It’s no secret that Parades are up there on my list of favourite Sydney bands at the moment. After a self-titled, self-released first collection of songs in late 2008, followed up by the gobsmackingly brilliant Hunters/Dead Nationale single in mid-2009, the band has recently signed with label Dot Dash / Remote Control (home of Snowman, Ned Collette and others) and are on track to release their debut LP Foreign Tapes in April this year. I predict good things ahead.

Their pre-album single is “Past Lives”, and it’s a lovely, concise pop tune that’s big, pretty and spacious. It continues a trend the band seem to be exploring with more adventurous arrangements, with Efterklang-esque horns floating around the background, and loads of ambiance scattered everywhere.

The band’s had a live lineup shakeup as reported on their Myspace – their touring party now contains the girls from Kyu along with appearances from a brass section where possible. You can see these changes yourself as the band promote the new song alongside The Seabellies on the following tour dates:

• 18th March 2010 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
• 19th March 2010 – The Grand Hotel, Wollongong
• 21st March 2010 – Northern Star, Newcastle
• 27th March 2010 – John Curtin Hotel, Melbourne
• 1st April 2010 – The Clubhouse, Brisband

Get amongst it. Their live show comes highly recommended.

Download

• Past Lives (mp3)