Zach Stephenson (Hockey Dad) Announces Debut Solo Album ‘I Needed To Hear Me Say It’ With First Single ‘In N Out’
Zach Stephenson – best known as the singer of acclaimed and much-loved indie-band Hockey Dad – today announces his debut solo album I Needed To Hear Me Say It will be out on October 30 via radius, a newly-launched label founded by his long-term manager Daniel Radburn (Armlock, dust, The Belair Lip Bombs). His debut solo single In N Out is out today with its video – stream HERE; pre-save I Needed To Hear Me Say It HERE and preorder on vinyl + CD HERE.
In N Out started out as a meditation guide that Stephenson could lean on during panic attacks or anxiety, cyclical and rhythmic to mirror the steady breathing needed to get through. Initially built just around the bass line, it was the addition of an airy mellotron line and saxophone courtesy of Crocodylus’ Nick Meadows that turned it into a summery, optimistic track – quite a different direction to where it was first headed. “The original demos actually had some pretty loud and obnoxious breathing going on during the chorus,” Zach shares, “and the mellotron was emulating a kind of wheezing, phlegmy sound. I’m thankful it became cleaner as time went on.”
On I Needed To Hear Me Say It, Zach Stephenson does away with the creative expectations put on him by others – and himself – and sets out to explore as much as he possibly can across the record. “I realised that we only get one go at this life, and we may as well write and complete as many creative endeavours as possible. If they’re ‘good’ or not is kind of irrelevant.” The result is a record that moves naturally between genres while remaining grounded in the melodic instincts, memorable songwriting – and unmistakable vocals – that have defined his career.
Finding influence in the timeless songwriting of artists such as Nick Lowe, the infectious hooks of New Radicals and the cinematic scope of The Last Shadow Puppets, I Needed To Hear Me Say It explores themes of growth, self-reflection and the changing perspective that comes from years spent writing, touring and navigating life on the road. It was recorded and mixed by frequent collaborator Wade Keighran in the Blue Mountains on Darkinjung, Dharawal, Dharug, Gundungurra, Wonnarua and Wiradjuri Land, with mastering by James Trevascus (Young Fathers, Portishead, RVG), and features instrumentation by Stu McKenzie (drums, percussion), Josh Williams (bass), Stephen Bourke (guitar), Nick Meadows (horns, keys), with Maisie Everett from The Belair Lip Bombs offering backing vocals across the record, and feature vocals on Jeans In Japan.
TRACK LIST
I Needed To Hear Me Say It
Suction Cup
In N Out
Broke My Jaw
Roy
Sleeping Through The Dreams
Days In The Middle
Clutch
I Don’t Wanna Be Friends
Jeans In Japan ft. Maisie Everett
Ode To The Echo
Zach Stephenson – I Needed To Hear Me Say It
out October 30 (radius) | pre-save / pre-order physical
HEADLINE DATES
Oct 4-5 – Yours and Owls Festival – Dharawal Country / Wollongong, NSW
Sat 24 Oct – Milton Theatre – Yuin Country / Milton, NSW
WITH THE BELAIR LIP BOMBS
Sat 7 Nov – The Forum – Naarm / Melbourne, VIC
Fri 27 Nov – Princess Theatre – Magandjin / Brisbane, QLD
Thur 3 Dec – Metro Theatre – Gadigal Land / Sydney, NSW