New Zealand indie-pop band
The Beths
Origin Auckland , New Zealand Genres Years active 2014–present Labels Members Elizabeth Stokes Jonathan Pearce Benjamin Sinclair Tristan Deck Past members Ivan Luketina-Johnston Website thebeths .com
The Beths are a New Zealand indie rock band, formed in Auckland in 2014.[ 1] [ 2] The group principally consists of lead vocalist Elizabeth Stokes, guitarist Jonathan Pearce, bassist Benjamin Sinclair, and drummer Tristan Deck.[ 3] Meeting at the University of Auckland , the band signed to Carpark Records in 2018, where they have released the albums Future Me Hates Me (2018), Jump Rope Gazers (2020), and Expert in a Dying Field (2022). They have toured internationally with Death Cab for Cutie [ 2] and The National ,[ 4] and received praise from Rolling Stone [ 5] and Pitchfork .[ 6]
History
Elizabeth Stokes and Jonathan Pearce originally met in high school, and they met both Benjamin Sinclair and Ivan Luketina-Johnston when all four attended classes at the University of Auckland , studying jazz . Prior to the Beths, Luketina-Johnston was performing swing under the moniker of Sal Valentine. Stokes, Pearce and Sinclair were all a part of his backing band, The Babyshakes, for various tenures.[ 7] [ 8]
The Beths were formed in late 2014 and released their first single "Idea/Intent" via SoundCloud in July 2015.[ 9] Stokes said that she named the band using her own name, after being inspired by Gilmore Girls character Lorelai Gilmore naming her daughter after herself.[ 1] In March 2016, the band independently released their debut EP, Warm Blood . The EP spawned a single, "Whatever," which was released with an accompanying music video in May 2016.[ 10]
The Beths have received financial support from the NZ on Air and NZ Music Commission .[ 11] In September 2015, the band received money to make the single and video for "Whatever" from NZ on Air.[ 12] In May 2016, NZ on Air funded a video for "Lying in the Sun".[ 13] Through their Outward Sound program, the NZ Music Commission funded three tours as part of their international music market development grants.[ 14] [ 15] [ 16]
A new single, "Great No One," was released in October 2017.[ 17] The song was the first to be lifted from the band's debut album, Future Me Hates Me . Prior to the album's release in 2018, the band announced their signing to Carpark Records in the US (who also reissued Warm Blood internationally)[ 18] and to Dew Process in Australia.[ 19] The album was released globally on 10 August 2018, followed by an international tour supporting the release.[ 6] The title track was nominated as one of five finalists for the 2018 Silver Scroll award in New Zealand.[ 20] [ 21]
In 2018, Luketina-Johnston permanently departed from the band to focus on Sal Valentine.[citation needed ]
In November 2018, the band announced the forthcoming release of a new seven-inch, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas . The vinyl features the band's cover of the traditional title track, as well as a demo version of their song "Happy Unhappy."[ 22] "Happy Unhappy" was named 2018 Rolling Stone magazine song of the summer .[ 5]
In early 2019, the band undertook a tour of the UK and Europe supporting Death Cab for Cutie .[ 2]
Label art for Jump Rope Gazers
Their second studio album Jump Rope Gazers was released in July 2020.[ 23] [ 24]
On 13 June 2022, the single "Silence Is Golden" was released with the announcement of their third album, Expert in a Dying Field , which was released on 16 September 2022. One year later, The Beths released a deluxe edition of their 2022 LP which included 2 previously released singles; "A Real Thing" originally released on 9 February 2022, and "Watching The Credits" released on 28 March 2023.[ 25]
Their 2023 single "Watching The Credits" reached greater audiences, one of whom was former U.S. president Barack Obama , who featured the song on his 2023 summer playlist .[ 26]
Musical style and influences
The Beths are noted for their use of vocal harmony , utilizing the voices of all four band members.[ 23] Members of the band have cited Alvvays , Rilo Kiley , and Bully as inspirations for their work.[ 27]
Band members
Current members
Ivan Luketina-Johnston – drums, backing vocals, percussion (2014–2018)
Katie Everingham – drums, backing vocals (2018)
Chris Pearce – bass, backing vocals (2018)
Adam Tobeck – drums, backing vocals, percussion (2018)
Discography
Albums
Studio albums
Live albums
Extended plays
Singles
As lead artist
Split singles
Other charted songs
Guest appearances
Music videos
References
^ a b Enis, Eli (7 August 2018). "The Beths on the Sly Humor and Irresistible Hooks of Their Debut Album" . Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2019 .
^ a b c Kallao, Stephen; Junod, Kimberly (6 May 2018). "With A Big Pop Sound And Sticky Turn Of Phrases, The Beths Are Taking Over" (Includes audio performance) . World Cafe . NPR . Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2019 .
^ "SAL VALENTINE & THE BABYSHAKES, DICTAPHONE BLUES, SUPERHERO SECOND LINE + THE BETHS LIVE AT THE KINGS ARMS" . Facebook . 27 April 2022. Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022 .
^ Jones, Abby (28 March 2023). "The Beths Share New Single "Watching the Credits," Expand 2023 Tour Dates" . Consequence . Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023 .
^ a b Dolan, Jon (23 June 2018). "The Beths' 'Happy Unhappy' Is the Song of the Summer" . Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2019 .
^ a b Fitzmaurice, Larry (18 August 2018). "The Beths: Future Hates Me" . Pitchfork . Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2019 .
^ Hollywood, Michael. "The Beths: Warm Blood EP" . NZ Musician . Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2018 .
^ "Sal Valentine and the Babyshakes" . Sal Valentine . 17 October 2013. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2018 – via Bandcamp .
^ "Idea/Intent by The Beths" . The Beths . July 2015. Archived from the original on 14 April 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2018 – via SoundCloud .
^ "The Beths – "Whatever" " . The Beths . May 2016. Archived from the original on 21 July 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2018 – via YouTube .
^ McMahan, Tim (11 July 2019). "Ten Questions with The Beths" . The Reader . Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2019 .
^ "September 2015 Making Tracks Funding decisions" . NZ on Air . September 2015. Archived from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2019 .
^ "May 2016 Making Tracks funding decisions" . NZ on Air . May 2016. Archived from the original on 23 January 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2019 .
^ "Outward Sound Recipients Round 2 2018" . NZ Music Commission . 21 June 2018. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2019 .
^ "Outward Sound Recipients Round 3 2018" . NZ Music Commission . 27 August 2018. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2019 .
^ "Outward Sound Recipients Round 4 2018" . NZ Music Commission . 7 December 2018. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2019 .
^ "Premiere: The Beths Share New Single 'Great No One' " . Under the Radar (NZ) . 16 October 2017. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2018 .
^ Bakerstein, D.L. (10 April 2018). "Kiwi pop-punkers (punk-poppers?) The Beths sign to Carpark Records, re-release debut EP on cassette, announce gnarly world tour dates" . Tiny Mix Tapes . Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2018 .
^ "Introducing The Beths, your new favourite Middle Earth-based band" . Pile Rats . November 2018. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2018 .
^ Belfield, James (30 August 2018). "Simply the Beths: Why this new Auckland band is a Silver Scroll contender" . New Zealand Listener . Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2018 .
^ "Winners Announced for the APRA Silver Scroll Awards" . APRA AMCOS . 4 October 2018. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2018 .
^ Gray, Julia (30 November 2018). "The Beths – "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" " . Stereogum . Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2018 .
^ a b Linnell, Amanda (23 December 2018). "Why The Beths Are The Next Big Thing In Music" . Viva Magazine . Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2019 .
^ "The Beths: Jump Rope Gazers" . Pitchfork . Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020 .
^ a b "The Beths Announce New Album 'Expert In a Dying Field', Share Video for New Single" . Our Culture . 13 June 2022. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022 .
^ "Archived copy" . Archived from the original on 7 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024 .{{cite web }}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link )
^ Cudby, Chris (21 August 2022). "Interview: The Beths Talk About Their Debut Album 'Future Me Hates Me' " . UnderTheRadarNZ . Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022 .
^ a b "Discography The Beths" . charts.nz . Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022 .
^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 26 September 2022". The ARIA Report . No. 1699. Australian Recording Industry Association . 26 September 2022. p. 6.
^ a b c d e f g h i Peaks in the UK and Scotland:
^ Peaks on the US Top Album Sales chart:
^ "Heatseekers Albums: Week of October 1, 2022" . Billboard . Retrieved 21 August 2024 .
^ DeVille, Chris (9 April 2018). "Stream: The Beths Warm Blood" . Stereogum . Archived from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020 .
^ a b Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart:
^ a b Peaks on the Hot NZ Singles Chart:
^ "Idea/Intent from Warm Blood by The Beths" . 2015. Archived from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020 – via Bandcamp .
^ a b "UTR Premiere: Watch The Beths' New Video For 'Whatever' (+ Interview)" . UTR . 25 May 2016. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020 .
^ a b "Video: The Beths – Lying In The Sun (UTR Premiere)" . UTR . 10 August 2016. Archived from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020 .
^ Aikins, Gabriel (17 July 2018). "The Beths share new single "Great No One" from upcoming LP" . Substream Magazine . Archived from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020 .
^ "Anatomy of a Scroll: The Beths, 'Future Me Hates Me' " . Radio New Zealand . 22 September 2018. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020 .
^ Aikins, Gabriel (5 June 2018). "The Beths release new single "Happy Unhappy", pineapple-centric music video" . Substream Magazine . Archived from the original on 10 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020 .
^ a b Spoerl, Steven (12 August 2018). "The Beths – You Wouldn't Like Me (Music Video)" . Heartbreaking Bravery . Archived from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020 .
^ a b Gotrich, Lars (6 September 2018). "In The Beths' euphoric 'Little Death,' love can make you fly" . NPR . Archived from the original on 11 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020 .
^ Roberts, Christopher (30 November 2018). "The Beths share cover of Judy Garland's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" " . Under the Radar . Archived from the original on 10 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020 .
^ Dolan, Jon (8 April 2020). "Song You Need to Know: The Beths, 'Dying to Believe' " . Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020 .
^ a b James Young, David (13 May 2020). "The Beths release new single 'I'm Not Getting Excited' " . NME . Archived from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020 .
^ Kenneally, Cerys (16 June 2020). "The Beths preview second album with third single "Out Of Sight" " . The Line of Best Fit . Archived from the original on 11 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020 .
^ Russell, Scott. "The Beths Are Back with "A Real Thing" " . PASTE Magazine . Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022 .
^ "Listen to The Beths' anthemic new single 'Watching The Credits' " . NME . 29 March 2023. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023 .
^ "Brand New Colony / We Looked Like Giants by The Beths, Pickle Darling & Car Seat Headrest on Sub Pop Records" . Archived from the original on 7 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024 – via Sub Pop Records.
^ "Stream The Reduction Agents tribute album 'Waiting For Your Love' " . Under the Radar NZ . 12 August 2016. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2020 .
^ "True Colours, New Colours: The Songs of Split Enz" . JBhiFi . Archived from the original on 20 November 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020 .
^ "The Beths – "Future Me Hates Me" (Official Music Video)" . 9 May 2018. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020 – via YouTube .
^ "The Beths share video 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' " . UTR . 14 December 2018. Archived from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020 .
^ "The Beths – "Uptown Girl" (Official Music Video)" . 27 February 2019. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022 – via YouTube .
^ Triscari, Caleb (9 April 2020). "The Beths announce new album, 'Jump Rope Gazers' " . NME . Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020 .
^ Millar, Mark (16 June 2020). "The Beths share video for new single 'Out of Sight' – Watch Now" . XS Noize . Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020 .
^ The Beths (17 September 2021). "The Beths - Auckland, New Zealand, 2020 (Official Film)" . Found.EE . Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021 .
^ "The Beths – "Silence Is Golden" (Official Music Video)" . 13 June 2022. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022 – via YouTube .
^ "The Beths – "Knees Deep" (Official Music Video)" . 16 August 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022 – via YouTube .
^ "The Beths – "Your Side" (Official)" . 8 January 2024. Archived from the original on 10 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024 – via YouTube .
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to
The Beths .
International National Artists