Upcoming sibling rock quartet Dubinski have announced details of their new studio album “What is Your Definition of Happiness?”, set for release on LP, CD & digital formats on March 7th, 2025 on Gnu Roam via Kartel Music Group.
The exhilarating lead single “Downtown Operation” can be heard below.
Featuring an infectious looping synth and a sample of iconic trade unionist Arthur Scargill. “Downtown Operation” is a socially conscious indie banger which shines a light on the willful blindness of political leaders who perpetuate a system that fuels acts of desperation by those disenfranchised by society.
“Our Dad suggested Arthur Scargill for the sample”, explains vocalist Eugene Gaine, the youngest of the four Gaine brothers who make up Dubinski. “He emigrated to London from Limerick, while our mum was born in Bradford to Polish and Ukrainian immigrants. The mistreatment our parents endured in their youth gave them socialist values, and that rubbed off on us”.
The follow-up to their eponymous 2022 debut album, “What is Your Definition of Happiness?” finds Dubinski broadening their sonic palette with the help of Grammy award winning producers Mike Horner (Franz Ferdinand, Placebo, Hot Chip) and Robbie Nelson (Beck, Royal Blood, The Kooks). Across an album themed around the concept of happiness and the challenges of obtaining and sustaining it, you’ll find tales of crushed dreams (“Action Comes To Town”), doomed romance (“What’s Even Normal”) and the perils of trying to survive as a DIY live band (“New York Arizona and This”), though Dubinski love the buzz and adventure of touring life. The entire album is set to a compelling suite of bulletproof melodies which fuse elements of Franz Ferdinand, Parquet Courts, The Clash, Maximo Park, and even Paul Simon.
“A lot of these songs have something bittersweet to them”, says Eugene. “It’s a record of love, happiness, pain, sorrow, grief, healing, growth and acceptance. We wanted to tell a story with this album, and it flows similar to the way the seasons change”.
Raised in North Yorkshire but now all based in Edinburgh apart from bassist Donal, who lives 25 miles away in the Borders, Dubinski are named after their mother’s maiden name. She died as the band were about to sign their record deal. “It’s special to see mum’s name on our posters”, says Eugene. “She was always proud of us and we want to make her prouder.”
Once eldest brother Eoin got his first drum kit in his early teens, the other brothers soon began learning how to play music. Donal smiles: “Our parents taught us to be socially aware, and they were also so encouraging in letting us be creative. They let us play music at whatever time we wanted. We’d jam at 2am if we felt like it”.
With the Gaine brothers starting to be able to repay some of their father’s encouragement by having him join them on tour. “He’ll say: ‘Oh, I’ve never been there!’ when he sees our tour schedule”, says Donal. Dubinski’s new album deserves to see them reach everywhere. The band want people to explore what happiness means to them after hearing their music. With music this emotional, catchy, by turns searing and calming, it’s a journey worth taking.
Pre-order & pre-save “What is Your Definition of Happiness?” here.
Tracklist:
1. Downtown Operation
2. Physical Scars
3. What’s Even Normal
4. Action Comes to Town
5. Feel It
6. New York Arizona and This
7. Something About You
8. Homesick
9.Making Luck
10. Mistaken for Trouble
11. Big As You
12. Safety in the Comfort Zone
Dubinski will be joining forces with Lebanese rock sensation The Wanton Bishops as the supporting act on their upcoming European tour spanning January and February 2025. More info here.
Weblinks:
www.dubinskimusic.com
www.facebook.com/Dubinskimusic
