Play For Keeps dish up a slice of indie pop-rock gold on their debut EP, HEY LOVE
Play For Keeps have spent the last six months proving themselves to be one of the most exciting new acts on Aotearoa’s indie pop-rock scene - a reputation they’re firming up with today’s release of their debut EP, HEY LOVE.
The title of the EP takes its name from the record’s most emotionally charged song, the indie-pop anthem, ‘Hey Love’, which blends intimate lead vocals with soaring backing vocals, to capture the exhilarating highs and painful lows of deep connection.
Balancing hope, vulnerability and heartbreak, the song explores the complexity of commitment when the honeymoon phase fades. “It dives into the raw, unfiltered reality of choosing love through difficult moments, where ecstasy and pain exist side by side,” says the band’s bass player, Tim Cederman.
The EP also features the songs ‘Handsome Boy’, ‘Presumptuous’ and ‘Out Of The Dark’. Individually, each of the tracks are grounded in clever songwriting with infectious indie pop-rock melodies and instrumentation. Collectively, HEY LOVE explores the ‘human condition’ in all its glory and its messiness. “Hopefully people will find themselves processing some of their emotions. We're a band that holds tension well - in our song writing, in how we perform live through to our recorded music. We can be fun and light-hearted, then pivot very quickly to the real, rawness of life and reflect that in our studio recordings and on-stage performances,” says the band’s lead singer, Simon Hart.
Produced by Tom Healy (Marlon Williams, Nadia Reid, Tiny Ruins), the EP marks a new chapter for Simon Hart, Tim Cederman, Nic Hart Rob Grover and Andy Gibbs) who first began turning heads as the act Ellie Oak, before earlier this year revealing a new look, sound and name - Play For Keeps.
Since then, the Ōtautahi five-piece have gone from strength to strength, performing festivals such as Nostalgia and drawing support from NZ’s student radio network as well as wracking up thousands of global streams on Apple and Spotify.
Accompanying the EP release is a music video for focus single ‘Hey Love’. The video is directed by Joel Wallan and is filmed at various locations throughout Christchurch. Watch HERE
“We wanted to capture the ups and downs of relationships and that ultimately, for a relationship to work out it takes bloody hard work, arguments and shit tonnes of forgiveness. We liked the idea of a tennis court because of the image of tennis players smashing a ball between each other to 'win' a game and if that's your mindset in a relationship then you're screwed. The aim isn't to win arguments but to listen and hear each other out.”
Play For Keeps share a love for The Beths, Arcade Fire, and The War On Drugs. Their sound blends catchy melodies with emotive, honest lyricism and a touch of self-deprecating humour, songs that sit comfortably between heartfelt reflection and light-hearted absurdity. Known for their energetic live shows and genuine on-stage chemistry, Play For Keeps pride themselves on connection, sincerity, and playing every set like it matters.