The Buoys: Crafting fiery indie-punk anthems that tug at the heart

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Breakthrough 2022

If you can’t tell by now, we’re kind of obsessed with The Buoys. And if you like fiery indie-punk anthems and heart-jerking hook-filled tunes, you will be too.

If you are unfamiliar with the Sydney four-piece, now is the time to change that. The Buoys have been relentlessly carving their path across stages around the country from day one, releasing three EPs – including two since July 2020 – and accumulating a dedicated, loyal following thanks to their punchy, unforgettable live shows.

It was their third EP, 2021’s Unsolicited Advice For Your DIY Disaster that really caught our attention. At the time we described it as “just under 20 minutes of pure beauty that will punch you in the gut, wrap its way around your heart, and wiggle its way into your ears,” and that is a description we still stand by.

The Buoys – Lie To Me Again (Official Video)

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Started by vocalist Zoe Catterall when she was still living in Cronulla, it wasn’t until she moved to Sydney – and was looking for some new friends – that The Buoys really took off. In a wonderful turn of events (that’s sure to make for a great story), things were set in motion when a failed Tinder date led to Tess Wilkin (drums) joining the band – and the rest is history.

After locking down their current lineup on their 2020 EP All This Talking Gets Us Nowhere – completed by Hilary Geddes on lead guitar and Courtney Cunningham on bass – The Buoys have continued to step things up, and on Unsolicited Advice For Your DIY Disaster the band pushed themselves to new heights, releasing some of their biggest, punchiest tracks to date.

The six-track EP is a collection of songs that show exactly why The Buoys have become favourites amongst Aussie music fans in recent years. Full of powerful and cathartic reflections on their personal experiences – covering everything from bad habits to big heartbreak and finding happiness right where you are – this is The Buoys at the height of their musical powers. And the best part is, it feels like they are only just getting started.

The Buoys – Drive Me Home (Official Video)

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“As the name implies, this EP details all of the experiences and mishaps that brought us to this very moment,” the group wrote on social media at the record’s release. “Celebrate those times you did your best with what you were dealt, it’s all about trial and error and sometimes you gotta do it yourself.”

Solidifying their spot as a band to watch in the Australian music scene, after being nominated for ‘Best Live Act’ at the 2020 FBi SMAC Awards, 2021 saw The Buoys sell out headline shows across Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, and score nods from tastemakers and critics across the board – including triple j, Richard Kingsmill, Spotify, Apple Music, Shazam, and more. They even became the most playlisted Australian act across streaming platforms in the release week of single ‘Lie To Me Again’, and wrapped up the year as the second most played artist on triple j Unearthed in 2021.

Already in 2022, the accolades have continued, with their single ‘Lie To Me Again’ landing at number 85 in this year’s triple j Hottest 100. Now, with the chance to finally take their EP to audiences around the country, and some pretty impressive support and festival slots lined up – including Hoodoo Gurus and Splendour In The Grass – if you aren’t already on Team The Buoys, now is exactly the time to sign up.

The Buoys – Bad Habit (Official Video)