A band born from opposite sides of the globe, London and New Zealand duo Yeti and the Bollocks—known simply as YATB—have carved out a distinctive space within the fringes of modern indie and neo-psychedelic rock. Now working together in London, the band of Chris and Dan are forging a dynamic sound that demands to be heard. Their new single, ‘Woken’, taken from their debut album ‘We Just Survived’, offers a hypnotic, strip-backed alternative to conventional song arrangements.
The two musicians behind the project bring a wealth of practical grit to their collaboration. Reflecting on their musical history, the band shared, “We’ve done our time in bands: sticky floors, cheap lager, and blown speakers. Now, with jobs, kids, and miles between us, we’re still itching to make a noise worth shouting about. YATB is our space to write, record, and experiment – fuzz-soaked blues and widescreen psych stitched with soul and electronica. Groove, grit, melody, and space to breathe. We’re not chasing fame or algorithms – just listeners who really listen.”
That philosophy underpins every bar of ‘Woken’. The track weaves rolling guitars and a steady, blossoming percussion line around a lingering undercurrent of isolation. It is an impressive sonic feat, quietly building intensity beneath a fuzzy blues-rock exterior. Lyricism plays a central role in maintaining this eerie momentum, as the repeated lines, “Where do we go? How do we know? When will it end? How does love live?” cycle continuously through the mix. Rather than settling into a simple pattern, the track expands into a vast, sprawling soundscape, ultimately climaxing in a blistering, searing guitar solo.
‘Woken’ forms part of a larger, more expansive sonic profile on ‘We Just Survived’, sitting alongside fellow album cuts such as ‘Detritus’, ‘Sweetness In The Snarl’, and ‘The Trainman’. They are tracks that showcase the breadth of the duo’s songwriting, setting the foundation for the album while also letting the film-noir narrative ‘Raze It Down’ and the Pink Floyd-esque ‘Pit Pony’ breathe.
Released in December last year, the album is a bold blend of hemispheres, styles, and creative talents. It’s a dynamic and impressive debut that proves distance is no barrier when raw creative energy takes over.
You can listen to ‘Woken’ above via Spotify, along with the rest of ‘We Just Survived’ on all major streaming services now. The band intentionally operate without social media, preferring to let the music speak for itself, so make sure you keep your eyes on the band via Bandcamp and all favourite digital streaming platforms for future releases.
