Hermitude are an evolving success story, from humble beginnings born in music and friendship, to creative and commercial peaks that grow with each release.
Forming in the early 2000s, Hermitude had built a unique chemistry after playing live together in various bands from an early age. Their first EP was the vinyl-only Imaginary Friends, shortly followed by their debut album Alleys to Valleys. These were both released by the indie label elefant traks; it was the start of a long association that continues to this day.
The sophistication of Tales of the Drift, their second album, earned the duo critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase, and was followed by the Rare Sightings EP in 2007. A year later, the more electronic, less sample-based LP Threads arrived, but soon after the band went on a brief hiatus.
Returning with a revitalised energy, these lifelong friends produced their biggest work to date, the infectiously upbeat ‘speak of the devil’. It was voted into the triple j Hottest 100 and won the triple j J award for best Video. Hermitude’s fourth album HyperParadise followed in early 2012 and, for the first time in their career, charted in the australian top 40.
Then something else happened, a young producer named Flume remixed their song ‘HyperParadise’ and everything escalated. Hype machine and soundcloud went bonkers and the song went platinum.
Hermitude went on to win the air award for best electronic album; it was nominated for an aria award for best dance release, and won the prestigious australian music Prize, up against the likes of tame impala and Flume in the process.
After some huge festivals and sold-out tours, Hermitude re-emerged with ‘ukiyo’, a song that clocked up millions of plays with no radio or video. A North American tour followerd and their live performances made the electronic duo stand out to new audiences, who were just beginning to experience what many Australians had known for some time.
2015 began with the signing of a worldwide deal with nettwerk records, as well as their first headline tour of the US, taking in sXsw and going on to festivals such as governor’s ball and lollapollooza.
The first official single ‘through the roof’ immediately impacted on alternative radio but it was the second single ‘the buzz’ that shook the foundations, embraced by every level of radio. The numbers don’t lie: for months it was one of the most shazamed songs in the country, #1 on the Hype machine, racking up millions of youtube and soundcloud plays as well as a top 20 chart hit.
When Elefant Traks released Dark Night Sweet Light on May 15 it became the #1 in the country–their first top ten album, and a landmark moment for Elgusto and Luke Dubs. It stayed in the Top 10 for weeks following.
Their Australian album tour was completely sold-out and the international release of Dark Night Sweet Light is slated for August 28 through Nettwerk records.
Tickets: $61.07