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The Beths

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The Beths
The Beths performing at the Capitol Hill Block Party in 2022
The Beths performing at the Capitol Hill Block Party in 2022
Background information
OriginAuckland, New Zealand
Genres
Years active2014–present
Labels
MembersElizabeth Stokes
Jonathan Pearce
Benjamin Sinclair
Tristan Deck
Past membersIvan Luketina-Johnston
Websitethebeths.com

The Beths are a New Zealand indie rock band, formed in Auckland in 2014.[1][2] The group principally consists of lead vocalist Elizabeth Stokes, guitarist Jonathan Pearce, bassist Benjamin Sinclair, and drummer Tristan Deck.[3] Meeting at the University of Auckland, the band signed to Carpark Records in 2018, where they have released the albums Future Me Hates Me (2018), Jump Rope Gazers (2020), and Expert in a Dying Field (2022). They have toured internationally with Death Cab for Cutie[2], The National[4], and received praise from Rolling Stone[5] and Pitchfork.[6]

History

Elizabeth Stokes and Jonathan Pearce originally met in high school, and they met both Benjamin Sinclair and Ivan Luketina-Johnston when all four attended classes at the University of Auckland, studying jazz. Prior to The Beths, Luketina-Johnston was performing swing under the moniker of Sal Valentine. Stokes, Pearce and Sinclair were all a part of his backing band, The Babyshakes, for various tenures.[7][8]

The Beths were formed in late 2014 and released their first single "Idea/Intent" via SoundCloud in July 2015.[9] Stokes said that she named the band using her own name, after being inspired by Gilmore Girls character Lorelai Gilmore naming her daughter after herself.[1] In March 2016, the band independently released their debut EP, Warm Blood. The EP spawned a single, "Whatever," which was released with an accompanying music video in May 2016.[10]

The Beths have received financial support from the NZ on Air and NZ Music Commission.[11] In September 2015, the band received money to make the single and video for "Whatever" from NZ on Air.[12] In May 2016, NZ on Air funded a video for "Lying in the Sun".[13] Through their Outward Sound program, the NZ Music Commission funded three tours as part of their international music market development grants.[14][15][16]

A new single, "Great No One," was released in October 2017.[17] The song was the first to be lifted from the band's debut album, Future Me Hates Me. Prior to the album's release in 2018, the band announced their signing to Carpark Records in the US (who also reissued Warm Blood internationally)[18] and to Dew Process in Australia.[19] The album was released globally on 10 August 2018, followed by an international tour supporting the release.[6] The title track was nominated as one of five finalists for the 2018 Silver Scroll award in New Zealand.[20][21]

In 2018, Luketina-Johnston permanently departed from the band to focus on Sal Valentine.[citation needed]

In November 2018, the band announced the forthcoming release of a new seven-inch, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. The vinyl features the band's cover of the traditional title track, as well as a demo version of their song "Happy Unhappy."[22] "Happy Unhappy" was named 2018 Rolling Stone magazine song of the summer.[5]

In early 2019, the band undertook a tour of the UK and Europe supporting Death Cab for Cutie.[2]

Label art for Jump Rope Gazers

Their second studio album Jump Rope Gazers was released in July 2020.[23][24]

On 13 June 2022, the single "Silence Is Golden" was released with the announcement of their third album, Expert in a Dying Field, which was released on 16 September 2022.[25]

Musical style

The band is known for its use of vocal harmony, using the voices of all four band members.[23] Members of the band have cited Alvvays and Bully as inspirations for their work.[26]

Band members

Current members

Former members

  • Ivan Luketina-Johnston – drums, backing vocals, percussion (2014–2018)

Former touring musicians

  • Katie Everingham – drums, backing vocals (2018)
  • Chris Pearce – bass, backing vocals (2018)
  • Adam Tobeck – drums, backing vocals, percussion (2018)

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with release date and label shown
Title Details Peak chart positions
NZ
[27] 		AUS
[28]
Future Me Hates Me 19 —
Jump Rope Gazers
  • Released: 10 July 2020
  • Label: Carpark, Rough Trade, Ivy League
  • Formats: Vinyl, CD, digital download, streaming, cassette
 2 —
Expert in a Dying Field
  • Released: 16 September 2022
  • Label: Carpark, Rough Trade, Ivy League
  • Formats: Vinyl, CD, digital download, streaming, cassette
 1 80

Live albums

List of live albums, with release date and label shown
Title Details Peak chart positions
NZ
[27]
Auckland, New Zealand, 2020
  • Released: 17 September 2021
  • Label: Carpark, Ivy League
  • Formats: Vinyl, CD, digital download, streaming
 19

Extended plays

List of EPs, with release date and label shown
Title Details
Warm Blood
  • Released: 11 March 2016[29]
  • Label: Carpark, Ivy League
  • Formats: Vinyl, CD, digital download, streaming, cassette

Singles

List of singles, with year released and album shown
Title Year Album
"Idea/Intent"[30] 2015 Warm Blood
"Whatever"[31] 2016
"Lying in the Sun"[32]
"Great No One"[33] 2017 Future Me Hates Me
"Future Me Hates Me"[34] 2018
"Happy Unhappy"[35]
"You Wouldn't Like Me"[36]
"Little Death"[37]
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"[38] Non-album single
"Dying to Believe"[39] 2020 Jump Rope Gazers
"I'm Not Getting Excited"[40]
"Out of Sight"[41]
"A Real Thing"[42] 2022 Non-album single
"Silence Is Golden"[25] Expert In a Dying Field
"Expert In a Dying Field"
"Knees Deep"
"Watching the Credits"[43] 2023 TBA

Guest appearances

List of other featured appearances
Title Year Album
"Mississippi Moonshine Girls"[44] 2016 Waiting for Your Love: A Tribute to The Reduction Agents
"What's the Matter with You" 2021[45] True Colours, New Colours: The Songs of Split Enz

Music videos

List of music videos, with year released and director shown
Title Year Director
"Whatever"[31] 2016 Alex Hoyles
"Lying in the Sun"[32] Dahnu Graham
"Future Me Hates Me"[46] 2018 Christopher Stratton
"Happy Unhappy" (Lyric Video)[35] None
"You Wouldn't Like Me"[36] Ezra Simons
"Little Death"[37] Norwood Cheek
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"[47] The Bub Club and Hamish Parkinson
"Uptown Girl"[48] 2019 Callum Devlin and The Beths
"Dying to Believe"[49] 2020 Callum Devlin
"I'm Not Getting Excited"[40]
"Out of Sight"[50] Ezra Simons
The Beths - Auckland, New Zealand, 2020 (Official Film)[51] 2021 Callum Devlin
"Silence Is Golden"[52] 2022
"Expert In a Dying Field" Frances Carter
"Knees Deep"[53] Callum Devlin and Annabel Kean

References

  1. ^ a b Enis, Eli (7 August 2018). "The Beths on the Sly Humor and Irresistible Hooks of Their Debut Album". Rolling Stone.
  2. ^ a b c Kallao, Stephen; Junod, Kimberly (6 May 2018). "With A Big Pop Sound And Sticky Turn Of Phrases, The Beths Are Taking Over" (Includes audio performance). World Cafe. NPR.
  3. ^ "SAL VALENTINE & THE BABYSHAKES, DICTAPHONE BLUES, SUPERHERO SECOND LINE + THE BETHS LIVE AT THE KINGS ARMS". Facebook. 27 April 2022. Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  4. ^ Jones, Abby (28 March 2023). "The Beths Share New Single "Watching the Credits," Expand 2023 Tour Dates". Consequence.
  5. ^ a b Dolan, Jon (23 June 2018). "The Beths' 'Happy Unhappy' Is the Song of the Summer". Rolling Stone.
  6. ^ a b Fitzmaurice, Larry (18 August 2018). "The Beths: Future Hates Me". Pitchfork.
  7. ^ Hollywood, Michael. "The Beths: Warm Blood EP". NZ Musician. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  8. ^ "Sal Valentine and the Babyshakes". Sal Valentine. 17 October 2013 – via Bandcamp.
  9. ^ "Idea/Intent by The Beths". The Beths. July 2015 – via SoundCloud.
  10. ^ "The Beths – "Whatever"". The Beths. May 2016 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ McMahan, Tim (11 July 2019). "Ten Questions with The Beths". The Reader.
  12. ^ "September 2015 Making Tracks Funding decisions". NZ on Air. September 2015.
  13. ^ "May 2016 Making Tracks funding decisions". NZ on Air. May 2016.
  14. ^ "Outward Sound Recipients Round 2 2018". NZ Music Commission. 21 June 2018.
  15. ^ "Outward Sound Recipients Round 3 2018". NZ Music Commission. 27 August 2018.
  16. ^ "Outward Sound Recipients Round 4 2018". NZ Music Commission. 7 December 2018.
  17. ^ "Premiere: The Beths Share New Single 'Great No One'". Under the Radar (NZ). 16 October 2017.
  18. ^ Bakerstein, D.L. (10 April 2018). "Kiwi pop-punkers (punk-poppers?) The Beths sign to Carpark Records, re-release debut EP on cassette, announce gnarly world tour dates". Tiny Mix Tapes.
  19. ^ "Introducing The Beths, your new favourite Middle Earth-based band". Pile Rats. November 2018.
  20. ^ Belfield, James (30 August 2018). "Simply the Beths: Why this new Auckland band is a Silver Scroll contender". New Zealand Listener.
  21. ^ "Winners Announced for the APRA Silver Scroll Awards". APRA AMCOS. 4 October 2018.
  22. ^ Gray, Julia (30 November 2018). "The Beths – "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"". Stereogum.
  23. ^ a b Linnell, Amanda (23 December 2018). "Why The Beths Are The Next Big Thing In Music". Viva Magazine.
  24. ^ "The Beths: Jump Rope Gazers". Pitchfork. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  25. ^ a b "The Beths Announce New Album 'Expert In a Dying Field', Share Video for New Single". Our Culture. 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  26. ^ Cudby, Chris (21 August 2022). "Interview: The Beths Talk About Their Debut Album 'Future Me Hates Me'". UnderTheRadarNZ. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  27. ^ a b "Discography The Beths". charts.nz. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  28. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 26 September 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1699. Australian Recording Industry Association. 26 September 2022. p. 6.
  29. ^ DeVille, Chris (9 April 2018). "Stream: The Beths Warm Blood". Stereogum. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  30. ^ "Idea/Intent from Warm Blood by The Beths". 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2020 – via Bandcamp.
  31. ^ a b "UTR Premiere: Watch The Beths' New Video For 'Whatever' (+ Interview)". UTR. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  32. ^ a b "Video: The Beths – Lying In The Sun (UTR Premiere)". UTR. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  33. ^ Aikins, Gabriel (17 July 2018). "The Beths share new single "Great No One" from upcoming LP". Substream Magazine. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  34. ^ "Anatomy of a Scroll: The Beths, 'Future Me Hates Me'". Radio New Zealand. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  35. ^ a b Aikins, Gabriel (5 June 2018). "The Beths release new single "Happy Unhappy", pineapple-centric music video". Substream Magazine. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  36. ^ a b Spoerl, Steven (12 August 2018). "The Beths – You Wouldn't Like Me (Music Video)". Heartbreaking Bravery. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  37. ^ a b Gotrich, Lars (6 September 2018). "In The Beths' euphoric 'Little Death,' love can make you fly". NPR. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  38. ^ Roberts, Christopher (30 November 2018). "The Beths share cover of Judy Garland's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"". Under the Radar. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  39. ^ Dolan, Jon (8 April 2020). "Song You Need to Know: The Beths, 'Dying to Believe'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  40. ^ a b James Young, David (13 May 2020). "The Beths release new single 'I'm Not Getting Excited'". NME. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  41. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (16 June 2020). "The Beths preview second album with third single "Out Of Sight"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  42. ^ Russell, Scott. "The Beths Are Back with "A Real Thing"". PASTE Magazine. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  43. ^ "Listen to The Beths' anthemic new single 'Watching The Credits'". NME. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  44. ^ "Stream The Reduction Agents tribute album 'Waiting For Your Love'". Under the Radar NZ. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  45. ^ "True Colours, New Colours: The Songs of Split Enz". JBhiFi. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  46. ^ "The Beths – "Future Me Hates Me" (Official Music Video)". 9 May 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2020 – via YouTube.
  47. ^ "The Beths share video 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'". UTR. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  48. ^ "The Beths – "Uptown Girl" (Official Music Video)". 27 February 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2022 – via YouTube.
  49. ^ Triscari, Caleb (9 April 2020). "The Beths announce new album, 'Jump Rope Gazers'". NME. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  50. ^ Millar, Mark (16 June 2020). "The Beths share video for new single 'Out of Sight' – Watch Now". XS Noize. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  51. ^ The Beths (17 September 2021). "The Beths - Auckland, New Zealand, 2020 (Official Film)". Found.EE. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  52. ^ "The Beths – "Silence Is Golden" (Official Music Video)". 13 June 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022 – via YouTube.
  53. ^ "The Beths – "Knees Deep" (Official Music Video)". 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022 – via YouTube.
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