London-based (by way of Australia) band Tempesst release their new single and video “Mushroom Cloud,” the second track to be lifted from upcoming debut album Must Be A Dream, out September 30 via Pony Recordings . The single explores regret in the heat of the moment, and why those we love can cause us the deepest pain. Serving as a nod to Jeff Lynne and ELO with a chorus of vocal harmonies, hushed keys, lilting guitars, and a swelling backdrop of additional instrumentation, the song tells of a story of the pain of love, tracking the consequences and emotional violence it has wrought. 

“‘Mushroom Cloud’ was the first song that we completed on the album and it set the tone for a balance of familiarity, the element of surprise, and the weighty dark topics that I wanted to explore,” recalls Toma. ” Mushroom Cloud isn’t my story, though. I found it easier to write this song as a confession from the perspective of the antagonist. It’s equal measures apology, justification, and threat, the kind of confusing grey area that only exists within intimate relationships. It’s love that becomes all-consuming and suffocating. It’s that destructive primal default buried deep within each of us. The Saboteur present in every moment of regret…that will do or say anything in an attempt at self-preservation.” 

Consisting of Sunshine Coast, Australia born twin brothers Toma (vocals, guitars) and Andy Banjanin (drums); Tempesst is rounded out by fellow Australian’s Kane Reynolds (keys) and Blake Misipeka (bass), and Swiss/American guitarist Eric Weber. Now all residing in London where they have created a community around their Pony Studios, Tempesst have become well known for their sweeping, psych-touched indie rock.
With nods to Spiritualized, the Flaming Lips and the Beach Boys, Must Be A Dream comprises ten tracks of psychedelic pop grandiosity, combining the classic teachings of Laurel Canyon-esque folk harmonisation with bombastic sensibilities found in the works of artists such as Love, ELO, and Pink Floyd. The album was produced by long standing collaborator Elliot Heinrich, and mixed by Claudius Mittendorfer (Parquet Courts, Temples, Yak, Sorry).  It explores themes of longing, love and loss, substance abuse, the death of loved ones and remembering the beauty beneath it all. And though the album is the culmination of four years of work and decades of preparation, it’s only the first step in the evolution that is Tempesst. “This record is the first time that I feel like I’ve had the uninterrupted ability to create and have full control at our own pace,” recalls Toma. “With this LP, we’ve created something we’re really proud of that truly cements our identity as a group. The joy of taking these songs live is something that we’re really excited about.”