The Hard Aches Party Ghost

Beloved rockers The Hard Aches have announced their first new single since 2019, Party Ghost, a lightning strike of a song that explores finding comfort in the uncomfortable – out today. The group have also announced a mammoth national tour to celebrate the release, kicking off in July and moving through major and regional cities across QLD, NSW, ACT, TAS and SA, wrapping up on Kaurna Land at The Governor Hindmarsh on August 6. Party Ghost, which features Cahli Blakers of Teenage Joans on backing vocals, is the first taste of The Hard Aches' new album, set to drop later in 2022.

Party Ghost is one of those rare songs that hits the listener with a wave of nostalgia upon the very first listen – evocative and complete, brightly distorted guitars propel the song forward, reaching for tightly constructed arcs that follow the song's lyrics in perfect tandem. Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, Ben David explains, "It's all about finding yourself in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar smells and unfamiliar sounds…it's about reflecting on your own existence, and your own experiences then learning from them, and doing everything you can to do better. Most of all, it's about trying to understand how it must feel to be an animal, moved away from your safe place, put through big changes, and unable to understand them."

Recorded during lockdown at Southbank Studios in Adelaide, Party Ghost is a testament to The Hard Aches' ethos as creatives – keeping empathy at the fore, passionate about society's treatment of animals, and committed to exploring the emotional breadth that all living beings share. With this ideology in mind, the lyric "I'm sure you'll come back when the parties get boring," takes on a whole new meaning.

After supporting Aussie legends Grinspoon on their national tour in 2019, touring came to an abrupt halt for The Hard Aches, as the band were directly affected by first the Black Summer bushfires, then the pandemic, keeping the band on home soil for two years. But they made the most of a bad situation, raising over $16,000 in bushfire relief funds, then using the coronavirus lockdown time to write and record their new album, which is expected to drop before the year is out.

In the meantime, The Hard Aches are stoked to return to the national touring circuit in July and August to celebrate Party Ghost and the return of shows, as Ben says, "It's been a huge shock to the system, not being able to share in the smiles and good times that come with touring and playing shows. It feels surreal to be back announcing shows – but it feels right. We are stronger than ever as a band with this new material, and with the addition of the amazing Eb Tonkin on bass. We really can't wait to get back out there."