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“The emo revival is worldwide—this New Zealand group has all the sincere melodies and big, cathartic moments any fan would look for.” – Bandcamp

Aotearoa New Zealand’s Carb on Carb are stoked to be announcing their third album Take Time (out May) and releasing the album opener ‘2009‘ as a single today.

Carb on Carb, made up of Nicole Gaffney (vocals, guitar) and James Stuteley (drums), are an emo/indie punk band from the midwest of New Zealand’s North Island. Known for touring restlessly pre-covid, the band took time over the enforced break to pursue other projects (Nicole – To The Front fka Girls Rock! programmes, James – writing and recording music in Te Reo Māori under How Get), and to write their third album Take Time.

“When Nicole Gaffney steps up on stage she exudes a light that instantly draws people closer” – Ambient Light

‘2009‘ bursts out of the gate, with Nicole’s kiwi accent narrating over palm-muted guitar. After a brief respite, the song explodes into a chorus about unrestrained nights with friends; “Walking home in groups at night / Arms raised to the street lights”.

Take Time is the band’s third full length and as the title suggests, ruminates on time; it looks backwards before looking forward, to triangulate the right place to be in the present. Recorded at what the band believe is one of the country’s most underrated all ages music institutions, The Stomach, it was mixed by Chris Teti of The World is a Beautiful Place and I Am No Longer Afraid to Die. Grounded was the first single from the album and was released last year. Stereogum called it “as sweetly melodious and melancholic as you could want from Carb On Carb, a plaintive pop song with a skip in its step and guitar action to spare.” While the year 2009 was long before Carb on Carb existed, it could be considered the year which sparked the eventual band.

2009 and pre-orders for the album are available now.

‘2009’ Release Shows
9 March – Whanganui – Zinefest
23 March – Wellington – Cubadupa

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