The world of Australian music has gotten slightly bigger today, with the launch of a new supergroup featuring some of Victoria’s best and brightest.

Dubbed Bleak Squad, the new quartet is one filled to the brim with talent. Featuring Mick Turner (Dirty Three, Mess Esque), Mick Harvey (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey, The Birthday Party), Adalita (Magic Dirt) and Marty Brown (Art Of Fighting), the nascent outfit have come together to deliver an eclectic piece of work by way of their forthcoming debut album.

Dubbed Strange Love, the record will arrive on August 22, with debut single Lost My Head also arriving to give a taste of their combined sound. Dripping in atmosphere and darkness, it's a brooding example of what this celebrated group of musicians can do when they put their heads together.

As the members explain, it’s also in line with the very name of the project. “I think the name Bleak Squad speaks to both this loose collection of misfits, and the noirish mood of our music,” explains Adalita.

“I was sitting around Fitzroy pool one summer bemoaning I wasn’t playing drums enough,” Brown says of the group’s origin. “So I thought I might start a new project and just called everyone then and there. I can’t remember why I thought it would work. Maybe I recognised we all had a similar way of making music – uncomplicated and instantaneous.”

“I just really love the album we’ve made,” adds Adalita. “This is the first time I’ve been in a band outside of Magic Dirt and my solo thing. So playing with different musicians I’ve always looked up to and being so inspired by being in an actual new band, is really exciting.

“They’re just fucking amazing. I really am pinching myself. It’s unreal. I really can’t wait to play live.”

Bleak Squad will indeed be making their live debut in early August, with two warm-up shows planned for the Queenscliff and Meeniyan Town Halls. Later in October, the quartet will play headline dates at the Sydney and Melbourne Recital Halls.

Tickets to those warm-up shows are on sale now while the headline dates for Melbourne and Sydney will be on sale on June 16th and July 24th, respectively. Pre-orders for their new album are also available now.

Bleak Squad – 2025 Tour Dates

Friday, August 1st – Queenscliff Town Hall, Queenscliff, VIC
Saturday, August 2nd – Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan, VIC
Saturday, October 11th – City Recital Hall, Sydney, NSW
Thursday, October 16th – Recital Hall, Melbourne, VIC