The Grates Sign With Vagrant Records

Brisbane indie-rock ensemble The Grates have been announced today as the newest members of the Vagrant Records roster in the US, with their third album Secret Rituals picking up an American release through said label on Tuesday 10 July.

The band released their previous records through different labels, with Interscope subsidiary Cherrytree picking up the band's debut Gravity Won't Get You High in 2006 before indie label Thirty Tigers released 2008's Teeth Lost, Hearts Won.

Secret Rituals, released in Australia through Dew Process/Universal in June last year, was recorded while the band were living in Brooklyn and is the first album to feature just the creative core of vocalist Patience Hodgson and guitarist John Patterson following drummer Alana Skyring's departure earlier that year. The critically praised record hit the number 11 slot on the ARIA Album Charts upon its release.

In a statement today, the band acknowledged the American influence on their third album.

"Secret Rituals came from two amazing years of living in America, now we're thrilled that's it's getting a release through Vagrant in it's spiritual home. And conceptual home. OK, it's home (just don't tell anyone in Australia I said that OK?)."

The Grates join the likes of PJ Harvey, The Hold Steady, City and Colour, Placebo and fellow Aussie Missy Higgins, among many more, on the label.