Indie-alt-rock act NO CIGAR have today returned with the third single off their upcoming album THE GREAT ESCAPE, the raw and punchy track ‘Concubine’.
A sparse, extended intro builds anticipation for the song, lingering on a cruisy sonic path of slide guitars and a melancholic, rhythm guitar. A driving beat and pulsing bass however take the single on a brilliant turn for the unexpected, settling into an infectious, groove-laden track that has been tried and tested to get a crowd moving.
“‘Concubine’ got the crowd moving on our winter tour, earlier this year,” says NO CIGAR’s Arthur Gillies. “This song has a point of difference from many of the songs we’ve written, but it feels right. We’ve played it live a handful of times pre-release, and the response we got was immense. We’re excited to bring this one to life, and see what comes of it when people can sing along”
Made with support from NZ On Air, ‘Concubine’ was recorded at Roundhead Studios after the band spent a month away in Mangawhai, writing and refining their upcoming album THE GREAT ESCAPE. Produced and mixed by Connor Jaine (Mako Road, Flaxxies, Casper, Summer Thieves, Dolphin Friendly), and mastered in the UK by Andy Miles, the single delves into new sonic territory, showcasing the breadth of NO CIGAR’s sound.
“‘Concubine’ is a unique song on the album; giving you that raw, classic rock energy, whilst also playing to the delicate harmonies and intricate nuances between parts,” explains Arthur. “The slide guitar has never really featured in NO CIGARmaterial before this album, and ‘Concubine’ certainly has its fair share. You’ll see more of this on other tracks too.”
‘Concubine’ is the third single to come from NO CIGAR’s anticipated forthcoming album THE GREAT ESCAPE, following the melancholic track ‘The Vibrance (Somebody To Blame)’. ‘Make It Better’, the first single, debuted at #11 on the NZ Hot 40 Singles Chart and received widespread local media support, including a feature on Rolling Stone Magazine.
NO CIGAR have quickly risen in the ranks of the New Zealand music industry as a band to watch. After recently releasing their debut album BIENVENIDO in September 2022, the band have gone on and played at some of New Zealand’s most exciting music festivals and sold out New Zealand and Australian tours over the last summer. In less than a month, the boys will be heading to the northern hemisphere for headline shows in the UK and Europe, with their London show selling out in less than a day.
