UK’s Infectious Music signs Brisbane duo DZ Deathrays

Just two weeks out from DZ Deathrays’ sophomore LP release, the Brisbane duo have signed to UK’s well-respected independent label Infectious Music.

The duo (Shane Parsons and Simon Ridley) will release Black Rat on May 2 through I OH YOU in Australia before an August 18 release in the UK and Europe. Black Rat follows 2012’s ARIA-winning LP Bloodstreams, which took out Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album that year.

I OH YOU Director Johann Ponniah told TMN: "We couldn’t be more psyched about Infectious Music becoming part of the worldwide DZ Deathrays team, they’re a label who we’ve always admired (along with their acts) and their passion for the band and the forthcoming Black Rat album is extraordinary. Exciting times and happy days."

Headed up by Korda Marshall, Founding Chairman of Infectious Music Ltd, the label is home to some of the most highly touted indie acts like England’s These New Puritans, LA band Local Natives and the ARIA Gold-selling, Mercury Prize winners Alt-J.

Interestingly, Marshall was MD of Mushroom UK for a spell in the ’90s, and it seems that relationship has remained strong, with DZ Deathrays joining other acts from the Mushroom stable – The Temper Trap, Cloud Control and Vance Joy – who have signed with Infectious Music.

Although DZ Deathrays have toured with Foo Fighters, Crystal Castles and Sleigh Bells, and played UK festivals like Reading & Leeds and The Great Escape, it was at London theatre KOKO in October of 2011 where the pair first entered Marshall’s radar.

“[I] first saw them play two years ago at KOKO in London and they were a wild fiery bundle of noise,” he said. “When I first heard this new album what was immediate was how all their hard work and touring had helped them develop into such great songwriters.”

The duo are currently on their way to the UK for a three-week tour supporting Brighton alt-rock duo Blood Red Shoes before they return for a 13-date national run through May.