Makeshift Art Bar – release final EP preview ahead of ‘Marionette’ EP

Belfast quartet Makeshift Art Bar share final EP preview ‘Servant’,out today (June 24th), taken from their ‘Marionette’ EP (pre-order here) arriving this Friday (June 26th) via Heist or Hit (Westside Cowboy, Her’s).

Fresh from supporting Chalk on their spring European tour run, as well as the group’s own Dublin & Derry headliners+ 3Olympia show w/ Just Mustard, the frenetic four-piece have fast established themselves as one of the most fearless new voices in the underground scene. Folding post-punk into grunge into electronica, by way of proto sludge metal, hardcore and art rock, the rising sonic powerhouse have cemented their place as one of the most exhilaratingly coarse noise-outfits on the planet through sheer guts alone.

Detailing their EP teaser, Makeshift Art Bar explained: “‘Servant’ is us at our most abstract, sonically and lyrically. It is an experiment in repetition, echoing lyrical themes of brain-washing and possession. The psychedelic effect of ‘repetitive’ music was very much on our minds when writing Servant. It also feels like a bridge between our guitar focused tracks and synth leaning tracks, embodying that “guitar that doesn’t sound like a guitar” influence.”

Part-arch absurdist’s, part dissonant poets, the band shared scintillating EP lead single ‘Chocolate’ to plenty of fanfare in April, whilst the metallic intent of second reveal ‘Discipline’ leant heavily on the fierce influence of 80s industrial music. In EP closer ‘Servant’, the newcomers explore a more abstract take on the idea of the power struggle, filtered through religious imagery and self-awareness of one’s own actions, coupled with an inability to exert control over them in their own trademark style.

Newly-partnered with indie heavyweights Heist or Hit, the enigmatic four-piece are primed for their own UK headline tour this autumn to celebrate their EP’s arrival. Having already ticked off a BBC 6 Music playlist spot and live session, praise continues to circulate throughout the press landscape with nods of approval from DIY Magazine, Dork Magazine, So Young, The Line of Best Fit, Clash, Rolling Stone UK and Rough Trade to name a few.

Produced by Gilla Band’s Daniel Fox (Sprints, MELTS, Psychotic Monks), Makeshift Art Bar’s ‘Servant’ is out now via Heist or Hit and available on all digital platforms.

Live Dates

6 SEP – Edinburgh Psych Festival (UK)

12 OCT – The Cluny, Newcastle (UK)

14 OCT – Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds (UK)

15 OCT – The Quarry, Liverpool (UK)

16 OCT – The Abbey, Manchester (UK)

18 OCT – Exchange, Bristol (UK)

20 OCT – Green Door Store, Brighton (UK)

21 OCT – Dublin Castle, London (UK)

22 OCT – Croc’ the Rock Festival, Lausanne (CH)

‘Marionette’ EP Artwork © Alanah Quayle