EXCLUSIVE: Spunk signs NOIRE

“I find the artists that I get attracted to these days, come from regional centres or small towns,” said Aaron Curnow, Spunk Records founder/label head. “They are in their own bubble growing up or something.”

There must be something in the small town water. Curnow has just signed Sydney-formed, Gympie natives NOIRE to his label, TIO can exclusively reveal.

Jessica Mincher (vocals) and Billy James (guitar) unveiled their new single ‘Real Cool’ this week, the first single from their forthcoming debut album Some Kind of Blue out September 29.

Jessica Mincher said the band was inspired by a performance by Miranda July at the Sydney Opera House:

“She said some incredible things like ‘I continue to forget and remember and forget and remember and forget and remember that I’m free.’ The next day I quit my job, Billy and I left Sydney and we moved up to a farm in Queensland, with no phone or internet reception for three months to write an album,” she said. “We set up a make-shift studio in the lounge room, next to the fireplace and tried to record something every day.”

NOIRE may have penned their debut record on a farm, but its shoegaze synth sits at home amongst European contemporaries like Air and Jean-Luc Godard.

“I think NOIRE have all the attributes to do well internationally,” said Aaron Curnow. “They have strong songs and a strong image.”

Billy James said of the signing: “We got our dream Australian label! Aaron has put out records from some of our favourite bands – we’re so honoured that he asked to release our first album.”

Spunk started life as a fanzine and a part-time tour operator. It now boasts acts like Animal Collective, Arcade Fire, Mac Demarco, Bright Eyes and Sufjan Stevens.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.