WAAX Deliver A Candid & Emotional Past On 'Labrador'

5 May 2018 | 11:17 am | Alex Sievers
Originally Appeared In

I'm all about this new WAAX single.

I'm all about this new WAAX single.



I don't think anyone can rightfully say that whether it's playing live or on-record, WAAX are lacking the areas of aggression or energy. In fact, it's quite the opposite when it comes to the loud and catchy sound of this Queensland punk band. After all, 2017's kickass 'Wild & Weak' EP pushed WAAX's emotion, lyrical honesty, Chris Antolak and Ewan Birtwell's hooky riffs, and the band's memorable, attitude-driven choruses to the forefront of their music than ever before.

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While the newly Dew Process/Universal Australia signed band's most recent single 'Labrador' isn't as super-charged as other songs like 'Same Same' or 'Nothing Is Always', it's definitely not missing any of their heart or passion. And much of that effect comes down to the personally direct lyrics about the youth and past of the band's charismatic vocalist, Maz De Vita.

"This song is the first time I’ve ever spoken so candidly about my past,” elaborated De Vita in a recent presser. “The title is named after the suburb where I spent a lot of time when I was in my late teens and it’s where a significant relationship ended. Basically, the song underpins the way I felt around the time. I feel like this was the time I began to struggle with depression and when I was about 18, battled with body image issues." [Lyrics addressing these matters like “I’ve been binging/I’ve been purging/I’ll be skinny/At least that’s something” cut fuckin' hard, man].

"When my relationship ended, I didn’t really write music for a couple of years, I smashed my guitar" she added. "I felt kind of worthless. I clung to self-deprecation, I felt safe there. I had voices around me that said I wouldn’t amount to anything musically and I thought ‘you were right all along, you’re better than me. I’m never enough.’”

While WAAX are vibing with a slightly more subdued take on their melodic punk rock format here, 'Labrador' is still a brutally poignant track about feeling worthless in the wake of interpersonal fallouts; something we've all felt at one point or another at the hands of partners, friends, or family. But then about how we grow from those instances. Which is the real silver lining in this song, and why it's maybe also such a goddamn catchy tune!

Check it:



Hey, you should go & catch WAAX on the following tour dates in support of their awesome new single: 

FRI 11 MAY | MIAMI SHARK BAR, GOLD COAST QLD

w/ Crum, Deluso & Cake

THU 31 MAY | ED CASTLE, ADELAIDE SA

w/ Siamese

FRI 01 JUN | THE SEWING ROOM, PERTH WA

w/ Sly Withers

SAT 02 JUN | THE ODD FELLOW, FREMANTLE WA

w/ Sly Withers

FRI 08 JUN | RAD, WOLLONGONG NSW

w/ Moaning Lisa

SAT 09 JUN | THE LAIR, SYDNEY NSW (AA EARLY SHOW – DOORS 4.45PM)

w/ Moaning Lisa

SAT 09 JUN | THE LAIR, SYDNEY NSW (18+ EVENING SHOW)

w/ Moaning Lisa

SUN 10 JUN | THE CAMBRIDGE, NEWCASTLE NSW (LONG WEEKEND PARTY)

w/ Northeast Party House, Antonia & The Lazy Susans, and Dave.

WED 13 JUN | BARWON CLUB, GEELONG VIC

w/ Moaning Lisa

THU 14 JUN | PELLY BAR, FRANKSTON VIC

w/ Moaning Lisa

FRI 15 JUN | NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB, MELBOURNE VIC

w/ Moaning Lisa

SAT 16 JUN | THE ZOO, BRISBANE QLD

w/ Moaning Lisa

Friday 20 JulySaturday 21 July and Sunday 22 July

North Byron Parklands