Music Industry News

They’ve been in the South Africa Top 40 Chart, the Aotearoa RadioScope Alt Chart and today, NZ-South African band The Transits have released their self-titled debut album!

Not only is this newly released debut album a 10-track indie-punk, synth-pop banger – it’s the result of many hours writing and recording online and across three home studios, two countries and two different time zones – with members Dom Antelme (vocals, bass) and Tyrone Smith (drums) based in Auckland, New Zealand and Ryan Lunn (vocals, guitars, synths) in Durban, South Africa.

Luckily, the trio know each other well, having made music together on and off since forming their first band as teenagers 30 years ago. “We’ve been close friends for even longer than that, and the album definitely reflects the joy and passion of us being a band again,” says Dom. “It’s been a busy year of figuring things out and refining The Transits sound – a mix of rock, punk, indie and synth-pop – with the overall vibe being energetic.”

The excitement for today’s release has been built up from the release of synth-laden single ‘Lost Ones’ (Rolling Stone AU/NZ, SRN, 60k+ streams across platforms, Auckland Independent Film Showcase); rock-infused punk track ‘Renegade Hearts’ (Apple Music New In Punk, New Music Daily, Radio Hauraki, South African Top 40 chart); the haunting synth-driven ‘Fall Into Dark’; and their smash debut single ‘When You Went Away’ (Apple Music New in Punk, South African Top 40 chart, Aotearoa RadioScope Alternative chart, Winner 2023 Show Me Shorts NZOA Best Music Video, Official Selection 2024 Poppy Jasper International Film Festival).

Joining these singles on the album are 7 new tracks, which include the nostalgia-inspired ‘Into Unknown’; high energy ‘In Stereo’; powerful rock track ‘Light My Way Back Home’, which speaks to the 2022 rioting in South Africa; and the band’s catchy new single ‘Heartbreak Queen’.

“‘Heartbreak Queen’ is about reflecting on the rollercoaster of relationships we have to navigate in our youth,” explains Dom, “and how often we put people on pedestals, only to realize they are not the person we thought, rather an invention of what we wanted them to be.” The song’s catchy keyboard riff propels the verses, which are complemented by high-energy drums and guitars that drive the chorus, along with a floaty and dreamy bridge. All coming together to create an infectious musical experience.

Becoming known for their stand-out music videos, the band have created a new one for ‘Heartbreak Queen’. This time playing crash test dummies. “The test dummies represent how we can get battered, bruised and broken along the way in life, but ultimately make it through.”

After such an impressive first year as a band, resulting in today’s epic self-titled debut album release, The Transits and their growing fanbase are showing no signs of slowing down. Press play now!

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Image credit: Fraser Clements
Artwork credit: Dom Antelme