EXCLUSIVE: Bogan-Funk Sensations Playlunch Announce Signing With ABC Music

They've been dubbed a "viral bogan-funk sensation", and their live shows are something to behold, but now Naarm/Melbourne-based outfit Playlunch have detailed their “surreal” signing to ABC Music.

Announced today, the news of the seven-piece group’s signing is one that is equally surprising and fitting for the outfgit, whose sound has been described as a “cocktail of late ‘90s and early 2000s Aussie nostalgia”.

"To go from writing songs about watching the ABC as a kid, to signing on to be an ABC artist is pretty f*cking surreal,” the group explained in a statement.

“This deal isn’t just a great opportunity for us to grow our reach and expand our audience, but it’s also a massive vote of confidence in what we’ve been doing with the band so far.”

Helmed by bandleader Liam Bell, much of the expansive group'’s music has been inspired by the unique Australian culture that is filtered through watchings of the ABC over the years.

Tracks like Soupe Opera (named for the French children’s programme that aired on the ABC) and Hornbag (a tribute to the great Kath & Kim) have become certifiable favourites for the band’s fans.

“Playlunch is a DIY project through and through,” they added. “Everything from producing our records to designing our merch is something we handle on our own with our very small, carefully curated team, and initially we had a lot of reservations about the idea of signing our creative autonomy away to some profit-hungry record label with no understanding or connection to our fan-base.

“But after sitting down with the ABC Music team and showing them some of the more f*cked up tracks we’ve been working on for this next album, we were so pleased when they were just like, ‘These are great, we love this. What can we do to help?’”

The signing was spearheaded by ABC Music’s Senior Label Manager Graham Ashton – his first since joining as the team’s leading A&R back in August.

“I caught Playlunch live for the first time at BIGSOUND this year and it was the purest connection between artist and audience I have ever seen at an industry showcase,” Ashton explained.

“They are incredible musicians, writing intelligent songs encouraging us to leave our troubles at the door. I’m stoked to be part of their team moving forward.”

The Music also caught Playlunch at BIGSOUND, labelling them one of the best Victorian acts at the event in September.

ABC Music Head Natalie Waller also echoed the sentiment, explainig that the label are “absolutely thrilled” to welcome the group to the roster.

“They bring pure joy and fun to the roster, and audiences around the world! I encourage everyone to experience Playlunch,” Waller said.

Playlunch first made their debut into the world with No Hat No Play in 2022, and released their first album, Who’s Ready For A Good Time?, in 2023. Releasing latest single Station Rat in August, ABC Music have teased the group’s second album is on the way, with the first taste set to arrive “before the end of the summer”.