Oct 23, 2015 – (Burbank, CA.) – Australian rock quintet, THE RUBENS return with the release of their highly anticipated sophmore album, HOOPS, set for release in the U.S. this February 19, 2016. “Hallelujah,” the first Australian single album is already a hit at home sweeping serious radio airplay at Triple J , Hits, Triple M, KIIS and Nova networks across the Antipodean continent. The video commanded the same level of mega-views on MTV Australia, Rage and Channel V networks.
The album, which has already been released in Australia, is currently the #1 iTunes Alternative Song in Australia, and entered the national ARIA Album charts at the #2 position upon release just behind Dre’s surprise release. “Hoops”, the second single from the album, is now certified GOLD in Australia and has also enjoyed massive pop radio and video air time on Triple J, Triple M, Nova and The Hit networks. Currently “Hoops” is the #1 most played track at MMM Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. MTV Australia / New Zealand and Max networks immediately added the “Hoops” video into non-stop rotation which equates to massive visibility in their native homeland. Rolling Stone Australia praised HOOPS as: “Australia’s go-to for outstanding indie-soul” (3 1/2 Stars out of 4).
At present
The Rubens are in the middle of a sold out Australian tour which is attracting impressive headlines. Click
here to see what
The Guardian had to say about their recent appearance at
Splendour in
The Grass Festival. “Sam Margin may well be the next great Aussie frontman. The charismatic lead of the Rubens, back live in their first major shows since 2013, has the Splendour crowd dancing from the moment the band walks on stage. Throughout their tight, fast-paced one hour set, The Rubens offer a taste of their eagerly awaited second album…The promise of many more great things to come.”
Once again,
The Rubens turn their sights to the USA, where the title track, “
Hoops” will be the first U.S. single. Click
here to view the official video.
Pre-orders for
HOOPS begin today and will include a series of instant download tracks to be released at regular intervals leading up to street date. “Hoops”, is the first instant download available right now. Pre-order
HOOPS here, stream
HOOPS on Spotify
here.
Just as their self-titled debut album, The Rubens once again chose to record with Grammy Award winning producer David Kahne (Paul McCartney, Lana Del Rey, The Strokes), along with production heavy weight, Grammy Award winner Michael Brauer (Coldplay). Lead vocalist / guitarist Sam Margin explains:
“We weren’t so green this time around, we had a lot more confidence in ourselves and knew what it was we were trying to achieve in the studio… We managed to create something we’re all hugely proud of.”
The meteoric rise of
The Rubens (three brothers and a childhood friend) reads like most young musician’s dream, and is a rollercoaster ride the
Menangle, New South Wales five-piece has been riding since their debut single
“Lay It Down” hit the airwaves a few short years ago and won the hearts of fans around Australia.
After only a handful of shows, The Rubens were invited to record their self-titled debut album with David Kahne in his NYC studio. It wasn’t long after that the band found themselves labeled “Australia’s Next Big Thing” and booked for almost every major festival that year. The band’s debut album came in September 2012 and landed at an impressive #3 on the ARIA Album Charts.
The album’s lead single “My Gun” won the prestigious APRA Award for Best Rock Work and came in at #10 in Triple J’s Hottest 100 of that year. The band won “Best Unearthed Artist” Award and was also nominated for ‘Best Album‘ at Triple J’s J Awards and received five ARIA Award nominations. To top off this run, the band’s album reached certified platinum status by the end of 2013.
Not being ones to rest for too long, the band toured the USA in the summer of 2013, returned home and immediately began working on new material. In September 2013, they packed their bags and headed for Sydney’s south coast where they locked themselves away to focus on songwriting. The Rubens spent the next five months between touring and their new songwriting sanctuary in Coledale on Sydney’s south coast.
After hearing the first track, US fans are right to be excited for the release of Hoops in February 2016. The 11 tracks that make up Hoops showcase a band with a clear understanding of how to play to their strengths. Hoops is brimming with giant rock hooks, growling guitars, driving rhythms and that unmistakable, soul-drenched Sam Margin voice.
HOOPS Track listing:
- Hallelujah
- The Night Is On My Side
- Hoops
- Switchblade
- Bitter End
- Cut Me Loose
- Things About To Change
- Battles
- Hold Me Back
- The Original
- The Fool
# # #
THE RUBENS
Sam Margin: Guitar/Lead Vocals
Elliott Margin: Keys/Vocals
Zaac Margin: Lead Guitar
Scott Baldwin: Drums