park was a bit of a dream. I used to watch Simon and Garfunkel’s live performance there every day when I was a teenager,” Packard shares, still buzzing from the experience.
“Americans are really receptive to new music. I feel like in Australia you have to prove yourself a little more to an audience. In America, they come into it a lot more open-minded and ready to have a good time.”
They’ve been making other moves in the States, teaming up with major EDM label Ultra Records and landing a US booking agent. But breaking into the American market hasn’t been easy.
“It’s really difficult,” Packard admits. “We want to do more, but it’s tough and expensive. We feel lucky when we get the chance.”
Where 2016’s Dare was more indie with a few electronic and pop tints, 2020’s Shelf Life took their sound firmly into the club scene with gleaming synths and pulsing bass. Produced by Kim Moyes of The Presets, it earned them a nomination for Best Dance Release at the ARIA Awards.
Then the pandemic hit, and the band felt burnt out. “We didn’t want to make an album the same way as before, taking a really long time,” says Kenihan. “We wanted to enjoy the process more. After over 10 years, we realised it was important to feel freer with the music. So we changed things up.”
Enter Enhancer, an 11-track explosion of dance energy. From the rock-rave of “Brain Freeze” and the disco-house of “Dark Boy”, their new album is a non-stop thrill ride. The title track, with its driving Berlin techno and five-minute runtime, could become their new festival anthem.
It’s no surprise, then, that Enhancer revived old demos from Shelf Life. “Tracks like ‘L.A’, ‘Vicious’, and ‘Chicken Dinner’ are from back then, along with ‘Brain Freeze’. We loved them as demos but sometimes songs that just sit on the hard drive until the time is right,” reveals Kenihan.
Packard points out that the pandemic’s impact on live shows also shaped their new album. “Clubs bounced back quicker than live music, probably because DJing is easier to book and lower risk,” he explains.
“We ended up doing lots of DJ gigs, and loved it. Some of the best shows we played were DJ sets for Shelf Life. It definitely influenced the sound of our new album. You can really hear the electronic and dancey vibe.”
But they don’t want to be locked into one sound. “Each album is a snapshot in time. Just because this album is more electronic doesn’t mean the next one will be too,” Kenihan adds.
“We might explore something more instrumental next. The band’s strength has always been in exploring new sounds. That freedom makes it fun – who knows what’s next.”
Packard agrees: “If you see us live, we’re playing some older rock tracks, and they fit right in. It’s all the influences poking through in different moments, adding to the Northeast sound. That’s what’ cool about releasing a lot of music over the years; it all makes sense as whole.”
With all five members bringing their own ideas, the collective will always keep evolving.
“The good thing about having so many different people is that we’re all inspired by different things,” says Kenihan. “It can be tricky when everyone wants to go in different directions, but this album felt like the freest process. It’s more about trusting each other want and letting it flow. That’s when you get the best art.”
As they mark the 10th anniversary of Any Given Weekend, the band has undergone some big personal changes like marriage and babies. Frontman Hamilton-Reeve’s move to Los Angeles is another shift, but his bandmates are quick to praise his growth as a songwriter and lead vocalist.
“It was great to see Zach come out of his shell on this project,” says Kenihan. “He’s always had a range of styles. Sometimes he’d shouting and other times he’d go for a falsetto. I encouraged him to explore both more in each song.”
Right now, Northeast Party House are gearing up for a national tour, ending with a hometown show at The Forum next month.
“We’re putting all our energy into this tour to make it as big and bold as possible,” says Packard. “We mix things up with long sections of the set that go for 20 to 30 minutes without stopping.”
Live shows are clearly their happy place. “Our live energy is something you don’t get on the album,” Kenihan adds. “When we’re on stage, everyone has to get up and dance. Whether it’s 20 people or 2000, they feel our energy, and it’s infectious.”
Just like those first school parties, they’re still all about putting on a great show. “It’s in our DNA to bring a good party.”
Northeast Party House’s Enhancer is out now via Sony Music. The band’s tour starts August 10th, with tickets available here.
