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21.04.2023, Words by Billy Ward

phonewifey's angsty post-punk anthem 'Overflow' explores social decline

"A combination of austerity and an aggressive profit motive has robbed London of its most vibrant underground spaces"

phonewifey's second single from their upcoming project 'NEW LANDFILL' channels the high-intensity post-punk and gothic-alternative-rock of bands like The Cure and White Rose Movement.

'Overflow' is a scrappy and angsty anthem reflecting on the erosion of social and public infrastructure in London over the past two decades.

"As I’ve gotten older I’ve seen more and more of the important institutions, venues and hang-outs that made music a possible avenue for me growing up close down, or become unrecognisable and unaffordable for the next generation of up-and-coming artists", explains phonewifey. 

"I saw legendary venues, like the Astoria, where I saw a lot of my favourite bands as a teen, shut down while I was on the cusp of adulthood. Local music venues and pubs that I cut my teeth playing live at turned into Tesco Metros. Youth centers, like the one I used to practice in, gutted of funding. It feels like a combination of austerity and an aggressive profit motive has robbed London of its most vibrant underground spaces.

"Overflow is an angst-riddled post-punk lament to the corporate and conservative sanitisation of underground culture. It’s also a warning for anyone in an emerging scene to never take your eye off the ball: Support the spaces that gave you your opportunities, because someone else will need them in the future and, if the last twenty years has taught me anything, they’re ALWAYS under threat."

Stream 'Overflow' below or listen with your preferred player here

'Overflow' by phonewifey is out now on NEW DANCE CRAZE via DMY.

Submit music for release via DMY Artists.

Read next: Joell explores self-growth on 'Run'

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