Listen: Dual - Kiss (UTR Premiere)

Earlier this year electronic-psych duo Dual emerged with their chart-topping debut single 'Yellow' and now the Auckland two-piece are following up with the potent 'Kiss' - which we are delighted to premiere here at UnderTheRadar. Soak up the single below while you read our interview with bandmembers Jamie and Maurice below...

So, tell us about DUAL. Who are you? What do you both do? How did you start making music together?

We have both been involved in music since high school and were in a band called Narwhal together, trying to imitate the early Tame Impala who were our gods. Once Narwhal started winding up, we started making random recordings together, Jamie recording the guitar and backing tracks, and Maurice singing, writing melodies and lyrics. Maurice managed to convince people at his work to hire DJ and PA equipment for the weekend, so after the event had finished we would use to equipment to practice. It wasn’t until then that we realised we could actually do something with what we were making. We started playing live shows this year, experimenting with different sounds and learning what does and doesn’t work.

You’ve collaborated with London-based animator Joe Mortell for the video for your last single ‘Yellow’. How did that pairing come about?

We met online and the rest was history…He was awesome to work with and got our vibe instantly. Check that fella out if you want some digital work done.

Your new single ‘KISS’ is a journey unto itself. Tell us about the influences on the lyrics and the music...

Maurice: The lyrics are about a girl, liking her a lot but constantly having self-doubt about the whole thing and battling with the voice in my head. Also her voice was weird and the way she said my name was kind of annoying.

Jamie: This song evolved from a Massive Attack inspiration. I would stay up late and experiment with different sounds, which is where most of the upcoming EP started. Then adding guitar so I looked like I was doing something live, and that ended up taking these songs in different directions.

You guys are playing Rhythm and Vines this year. That’s pretty impressive for a fairly recent band. How’d you suss that out? Have you ever been before?

Yea we’ve both been before and done it the dirty way in the past… We’re really stoked to be playing and a huge thanks to Reuben at Banished Music for pushing us. We’re also playing a whole bunch of shows in January so summers gonna be fun.


Dual's debut EP is slated for release in March via Banished Music