2020 wasn't going to let RADelaide's Rogue Half stop from release two fan-fucking-tastic releases which in turn set them up for a potentially big future in Australia's alt-rock scene!
'Bite My Tongue' and 'Play Pretend' have cemented the band's place in the heavy music scene and the best part is, there's plenty more music to come as the band have been busily writing during the year to keep the momentum going.
Despite not being able to play shows this year, they've kept busy doing the rounds promoting their own music (a great way for new acts to get noticed) and frontman Matt Keal even spared some of his time to tell us about the music he rated this year and how COVID got in the way of their plans... Take a look below!
TOP 5 RELEASES OF 2020?
#5. Slaves – To Better Days
#4. Alpha Wolf – A Quiet Place to Die
#3. Bring Me the Horizon – Post Human: Survival Horror
#2. Mac Miller - Circles
#1. Currents – The Way it Ends
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZnZ-CpX57Y
TOP 5 SONGS OF 2020?
#5. Holding Absence - 'Birdcage'
#4. Make Them Suffer - 'Bones'
#3. Currents - 'A Flag to Wave'
#2. Alpha Wolf - 'Akudama'
#1. Bring Me the Horizon - 'Obey (with YUNGBLUD)'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ENMe1rlA0M
BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF 2020?
Bring Me the Horizon - 'Obey (with YUNGBLUD)'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AolstL1_MhE
LAST GIG YOU PLAYED BEFORE COVID
The last show we played was well before the threat of COVID-19 was ever present. We played main support for Wither when they came to Adelaide in March 2019. After this show, we decided to take some time to reorganize ourselves around a new lineup and the new material we had written, only to find that when we were ready to hit the stage again, the stages were gone.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEWjHWqBF4O/
HOW DID COVID/LOCKDOWNS AFFECT YOU/YOUR BAND?
We have had a long time between performances now, so it has been hard to adapt to practice when there are no upcoming shows. It is hard to motivate yourself to keep on top of your live performance like this.
On the other hand, we have learned the benefit of having patience and spending more time on releases to make sure they are the best they can be, rather than rushing through the creative process. It has given us time to sit on our material and give it room to breathe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvtiGW3nQ48
BIGGEST THING YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF IN 2020
I am more resilient than I thought. There are a lot of changes we have all had to adapt to, and I think its amazing how much people can take and adapt to so that we continue to live to the best of our ability.
We are all so busy making plans but really we are at the whim of the world and the people that surround you are more important as they will stay as plans come and go.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDP2sgfjr7v/
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2021?
Finally getting back on the stage and playing shows. Hopefully looking to visit some other states if the conditions permit!
Words by Matt Keal. Insta: @mattkeal
