Collarbones Singer Marcus Whale Signs To New Label

Multi-faceted Sydney musician Marcus Whale — best known for his role as the colourful frontman of Collarbones, among other pursuits — has made his first steps into solo-performer territory with the release of debut single If (Demo), which has dropped concurrently with the news that Whale has signed to fledgling Aussie label Good Manners Records.

The piano- and strings-heavy club ballad is an accomplished first taste from Whale, keenly informed by more than half a decade as an active musician straddling several scenes, and provides a curiosity-raising look at his forthcoming debut solo release Inland Sea (co-produced by Nigel Yang of HTRK), due for release in the first half of 2016. If (Demo) claws its way through crescendo for the first two-and-a-half minutes or so, giving way to upbeat electronic drums and freeing final half punctuated with ethereal discord and floating back-up vocals.

For Whale, the song marks a confluence of disparate influences and ideas spanning scenes from pop to classical, soundscapes in which he has comprehensively cut his teeth but nonetheless has never felt able "to full feel allegiance" to any particular world.

"This song, If, was the first glimpse I had of music I might make that could marry all of these in one," he said in a statement. "It was clear after making it that I'd always watned to follow those impulses."

Have a listen to where exactly those impulses have led below. 

If (Demo) is out now on Good Manners Records. With the past 12 months behind him and full of accomplishments including headline performances with Collarbones and Black Vanilla as well as support slots alongside Mika Vainio, HTRK, Julia Holter and JMSN, it's safe to say that 2016 is already looking to be an even bigger step for Marcus Whale.

To keep on top of the man's movements in the coming months, head to his Facebook page and drop him a Like, and then hope that Facebook will bother showing you any of his posts.