South African indie-rock favorites Shortstraw are officially back with their brand-new EP, Everything In Between. This release marks the first installment of an ambitious three-part project that will eventually culminate in the full-length collection, Life, Death and Everything In Between.
Following their return with the heavy alternative-rock track “Rubber Arm” and the catchy indie-pop radio single “Schrödinger”, the four-track EP proves the band refuses to be boxed into a single genre. Frontman Alastair Thomas notes that the lack of a central theme is exactly what ties the record together.
While “What The Hell” leans into the jangly, acoustic-driven sound of their earlier days, “Speedboat Accident” serves up a pure stoner jam that is destined to be a crowd favorite. The result is a project that captures the essence of Shortstraw across their 19-year career: alternative, sentimental, folky, and free.
Navigating Life, Death, and the Daily Grind
The overarching concept for the trilogy stems from deeply personal milestones for Thomas. Following the loss of his father in 2021, he began writing songs about death. Soon after, his wife’s pregnancy inspired tracks about new life. The remaining tracks, which did not quite fit either extreme, formed Everything In Between.
The band brought their skeletal ideas to the practice room, building them up before heading to High Sea Studios. There, producer and engineer Jacques du Plessis worked his magic, shaping the final recordings into the unmistakable Shortstraw sound. Thomas credits du Plessis entirely for bringing their ideas to life and making the band sound like they know exactly what they are doing.
Shortstraw is making a Measured Return to the SA Music Scene
The road back has not been easy. Following the grueling, burnout-inducing TMK project and the disruptions of the pandemic, their 2022 release, Fine Thanks, and You?, never quite felt right to the band. Now, they are approaching their music with fresh perspective and a healthier pace.
Adapting to the modern, content-heavy digital landscape has been a jarring adjustment, prompting their decision to release the project in three digestible EPs rather than a single massive album. For now, Everything In Between stands on its own, beautifully capturing the chaos, the relationships, and the everyday ridiculousness that fills the gaps.
You can stream/download their brand new EP HERE.
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