Battleships
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | Established. Jan 01, 2013
Music
Press
Sydney’s Battleships are a huge favorite of mine, one of the most gorgeous bands Australia has produced recently. Their first two singles “Your Words” and “In Retrospect” were hugely popular upon release, receiving plenty of radio support domestically and abroad (mainly in the UK). After a number of support slots and acclaimed performances at the Big Sound Music Conference, they recently released a 7-track mini-album “To You” and announced details of their own National Tour.
“To You” includes the band’s first two singles, plus five fresh tracks, each as tender and haunting as the last. “Coming Back To You” combines the strengths that made their previous releases stand outs –- their intelligent instrumental arrangements combined with the lingering tones of vocalist Jordan Sturdee. “Collision (Head On)” builds from subdued beginnings, before dropping off again quickly, while the album’s final track, “Another Way,” is perhaps the most stirring of all their material.
Quickly announcing themselves on the list of bands to watch, Battleships don’t look like they’ll be slowing down anytime soon. - Indie Shuffle
Battleships, a four-piece Aussie band, has that build-up to loud emotion and a lushly orchestrated sound in their latest single, “Your Words.” These guys are set for primetime. - Knox Road
Battleships, a four-piece Aussie band, has that build-up to loud emotion and a lushly orchestrated sound in their latest single, “Your Words.” These guys are set for primetime. - Knox Road
It seems these ships are simply cruising on the waves created by writing and recording songs that are a cut above your standard indie fare, and instead of jumping on any lo-fi or dreampop bandwagon (scenes so crammed it's almost impossible not to drown in them) they're making their own brand of Zeitgeist-dodging anthemic guitar tunes.
New single 'Your Words' goes one better than the debut, stretching their sound that bit further, higher and grander. Such ambition can often crumble under its own weight and amount to a Keane-shaped hollow bluster, but Battleships are gunning for an altogether more substantial sound, like someone nicked all the cellos and violins off Arcade Fire to see what they could muster with a more conventional set up. - The Sound Of Confusion
Foreboding yet formidable indie goodness at it’s best. More please. - Sounds Good To Me Too
It's great to hear some really intelligent, original indie again - this song has really got me excited and Im looking forward to hearing more. - Nick Findlay - Triple J
It's great to hear some really intelligent, original indie again - this song has really got me excited and Im looking forward to hearing more. - Nick Findlay - Triple J
Sydney four-piece Battleships only formed in 2011 but they’ve wasted no time in blowing our brains out with their first attempt at recording something.
‘In Retrospect’ is a delicious slice of guitar driven dream-fuzz that snaps into full life in its final third after a mesmerising crescendo. - When The Gramophone Rings
Battleships have found their sound and crafted a solid first release, which is rather exceptional for a band that has only been around for year. - Tone Deaf
With debut EP To You, Battleships have cemented themselves as a band to watch on the indie-rock scene. - Sydney Morning Herald
With debut EP To You, Battleships have cemented themselves as a band to watch on the indie-rock scene. - Sydney Morning Herald
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Battleships are an indie rock band based in Sydney, Australia. Formed in late 2011, the group is comprised of four members, lead singer and guitarist Jordan Sturdee, bass guitarist and keyboardist Jonathan Bowden, drummer Dan McMurray and Nato Hannaford on guitar. Their sound has been described as "intelligent indie", "simultaneously anthemic and intricate".
Battleships formed in late 2011, but had known each other for quite some time before that. Jordan Sturdee and Jonathan Bowden grew up together, having known each other since primary school. Whilst growing up, they were in quite a few bands together. Jonathan Bowden and drummer Dan McMurray met when they were in their teens, and upon McMurray finishing high school, moved to Sydney together. Sturdee and Bowden continued to write music together when they saw each other, as well as over Skype; with "In Retrospect" being born out of one of these sessions. According to Sturdee, "In Retrospect" was the catalyst, and after much coercing from Bowden and McMurray, he decided to join them Sydney. They then sourced friend and guitarist Nato Hannaford to complete the line-up.
Battleships released their debut single "In Retrospect" in February 2012. The single gained them much attention, being placed on high rotation on Australia's Triple J, as well as receiving play on BBC6, Q Radio and Amazing Radio in the UK, and many college radio stations in the US. Their second single "Your Words", released in July 2012, did equally as well, achieving many of the same feats as it's forebearer. The song also recently won Best Alternative Release at the 2013 Australian Independent Music Awards. Battleships released their debut seven track mini-album titled "To You" on November 9 2012 through MGM Distribution. The mini-album was recorded, mixed and produced by the band, and was mastered by the renowned Don Bartley. "To You" featured the two previous singles, as well as third single "Coming Back To You". "Coming Back To You" was placed on high rotation on Triple J, and was the iTunes Single Of The Week in early 2013, achieving upwards of 50,000 downloads.
Battleships have toured Australia a number times, and have played with many well known and respected bands, including the Paper Kites, The Preatures and The Holidays. They also won the Triple J Unearthed competition to play at Homebake 2012. More recently, they supported Australian folk-rock stalwarts Boy & Bear on their sold out, 15-date tour of the country, which included spots at both Fat As Butter and the Golden Days Festival.
Band Members
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