Great Gable Unveils Third Studio Album 'Small Fry'

West Australian indie-rock favourites Great Gable have today unveiled their third studio album Small Fry via Warner Music Australia. Listen HERE. The distinctly home state affair hears the band doing their first recording stint at home in Perth since 2018, and their first time at Blackbird Studios with Dave Parkin (Spacey Jane, Jebediah). And in-turn lead singer Alex Whiteman, guitarist Matt Preen, bassist Christopher Bye, and drummer Madi Hanley have produced a record that shows the rest of the world what makes Western Australia so special. 

Reflecting on the atmosphere of Small Fry, Alex says, "We wanted to create an authentic record that sounds like four people in a room playing their instruments. We didn't want to go over the top with any weird sounds or anything like that. We just focused on the writing and the songs themselves. The overall feeling of Small Fry is probably a bit happier than our past records, which might be a sign that we're happier people at the moment."

This happiness is infectious: it's not hard to break out in a smile when listening to Small Fry. Lead single 'Best Friend' is an ode to that special person in one's life, while new focus single 'Hometown' is a celebration of growing up, and captures Alex's experiences living in Bunbury. He reflects, "It's pretty much me remembering what it was like to grow up down there, thinking back and drawing on things like the little house on the corner of the street, which was a house I lived in." A stunning visualiser for 'Hometown' has also been shared today.

 

While Small Fry is the perfect accompaniment to priceless memories, there are also small touches that'll reward repeat, focused listens. 'I Would Rather Be Happy Than Right' was recorded at Alex's home on his tape deck, and the instrumental track is instantly charming (especially for those that are believers in the harmonica revival). Elsewhere, the slide guitar on 'Asleep', one of the album's slower moments, and one of its standouts – adds to the sense of warmth that powers the record. Nostalgic while sounding distinctly fresh, Small Fry is a celebration of the best days gone by, and the perfect days still to come.

SMALL FRY TRACKLISTING

1. Best Friend

​2.Think Again Motherf*cker
​3. You Shall Not Pass
​4. Fogged Up
​5. Hometown
​6. I'd Rather Be Happy Than Right
​7. Muck About
​8. She Said
​9. Fine Wine
​10. Wouldn't Be So Mean
​11. Blue Eyes
​12. Asleep

The four-piece will hit the road in March 2025 for an Australian headline tour. Kicking off in Brisbane at The Brightside on Friday 7 March, they then head to Sunshine Coast at Solbar on Saturday 8 March, Sydney at Oxford Art Factory on Friday 14 March, Melbourne at The Corner Hotel on Saturday 15 March, before wrapping up in Perth at Rosemount Hotel on Friday 21 March. Tickets are on sale now.

The band's schedule for 2024 has kept them booked and busy. Earlier this year, they wrapped up a massive 18-date debut headline tour of the UK & Europe, a headline New Zealand tour, and returned to the UK & Europe supporting Lime Cordiale and performing at a run of festivals.

It's been a steady and relentless rise for the Great Gable who began jamming together after meeting at university in Perth. Alex and Matt were childhood friends, drawn together with a mutual love of artists like Jack Johnson, Bon Iver, Noah And The Whale, and The Kooks. It didn't take the four of them long to gain attention: early EPs like 2016's GG, 2017's Modern Interactions, and 2019's Lazy Bones Tapes brilliantly collided early 2000s NYC rock and UK indie, with a fair whack of Australian summer thrown in there for good measure. 

By the time their debut album Tracing Faces arrived in 2020, Great Gable had already amassed millions of streams. They went on to grace the stages of festivals like Groovin The Moo and Falls Festival, and notch up a stack of enviable support slots with the likes of The Jungle Giants, Thelma Plum, and Ocean Alley. In 2022 they released their sophomore record On The Wall In The Morning Light which was spearheaded by the hugely successful singles such as 'Hazy', and the exhilarating 'Dancing Shoes'. They then followed it up with 2023's EP Read The Room. Featuring the singles 'So Cool' and 'Pumpernickel', the bold collection of songs hinted at a live focus which was complemented by a sold out national tour run supporting Matt Corby as well as an extensive headline tour.

GREAT GABLE 2025 HEADLINE AUSTRALIAN TOUR

Friday 7 March - The Brightside - Brisbane QLD
​Saturday 8 March - Solbar - Sunshine Coast QLD
​Friday 14 March - Oxford Art Factory - Sydney NSW
​Saturday 15 March - The Corner Hotel - Melbourne VIC
​Friday 21 March - Rosemount Hotel - Perth WA

 

 

"If you're new to Great Gable's music, the only way I can think to describe it is a melted rainbow Paddle Pop getting slowly dripped into your mouth-ears on a hot summer's day." - LIVE WITHOUT ANDY

"The Australian indie rock outfit are bringing more summer-soaked anthems." - ROLLING STONE AUSTRALIA

"Their music instantly makes me imagine lush green leaves and a warm summer haze" - TENNER MAG