Following Ocean Alley’s expanded 2022 national tour announcement, the band has released a video with Fender showcasing the new Player Plus Nashville Telecaster®, Stratocaster® & Active Precision Bass®. Set against the stunning Byron Bay Hinterlands backdrop, and infused with their classic sun-drenched sound and infectious groove, the beloved Australian Rock outfit performs a live version of the recently released single “Touch Back Down”.
Infused with their classic sun-drenched sound and infectious groove, ‘Touch Back Down’ is a story about turning a negative into a positive, and always finding the light side of a problem. It was written during a last-minute writing session in Byron Bay, which only came to be after Bluesfest was cancelled at the eleventh hour in April this year.
Boppy from its opening bars, the track features an intoxicating sing-along melody that paired with swirling guitars and shimmering keys, create a warmth and brightness that feels like summer. It builds to an emphatic chorus where frontman Baden Donegal’s soaring vocals shine, and are punctuated by stunning harmonized backing vocals.
On the new single, Baden shared “It’s exciting to have new music out. The more records we write, the more we can explore our sound and style, which is why they are ever-changing. ‘Touch Back Down’ gives a much happier vibe than any single from Lonely Diamond and we’re definitely carrying that upbeat energy across our writing at the moment. It provides a pretty good insight into the feel we’re going for in terms of our next record.”
Guitarist Mitch Galbraith added, “It feels more playful than Lonely Diamond and we wanted it to be that way. After the craziness of the past two years, we wanted to be less serious and write songs that will get people moving rather than thinking. We felt that we could write music this time around that is less introspective and with a little more storytelling, so this is the first taste of that new direction.”
Fender Artist Check-Ins gives the viewer unique access to one off recordings featuring artists in their home studios, exotic locations or venues.
As a new generation of guitar players continues to emerge, Player Plus puts the power of guitar squarely in their hands with new versions of Fender’s most iconic models. Combining precise playability with unbridled style, these seven guitars and basses are engineered to remove any obstacle to effortless playing and are finished in vibrant, head-turning colors. Player Plus is an extension of the Player Series, which was the most widely-adopted Fender guitar series in 2020 and has sold over 400k units since its 2018 debut. Millions of new players began their learning journey during the pandemic, and for many, the Player Series provided a seamless entry into the Fender brand. As digital platforms like TikTok have opened up new pathways for artists to find worldwide audiences, Fender has designed Player Plus for the generation leading the charge: both online and as live music begins to roar back after its hiatus.