Mermaid Avenue are back, looking at relationships from all the angles.

Back in 2018 when alt-country/indie rockers Mermaid Avenue released their debut ‘Temptation and Half the Truth‘, the album examined love in all its aspects. From the first blushes of romance (Effigy), through the ‘mid life’ of a relationship (Wagons), the passing of a loved one (Hold on to Love) even to the darkness of jealousy and obsession (Jealous of Heart) – chief songwriter Peter Clarke drew from the human experience to write honest songs about love and relationships. Critics and bloggers alike were impressed by both the strength of the songwriting and the honesty of its content.

Fast forward to 2021, through a global pandemic and the departure of some band members, to a new revamped Mermaid Avenue. The exit of long term members – guitarist Darren Madeo (to indie rock outfit Leichhardt) and bassist John Doyle (to Flint.), allowed the band to expand from a four to a six piece outfit with the addition of Mike Kearey (guitars, lap steel), Chris Wong (guitars) and Casey  Lee Chadwick (piano/keys). The addition of new bassist Mark Egan completed the lineup.

Clarke was quoted in a recent interview “The ‘new’ Mermaid Avenue is like the second car you bought. The first one will always have a special place in your heart but this one is all leather interior and has more horsepower under the hood.”

The increased horsepower is evident in the new single ‘Turn the Page‘. Musically dense yet articulate, the song tells the story of a couple working though the impact of infidelity on their long term relationship. The lyrical content is reflected in the music as Kearey’s muscular slide enages with Chadwicks delicate piano to provide the musical portrayal of a strained conversation.

The song is accompanied by a semi-animated video that also tells the story, around portrayals of the band in the studio. The single and the video are available for streaming now via most digital outlets. The new album ‘Sugartown’ is slated for release in September 2021.