The Double Happiness – Roadhouse

The Double Happiness always intended to release a thematic surf-guitar triptych: city, surf and western.

Roadhouse is the band’s third instalment, inspired by the quartet’s love of spaghetti-westerns, Tarantino soundtracks, dogs and David Lynch’s ‘Twin Peaks’.

The album beckons the listener to take a nostalgic journey, a family road trip, the kind where you’re tuned into AM radio and sliding around on hot vinyl back seats. Along the way, you might find yourself on a lost highway like the ‘Warrego’ or turning into a ‘Drive In’, just out of town. Local references are never far from the quartet’s consciousness with the iconic Yatala UFO Space Service Station of yesteryear featured in the album artwork.

“Citing locations of significance is so important to us,” muses guitarist and vocalist Kristin Fergusson. “They seem to really resonate with our audience too. So many songs have been written about far away places, far away in time, so why wouldn’t we create a space where folks can reminisce through the vehicle of song? Memories shared through our music have led to the most heartwarming conversations!”

The cover art features the now long-gone Space Station at Yatala, evoking memories of road trips from a last era childhood as well as possessing an eerie aesthetic that could place it (un)comfortably in a David Lynch series.

There’s a natural progression from the wild surf guitars of their previous album Surfgazing to tremolo heavy reverberations of spaghetti western sounds that makes for an effortless transition from surfboards to steads. But don’t’ be fooled, the massive guitar hooks, pummeling drum work and fervent vocal exclamations are still most prevalent on the new record too.

Also sneaking into the sonic tapestry of the release is the band’s adoration of the dark brooding sounds of Twin Peaks. Having inspired the songs ‘Red Room’, ‘Audrey’ and the title track. There is something disturbing yet seductive in each, where, like Audrey, one might question where reality ends and insanity begins.

Pete’s love of dogs also comes into the fold in both ‘Raggedy Dog’ and ‘Dingo’. The TDH dogs, Winston and Henri love to hang with the band at rehearsals. Listen out for Henri’s vocal contribution on ‘Dingo’!

Roadhouse explores a new soundscape and showcases a band that is not only willing to tackle new sounds but who are also not afraid to step inside the roadhouse and stay for the night.