Tickets to Space have today released their new single titled ‘True’. Tickets to Space have apparently decided that optimism is not a dirty word, which is a bold move in indie rock where everyone is contractually obligated to look mildly disappointed at existence. ‘True’ throws that rule directly into the nearest ditch and comes charging out with a loose, scrappy energy that feels genuinely alive. The track has a wonderfully unpolished quality, with roaring vocals, wiry guitars and a rhythm section that keeps everything moving without sanding away the rough edges. It sounds young without sounding naive, which is considerably harder to pull off than it should be.
The real trick is how quickly ‘True’ turns its uncomplicated outlook into something infectious. Tickets to Space are not attempting to convince us that they have decoded the mysteries of the universe. Instead, they are talking about love, friendship, family and the possibility of building a life that actually feels good to inhabit. Revolutionary concept, apparently. The song carries those ideas with enough youthful angst to keep things from becoming sentimental, while the band’s surf rock instincts give the whole thing a breezy Australian character that keeps the optimism from getting too polished or precious.
When the chorus hits, ‘True’ kicks open the door and lets its punk leaning side loose. The vocals become more forceful, the guitars feel increasingly unruly and the whole arrangement gains a satisfying sense of momentum. It is the kind of chorus that makes you understand why this band belongs in a sweaty room with a crowd shouting back at them. Even with its carefree surface, the performance has plenty of muscle underneath it, and that contrast gives the track its personality. Tickets to Space sound like they are having an excellent time making a racket, and thankfully they have invited everyone else along for it.
‘True’ ultimately works because it does not overcomplicate its message or pretend that happiness needs an elaborate manifesto. Tickets to Space take ordinary aspirations and give them enough volume, attitude and youthful electricity to make them feel exciting again. After the band’s strong start with “Uncovered” and “You Know Where I’ll Be Tonight”, this third single suggests they are figuring out exactly how to make their particular brand of indie surf rock hit harder without losing its carefree spirit. ‘True’ is warm, scruffy and ridiculously easy to like, which may be the most rebellious thing an indie band can do right now.
About Tickets to Space
Tickets to Space know what they want from life, and it turns out the dream is pretty simple. On their third single, ‘True’, the Meanjin/Brisbane indie surf-rock band look towards the future with youthful optimism, finding fulfilment in the simple goals, relationships and friendships they hope will follow them there.
For those just discovering Tickets to Space, the young outfit made their debut earlier this year with ‘Uncovered’, reaching number 9 on the national AMRAP chart and number 3 on the AMRAP Indie chart in June. They followed it with ‘You Know Where I’ll Be Tonight’, selling out Woolloongabba’s Cave Inn for its launch in July.
Now on ‘True’, Tickets to Space lean into a loose, rough-edged energy, particularly as the track erupts into its punk-leaning chorus. Roaring vocals push the track forward while showcasing an impressive range, with a youthful angst channeled into the band’s wiry, raucous, carefree sound.
Beneath that energy, ‘True’ is grounded in a refreshingly uncomplicated idea of what a fulfilling future might look like. As songwriter and vocalist Fraser Stott explains:
“I realized, writing ‘True’, that I’m grateful for what I’ve had growing up in my family, and I’d like the same sort of life. It’s an acknowledgement that sharing it with someone special is what the dream is all about. I also realized that my mates are a big part of my life now, and I hope they always will be. It’s a pretty simple feel-good track, and maybe that’s what we all need right now.”
With ‘True’, Tickets to Space find plenty to get excited about in the ordinary, turning thoughts of love, friendship and the life ahead into a wiry, carefree piece of indie rock.
LINKS:
https://ticketstospace.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/ticketstospace/
https://www.instagram.com/tickets_to_space/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3X8bVL7klDskDxyaXosYAa
https://www.tiktok.com/@tickets_to_space
https://www.youtube.com/@TicketsToSpace