Deaf Raccoon are one of Dunedin’s most exciting new alternative punk bands, and are a testament to the importance of having all-ages gigs. Having only played their first gig in April of last year, the four-piece have already released a single, played the Rockquest National Finals, and made noise at the Dunedin City Council’s New Year’s Eve show at the Octagon. The four-piece are not even out of high school yet, and are already creating music catchier than most of us could ever dream of making.
Critic Te Ārohi caught up with the band right before their sold out show at Pioneer Hall, over in Port Chalmers. This is where they played on a hefty lineup of Dunedin’s best young bands; Sogg, Talking Furniture, Eris, and SEEK HELP!.
Deaf Raccoon consists of Noelle (vocals/guitar, she/they), Chris (bass/keys, he/him), Jamie (drums, he/him), and newest addition Benji (guitar, he/him). The members have known each since “back in the sandpits” as Jamie playfully puts it, and have been making music since about the age of 12 – in various bands that Noelle refused to name. After cycling through guitarists, the trio of Noelle, Chris, and Jamie became Deaf Raccoon. The name “Raccoon” came from an old band name generator website, and “Deaf” coming from the fact that Noelle “can’t hear shit.” (Please wear earplugs, y’all).
The band speaks fondly of their involvement in the Amped Music Project, a music mentoring programme for high schoolers, which Benji describes as “how you go from your bedroom to going to gigs”. Through this programme, the young musos were able to gain valuable knowledge and connections in the local music scene, and were able to really soak in the experience of playing live. “This [all ages] scene probably happened because of Amped,” says Noelle, and Jamie agreed that we’re “very lucky to have something like Amped in Dunedin. Not many other cities have something so supportive.”
When asked about their musical influences, each member had their own list, including highlights such as Weatherday, Built to Spill, Geese, and Muse. Jamie said his “biggest inspiration is the tambourine player from the Brian Jonestown Massacre. He wears very cool glasses, I aspire to be like him.” These kids know ball. Given this diverse set of music inspirations, the band struggled to pigeonhole themselves into a specific genre, with Noelle eventually going with the description: “the punkest a not-punk band could be.”
Their debut single, “Burns Like Hell”, begins with Noelle’s whispered vocals accompanied by a scratchy guitar, before opening up into the catchiest hook you’ll hear this year. Eventually the track breaks into a mesmerising waltz section before a grand finale that leaves you wondering what the hell you were doing at age 17.
This track is just a glimpse into the band’s kinetic live show, and already shows hints of their constantly-developing musical arsenal. When playing live, the band incorporates various keys and electronic elements courtesy of Chris, and the addition of Benji as a second guitarist has already elevated the band’s musical dynamic.
Deaf Raccoon are proving to be a must-watch band amongst the Dunedin scene, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down. They’re deep in the writing process for an upcoming EP, which they are hoping to release “later this year, if we’re lucky”. They’ve also been announced as the opener for the upcoming Pearly* x IVY show in May, which is sure to be a party.
Deaf Raccoon’s debut single “Burns Like Hell” is out now! Follow them on Instagram @deaf.racoonband to keep up with their latest gigs and releases.
