Ra Ra Viper Debut Album 'Big Speak'

The wait is finally over for fans of Fremantle alt-rock sensation Ra Ra Viper with the release of their debut album Big Speak out now.

 triple J Drive offered up a First Play of the title track, the first song written and recorded for the album.
 
Reflecting on the process, "It began with guitar and drums, but for perhaps the first time ever Jules came to a demo session with a bass line Krukky actually liked... Which ended up becoming the focus of the verses, before the more important instruments kick in hard during the choruses. The lyrics were a bit more difficult for this one, but Bolty led the way by falling back on a classic Ra Ra theme - reflections on how privilege can come back to bite us if we're not careful to keep it in check..." 
 
Ra Ra Viper's debut album encapsulates their evolution from casual jam sessions to a fully realised, mature sound. What started as a fun side project grew into a passion that led to the creation of Big Speak. This album is especially meaningful for the band, as they see it as something they'll look back on proudly in years to come.
 
Reflecting on the significance of the project, the band commented: "Knowing that this opportunity might not come again, we've poured immense blood, sweat, and emotion into this album over the last seven months. We are incredibly proud and happy to have created something that not only captures this unique period in all of our lives but does so in a way that will have a lasting, positive impact."
 
The creation of Big Speak was a deeply organic process, developed in collaboration with producer Andy Lawson (Noah Dillon, Fool Nelson, Verge Collection). Lawson pushed the band to experiment, encouraging them to explore more technical arrangements, including writing with three guitar parts"an entirely new approach for the group.
 
As they worked through demos and guitar tabs, the band shaped an album that challenged their limits while maintaining the raw, electrifying energy of their live performances, translating the spontaneity and vibrant interplay between instruments into the recorded tracks.
 
Taking their time to delve into darker, more nuanced sounds, Ra Ra Viper drew inspiration from artists such as Fontaines D.C., IDLES, King Krule, and The Oh Sees. The result is an album filled with variety, depth, and complexity.
 

Early releases like 'Shark' and '4AM Child' set the tone for the album, earning immediate support from triple j and triple j Unearthed. 'Shark' was even picked for a sync deal in the film 'With or Without You', premiering at the Adelaide Film Festival.
 
Subsequent singles 'Pinkies' and 'Howler' premiered on triple j's Home & Hosed program, were featured as triple j Unearthed Track of the Day, and garnered airplay on RTR, 4ZZZ, SYN FM, and 2SER.
 
Ra Ra Viper has also made waves on major playlists, including Spotify's Local Noise, New Music Friday AU/NZ, Fresh Finds AU/NZ, and Indie Arrivals, as well as Apple's Good Times, New Music Daily, and Breaking Rock.
 
Renowned for their high-energy, sweat-drenched performances, the band has built a strong fanbase through shows at major festivals like Splendour in the Grass and Out of the Woods, and support slots for acts such as Old Mervs, The Vanns, Sly Withers, and Slowly Slowly. To close out 2024, Ra Ra Viper will embark on a national album tour, hitting Fremantle, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, and Brisbane, before ringing in the new year at Perth's You and Me Festival. They're also set to perform at Party In the Paddock and Yours & Owls Festival in 2025.
 
Big Speak is not only a testament to the band's growth and teamwork but also a bold leap forward. As the band puts it, "The album means a lot to us as it is an example of us writing the music we want to write and working together as a team in coming up with a body of work."  
The result is an album that pushes the boundaries of their sound while staying true to the essence of their musical journey.

BIG SPEAK TRACKLISTING:
AFTER THE SHOW
4AM CHILD
BIG SPEAK
MOTHBALLS
LOSERS
HOWLER
PINKIES (FKA SLIP AWAY)
ODE TO DAVID

SHARK
RED HEELS & RAZORBLADES
STORM