London-based punk duo, Shelf Lives, have just released another new single and music video, “Where Did I Go?,” written with Dan Smith of Noisettes. It is the band’s second release of 2024, following their previous track, “Uncle Fred.” Shelf Lives have also announced an October 23rd release date for their upcoming EP No Idea. Check out the new video and more below.
“We’ve noticed there is a spinning wheel of trying to “find yourself” that people repeatedly jump on regardless of continuously getting re-consumed in media shitstorms, social echo chamber conversations, and algorithms that feel unavoidable.” said the band. “By the time you figure out you’ve jumped headfirst down the rabbit hole and have to start over again, you’re angry. “Where Did I Go?” is that place of seeing red before coming out of it just in time to willingly get back on the wheel.”
Speaking on the 4-track EP – the band said, “Generally, we have no idea what we’re doing, what the point is, what’s going on at the time, what to call this EP so “No Idea” seemed fitting. We don’t feel alone, though. No one has a clue or any real control. We’ve been led to focus on finding and living an external purpose that should make us happy. We think we know what’s right for the world and what isn’t. We think we know what’s “cool” and what isn’t. We think we know what harmony is and how to achieve it. In reality, we’re too busy with surviving the dumpster fire that is our social system to know anything but, we always have hope and silver linings to keep us laughing, and we will. No Idea is a symbolic throwing in of the towel. If no one knows then “who cares?”. It can be seemingly intense at first but in the end, it’s liberating.”
Never a band to rest on their laurels, Shelf Lives have a jam-packed summer performing at festivals across the UK and Europe including their own London headline show at the Moth Club in London to celebrate the release of the EP on October. Be sure to catch Shelf Lives at one of the following shows this year (more to be added).
July:
11th UK, Cheltenham, 2000 Trees Festival
27th UK, London, Strongroom, East London Block Party
August:
2nd UK, Derbyshire, Y Not Festival
3rd UK, Lowther Deer Park, Lake District, Kendal Calling
4th UK, Milton Keynes, Craufurd Arms
10th UK, Hampshire, Boomtown Festival
13th Italy, Montebello Di Bertona, Rock Your Head Festival
16th UK, Wales, Greenman Festival
18th UK, Stockton-on-Tees, Hardwick Festival
23rd UK, Silloth, Solfest Festival
October:
12th UK, Manchester, Disorder
18th ES, Castellón, Terra
23rd UK, London, Moth Club
November:
19th UK, Portsmouth, Edge Of The Wedge
Tickets are available from www.shelflives.co/live
2023 was a huge year for Shelf Lives. Pairing hardcore punk’s brief blasts of energy with electroclash’s minimal and sleazy sonics, the dynamic duo raise themes of societal collapse and hyper-consumerism with a warped smile. The result taps into headspace that’s as rotten as it is dopamine-flooded, with pent-up frustration and pop hooks tossed together in a way that makes, in their own words, “the fucked up seem fun.” Never a band to rest on their laurels, Shelf Lives released their critically acclaimed EP You OK? (in October 2023 on Modern Sky), the band embarked on a packed-out UK and EU headline tour, sold-out their hometown show at Sebright Arms, smashed it on a UK support tour with SNAYX, a run of shows with Sløtface, Paris adventures with The Kills and Jehnny Beth, support slots with Pigs x7 and impressive festival sets at Glastonbury and The Great Escape.
Though Shelf Lives have only been a band since the end of 2021, the exhilarating duo have already built up a list of impressive wins, from playing at Glastonbury to supporting Skunk Anansie on a full EU/UK tour and performing at shows alongside THUMPER, Skating Polly, Dream Nails, Nuha Ruby Ra, Panic Shack and Sick Joy, as well as being announced as recipients of PRS Foundation‘s Open Fund for Music Creators. They released their first mini-album Yes, offence – a danceable outburst of dissonant guitar riffs, jackhammer beats and black comedic lyrics – in 2022, and have continued to nurture an ever-growing fanbase with more recent singles:
“Skirts & Salads” https://youtu.be/kTbZf9Xv4HE
“Bite” https://youtu.be/z5UrjKuD0s4
“All The Problems” https://youtu.be/g3k8ZwyzT5I
“Off the Rails” https://youtu.be/_oF6Dof3akc
“PVC Real Estate” https://youtu.be/qMeTaCF8p4M
“Uncle Fred” https://youtu.be/OFyzmJpdN2w
Coming together from Toronto and Northampton respectively, but now London-based, Shelf Lives comprises vocalist Sabrina Di Giulio and guitarist/producer Jonny Hillyard. On the face of it, the band make catchy, energetic pop songs that bring the abrasiveness and physicality of punk back to a small, cramped house party setting. It’s music so rowdy you can practically feel the sweat on the ceiling and the sound of crushed cans under your feet.
Shelf Lives said their EP, “You Okay? is like one big fun mental breakdown. We offer a unique perspective with each track, providing glimpses through various lenses, and allowing us to explore diverse experiences of what kind of world we live in. The EP captures the delicate balance we constantly find ourselves in, always on the edge of a seemingly societal collapse. It’s a wonder how willingly we contribute to this intricate dance, and our EP serves as a testament to the curious nature of our collective participation. Do with that information as you will, everyone will relate to the tracks differently and find a unique meaning. Mental breakdowns are a personal experience, after all 😉”
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