Melbourne’s CAMP COPE are thrilled to finally reveal the full details of their highly anticipated sophomore album. Featuring the “searing” first single ‘The Opener’, their new album How To Socialise & Make Friends will be released on Friday March 2, 2018, through Poison City Records, with pre-order details to be made available in the coming weeks. Camp Cope will be previewing their album live for the first time when they take to the stage at The Forum in Melbourne this Sunday December 3, with Cash Savage and the Last Drinks and RVG.
Recorded at Holes and Corners over two days in October, How To Socialise & Make Friends anchors on the cycles of life, loss and growth through resilience and those moments of finding and being yourself. The title track and ‘Animal and Real’ celebrate the joys of being an independent unit and knowing who you are without any influence from external factors. On ‘Anna’ and ‘Sagan-Indiana’ it speaks to the non-romantic love felt towards friends; the women who shape you and women working together to find strength in numbers. A raw account of sexual assault and the feelings of isolation that follow is painted on ‘The Face of God’. Album closer ‘I’ve Got You’ shows vocalist and guitarist Georgia Maq solo, singing of her late father’s battle with cancer and their close friendship that prevails, even in death.
First single ‘The Opener’ was released earlier this month, and is an honest portrayal of their experience as women in music. It was labelled “searing” by Pitchfork and “all-too-real” by SPIN, with Stereogum including it in their best tracks of the week. triple j added it to full rotation after their world premiere, with further radio spins far and wide including Triple R, FBi Sydney, and the iconic KEXP Seattle.
Throughout the nine songs on How To Socialise & Make Friends, it becomes clear that if their 2016 self-titled debut was the spark, this is Camp Cope on full-fledged fire, stronger and more focused than ever.
Camp Cope – Georgia Maq (vocals/guitar), Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich (bass) and Sarah Thompson (drums) – have become a force in music since forming in 2015. Their Australian Music Prize-shortlisted self-titled debut saw critical acclaim from all corners, including in SPIN’s best emo, top albums in Noisey (US), with Brooklyn Vegan naming them one of the ‘Best New Bands’ and DIY Mag exclaiming, “it’s rare to find a band with the sheer songwriting ability and integrity of Camp Cope.” They sold out two shows at Sydney Opera House as part of Vivid LIVE 2017, headlined Melbourne’s Weekender Fest 2017, and toured the US for the first time earlier this year, playing through 13 states with Brooklyn band Worriers.
Camp Cope are touring Australia with Chastity Belt (USA) and a stacked lineup of local supports this March in what will be some of Camp Cope’s only headline shows of the year, and they are thrilled to share that Adelaide, Bulli and both Melbourne shows have now completely sold out. Erica Freas (RVIVR) will join them in Hobart and the Thursday night show in Melbourne, with Waterfall Person opening on the Friday night. Kelly Lloyd (Screamfeeder) will join them in Brisbane, She’s The Band opens at their sold out show in Adelaide, Moaning Lisa will support in Canberra, with The Nah opening for their sold out show in Bulli and Sports Bra in Sydney.
How To Socialise & Make Friends track list:
1. The Opener
2. How To Socialise & Make Friends
3. The Face of God
4. Anna
5. Sagan-Indiana
6. The Omen
7. Animal and Real
8. UFO Lighter
9. I’ve Got You