Talk about timing your music release to perfection: THE DALS’ new single, “Split Enz”, was influenced by the titular Kiwi band and arrived just in time for NZ Music Month.
The track is a tale of homesickness and longing for one’s home country. Originally from Christchurch, siblings Asti and Luca ventured to Los Angeles to study, but the frat energy of college parties soon had them thinking of home.
“College is supposed to be the peak of someone’s life, but for some, it can also be the most lonely,” the duo say. “You attend parties where you don’t belong, hang out with people you can’t relate to, and often leave parties early to do some soul-searching from the comfort of your couch.”
To combat the alienating loneliness, THE DALS avoided the parties for something more worthwhile. “We’d play video games and cuddle our Dalmatian, all while reflecting and listening to Split Enz and other Kiwi artists that reminded us of our home and roots.
That’s what prompted them to release “Split Enz”, in order to pay tribute to all the Kiwi artists who “helped us deal with our homesickness.”
In a fitting move, “Split Enz” was produced by another overseas Kiwi, Miro Mackie, who also memorably worked on Indy Yelich‘s debut EP Threads.
And THE DALS were rewarded for their sentimental track when it was included on NZ On Air’s NewTracks for May; if you’re going to name your track after one of the country’s most seminal bands, it’s going to curry favour during NZ Music Month.
You can listen to the glistening electropop cut below. “Split Enz” is the follow-up to THE DALS’ “Feel Bad”, which earned a spot on a Spotify editorial playlist. With a huge online following built up after just a handful of tracks, THE DALS seem well-placed to continue their ascent after the conclusion of NZ Music Month.
THE DALS’ “Split Enz” is out now.
