Middle Kids
Middle Kids | |
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![]() Middle Kids performing at St Jerome's Laneway Festival, 2019 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
Years active | 2016–present |
Labels |
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Website | middlekidsmusic |
Members |
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Middle Kids are an alternative indie rock band from Sydney, Australia. The band consists of Hannah Joy (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Tim Fitz (bass, backing vocals, production) and Harry Day (drums, backing vocals). Since forming in 2016, the band has released their eponymous debut EP (2017), the album Lost Friends (2018), the New Songs for Old Problems EP (2019), and their second studio album Today We're the Greatest (2021).
Career[]
2016–2017: Formation and debut EP[]
Middle Kids originally formed after Fitz offered to produce some songs for Joy's solo project after attending a show she played.[1] Prior to Middle Kids, Fitz was also a solo artist; he released five EPs between 2011 and 2014 under his own name. They enlisted local jazz drummer Harry Day[2] (who went to school with Joy) for a recording session, in which they recorded their debut single, "Edge of Town".[3]
The song's radio premiere on Triple J in May 2016 was followed by a feature in Rolling Stone Australia. Shortly after the video clip's premiere on Stereogum,[4] the song was added to Elton John's Beats 1 show.[5] The trio won FBi Radio's Northern Lights competition (which sent them to perform in Reykjavik, Iceland at the Iceland Airwaves music festival).[6]
The band recorded and released their debut self-titled EP in February 2017.[3] They also toured with Paul Kelly and Steve Earle in November of that year.[7]
2018–2019: Lost Friends[]
In May 2018, the band released their debut album, Lost Friends. It was primarily recorded in their Sydney home, produced by bandmember Tim Fitz,[2] and mixed by Peter Katis.
It debuted at Number 10 on the ARIA Charts. A Pitchfork review described the sound as "radiant, anthemic indie rock, balancing doubt-ridden lyrics with clear-eyed execution".[8] Lost Friends was nominated for the ARIA Award for Best Rock Album at the ARIA Music Awards of 2016. It won the prestigious J Award for Australian Album of the Year.[9] The lead single "Mistake" was voted into the 2018 Triple J Hottest 100.
They played their USA TV debut on Conan.[3] Additionally they have performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!,[10] The Late Late Show with James Corden and Busy Tonight.[11][12] They have played live sessions for KCRW,[13] KEXP,[14][15] KTBG,[16] WFUV,[17] and Triple J (in which they performed a cover of "Don't Dream it's Over" by Crowded House).[18]
The band have toured extensively in the US, performing at South by Southwest, Lollapalooza, Governors Ball Music Festival, LouFest, Firefly Music Festival, Austin City Limits Fest among others.[19][20][21][22] They also opened on tours for The War on Drugs (band),[23] Ryan Adams,[24] Cold War Kids,[5] Local Natives.[25]
The band supported Bloc Party on a European tour in 2018 and played a live session in the UK at the BBC Maida Vale Studios.[26]
The band released the EP New Songs for Old Problems in May 2019. These were released by Domino Records in the US, EMI Records in Australia, and Lucky Number in the UK.[27][28][29]
2020–present: Today We're the Greatest[]
In January 2021, Middle Kids announced the release of their second studio album, alongside its second single "Questions".[30] Today We're the Greatest was released on 19 March 2021.
Discography[]
Studio albums[]
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
---|---|---|---|
AUS [31] |
SCO [32] | ||
Lost Friends |
|
10 | — |
Today We're the Greatest |
|
5 [33] |
87 |
Extended plays[]
Title | EP details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
AUS [31] | ||
Middle Kids |
|
26 |
New Songs for Old Problems |
|
44 [36] |
Singles[]
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|
US AAA [37] | ||||
"Edge of Town"[38] | 2016 | — |
|
Middle Kids |
"Never Start"[40] | 2017 | — |
| |
"Old River"[41] | — | |||
"Mistake"[42] | 2018 | — | Lost Friends | |
"On My Knees"[43] | — | |||
"Bought It"[44] | — | |||
"Don't Be Hiding"[45] | — | |||
"Real Thing"[46] | 2019 | — | New Songs for Old Problems | |
"R U 4 Me?"[47] | 2020 | 36 | Today We're the Greatest | |
"Questions"[30] | 2021 | 35 | ||
"Cellophane (Brain)"[48] | — | |||
"Stacking Chairs"[49] | — |
Awards and nominations[]
ARIA Music Awards[]
The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
ARIA Music Awards of 2018 | Lost Friends | ARIA Award for Best Rock Album | Nominated |
J Awards[]
The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J.
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
J Awards of 2018[50] | Lost Friends | Australian Album of the Year | Won |
National Live Music Awards[]
The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2017[51][52] | Middle Kids | International Live Achievement (Group) | Nominated |
2019[53][54] | Middle Kids | Live Indie / Rock Act of the Year | Nominated |
References[]
- ^ Middle Kids Interview: "Forming The Band", retrieved 16 December 2019
- ^ Jump up to: a b Middle Kids - Full Performance (Live on KEXP), retrieved 16 December 2019
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "From Overnight Success To The Set Of 'Conan', Middle Kids Are Going The Distance". themusic.com.au. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
- ^ "Middle Kids – "Edge Of Town" Video". Stereogum. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "10 New Artists You Need to Know Now". Rolling Stone. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- ^ "Middle Kids in Iceland: Video & Photos from FBi's Northern Lights winners". FBi Radio. 16 November 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- ^ Radojkovic, Mick. "Paul Kelly, Steve Earle, Middle Kids @ Sydney Opera House". theMusic.com.au. Handshake Media. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ "Middle Kids:". Pitchfork. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- ^ "J Awards 2018". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- ^ Newstead, Al (27 April 2018). "Watch Middle Kids kill their US TV return on Jimmy Kimmel Live!". triple j. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- ^ "The Late Late Show with James Corden: Armie Hammer/Amber Heard/Middle Kids/Cardi B". IMDb.com. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ "r/indieheads - [FRESH PERFORMANCE] Middle Kids - Edge of Town (Live on Busy Tonight)". reddit. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- ^ Middle Kids performing "Never Start" Live on KCRW, retrieved 16 December 2019
- ^ Middle Kids - Full Performance (Live on KEXP), retrieved 16 December 2019
- ^ Middle Kids - Your Love (Live on KEXP), retrieved 16 December 2019
- ^ "Middle Kids 'The Full Session' | 90.9 The Bridge in Studio". YouTube. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ Middle Kids - "On My Knees" (Live at WFUV), retrieved 16 December 2019
- ^ Middle Kids cover Crowded House 'Don't Dream It's Over' for Like A Version, retrieved 16 December 2019
- ^ "World Cafe Next: Middle Kids". NPR.org. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "Sydney Band Middle Kids Have Won FBi's Northern Lights Competition". musicfeeds.com.au. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "Middle Kids". SXSW.com. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "Middle Kids – "Edge Of Town" Video (". stereogum.com. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "Middle Kids are Aussie music's next big thing". The West Australian. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- ^ "Live Review: Ryan Adams + Middle Kids – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne (26.05.17)". the AU review. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "Local Natives + Middle Kids @ Theatre Rialto - 28th May 2019". Montreal Rocks. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- ^ Middle Kids Interview at SITG17, retrieved 16 December 2019
- ^ "Middle Kids Arrive with Ambition on Epic Debut Single". Rolling Stone Australia. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "Middle Kids EP". dominorecordco.us. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "Middle Kids - New Songs For Old Problems". Dork. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Jackson, Langford (14 January 2021). "Middle Kids announce new album, 'Today We're the Greatest'". NME Australia. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Discography Middle Kids". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100: 26 March 2021 – 1 April 2021". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ Jay, Deborah (18 January 2017). "Middle Kids announce debut EP, drop new single". IINAG. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- ^ Corcoran, Nina (28 March 2019). "Middle Kids announce New Songs for Old Problems EP, share 'Real Thing': Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
- ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- ^ "Adult Alternative Airplay - January 23, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- ^ "Middle Kids - Edge of Town". YouTube. May 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- ^ "Middle Kids Are Off to a Flier on "Never Start"". DIY Mag. 17 January 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ^ "Middle Kids - Old River (Official Video)". YouTube. April 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ^ "Middle Kids Newest Single "No Mistake"". indiebandguru. February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ^ "Middle Kids find beauty in disappointment on fierce new song "On My Knees"". thelineofbestfit. April 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ^ "Check Out New Song "Bought It" from Middle Kids". thelefortreport. April 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ^ "Middle Kids Share "Don't Be Hiding" Video Ahead of US Tour". noise11. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ^ "First Spin: Middle Kids give us the first taste of brand new mini-album with "Real Thing"". ABC. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ^ "R U 4 Me? – Single by Middle Kids on Apple Music". 14 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Middle Kids Share New Single, "Cellophane (Brain)"". Rolling Stone Australia. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
- ^ "Sinlgles to Radio issues 1331". The Music Network. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
- ^ "The J Award 2018". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ "NLMA reveal 2017 Nominees". NLMA. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ "Winners 2017". NLMA. December 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ "HERE ARE YOUR 2019 NATIONAL LIVE MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES!". NLMA. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ "AND THE WINNERS OF THE 2019 NATIONAL LIVE MUSIC AWARDS ARE…". NLMA. 5 December 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
External links[]
- Australian indie rock groups
- Domino Recording Company artists
- Musical groups from Sydney