The Rions share new EP Happiness In A Place It Shouldn’t Be, AU headline tour kicking off this October
PRAISE FOR The Rions
“A coming-of-age moment”
“Minivan builds on the strong promise The Rions have been showing for a while now”
“One group that has managed to set itself apart from the masses”
“Poised to be one of the biggest bands in the country soon enough”
“Making waves across the Australian music scene, both thanks to their unique take on relaxed, soulful rock, and their tenacity to be the best they can be”
“Their success is not only a testament to their talent and dedication but a further reflection of their ability to create their own unique identity in an ever competitive industry”
“With this joyous and melancholic anthem, The Rions solidify themselves as one of the country's best (and most beloved) bands. [Physical Medicine]”
TRACKLIST
1. Sweet Cocoon
2. Passionfruit
3. Friend
4. Time Will Try
5. Physical Medicine
6. The Part
Happiness In A Place It Shouldn’t Be by The Rions is out now, buy/stream it here.
The Rions today share their highly anticipated second EP Happiness In A Place It Shouldn’t Be, ahead of their biggest-ever Australian headline tour kicking off this October. LISTEN HERE + TOUR DETAILS HERE.
The follow-up to their coming-of-age debut EP Minivan, Happiness In A Place It Shouldn’t Be encapsulates the band’s transformation from high school ones-to-watch, to the self-assured band they’ve now become. Where Minivan hones in on the youthful energy of life’s pivotal transition into adulthood, Happiness In A Place It Shouldn’t Be delves deeper into the universally felt experiences of existentialism and inter-and-outer-personal relationships, even extending into the bonds of friendship the four-piece have formed with each other in fan-favourite ‘Time Will Try’.
Unveiling three new songs with today’s EP, The Rions continue to break new ground, deftly balancing the infectious accessibility of their pop rhythms and the emotional depth of their lyrics. New song ‘Passionfruit’, written in a session with frequent collaborator Chris Collins (Matt Corby, Skegss, Middle Kids), takes cues from the smooth synths of The Killers and the grunge-tinged guitar tones of The Strokes, as the band romanticise their experience of touring and exploring a new city each night. Also featured on the EP is the stand-out track ‘Friend’, which sees the band draw upon a soulful, country aesthetic to convey the heartbreak of a relationship that’s run its course (“And I’ll love you softly / But I’ll love you as a friend”), and the serendipitous piano ballad ‘The Part’, which closes the EP with a raw display of vulnerability.
The Rions’ unapologetic honesty permeates throughout the project, evident since their first previews of the EP in recent singles ‘Sweet Cocoon’ and ‘Physical Medicine’ – both of which peaked at #1 most played on triple j, receiving further support from the likes of Rolling Stone Australia, NME, The Music, iHeartRadio, and Ones To Watch among others. Firmly establishing their proficiency for anthemic indie-rock songwriting, and steadfast in their commitment to sincerity and humility in their storytelling, the band share, “For our second EP, we wanted to approach it with raw authenticity. This is the most genuine we’ve ever been with our stories, and we’re thrilled to share it with you all.”
From three consecutive years of triple j Hottest 100 entries, Rolling Stone Award nominations, back-to-back sell-out tours, and their international debut in Aotearoa / New Zealand earlier this year, The Rions have emerged as one of the country’s most in-demand acts. Having recently arrived home following their debut UK and Europe tour, co-headlining with Pacific Avenue, The Rions will hit the road next month for their upcoming Happiness In Places national headline tour. The massive 21-date run will see the band hit capital cities and regional hotspots around the country, before ending the year with festival sets at Beyond The Valley and Lost Paradise. For all tour dates and details, see BELOW.
Forming back in high school under the encouragement of their music teacher, Mr. Stone (father to Northern Beaches musical royalty Angus & Julia), Noah Blockley, Harley Wilson, Asher McLean, and Tom Partington began their journey. They uploaded their single ‘Night Light’ to triple j Unearthed, eventually winning Unearthed High in 2021, catapulting them to national recognition. The Rions embarked on their first headline tour in Aug/Sep 2022, selling out all nine shows weeks in advance with their spin on indie-rock. Influenced by Arctic Monkeys to The Beatles, their sound has amassed 35 million streams worldwide, featuring hits like ‘Sadie’, ‘Halfway Out’, and ‘Head Still Hurts’, followed by ‘Disassociation’ and ‘Anakin’.
The Rions have solidified their status from ‘ones to watch’ to in-demand through steady touring, supporting acts like Lime Cordiale and Boy & Bear, while gracing festivals such as Grapevine Gathering, Yours & Owls, and Tunes In The Park (UK). Their debut Minivan EP propelled them forward with 3 x placements in triple j’s Hottest 100, a Rolling Stone Award nomination and back-to-back sellout tours including two sold out Metro Theatre shows in Sydney, along with acclaim across triple j, NME and Ones to Watch.
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