[MUSIC NEWS] WINDWAKER Announce New Album And Tour

Australia’s genre-bending Windwaker are thrilled to announce their third album, smile, you’re on camera, will be out Friday 23 October via Civilians & Fearless Records – available to pre-order here. To celebrate, the band have also unveiled the intoxicating new single “closer“ and confirmed an Australian headline tour for October/November. Presented by triple j and Destroy All Lines, the run will see the band joined by special guests and first time visitors The Pretty Wild (US), as well as RinRin and DREGG. Tickets go on sale Wednesday 29 July at 12pm local time via Destroy All Lines.

“We are so excited to bring our new album to life on stages all around Australia,” says Windwaker vocalist Liam Guinane. “We’ve poured so much into this record, and we can’t wait to play these songs live for the very first time. We’re also so stoked to be bringing out The Pretty Wild for their Australian debut, along with a couple of our favourite Aussie artists. We hope to see you all there.”

The tour will begin just a week after the release of smile, you’re on camera, a record that stands as the soundtrack to Windwaker’s journey since HYPERVIOLENCE. Described as their most honest release yet, smile, you’re on camera sees Windwaker channel the challenges and triumphs of the past few years.

“smile, you’re on camera is undeniably our best and most focused collection of songs to date,” says the band. “We learned so much making this record together, and we’re incredibly proud of what it’s become. It opens the door to who we are, and offers a glimpse into our world through the highs and the lows. It’s the most personal and honest Windwaker has ever been.”

The band teased this new chapter with “victory lap” and “click” (with RinRin), heightening anticipation for what’s to come. Co-written in Los Angeles with the band and Daniel Braunstein (Spiritbox, Dayseeker), new single “closer” explores the arrival at a crossroads and deciding whether to give up and pursue normalcy or keep going and fight the good fight; it’s an existential battle that most of us face and Windwaker effectively set it to a post-industrial, alt-metal anthem.

Joining Windwaker on their Australian headline tour are Las Vegas sisters The Pretty Wild, bringing their unpredictable mix of metal, hard rock and electronics to Australian audiences for the very first time. Their audacious spirit creates an electrifying force that defies convention. The Pretty Wild captivates audiences hungry for something different, singing of disillusionment, the struggles of the industry, and the pursuit of authenticity beyond social constructs.

click.” collaborator RinRin also joins the bill. Fusing hyperpop with alt-pop, alt-metal and pop punk, the Filipino-born, Australian-based artist has carved out a lane entirely her own. Since emerging in 2020, RinRin has shared stages with The Plot In You, ERRA, Caskets, and The Home Team, while also joining Walk Off The Earth for a six-city arena tour across China.

Opening all shows except Perth are fellow Melburnians and Fearless Records labelmates DREGG. Known for their high-energy fusion of metal, hardcore and rap, their music, visuals, and over-the-top personas serve as a satirical lens on modern culture. Blending shock value with deeper commentary, DREGG encourages fans to embrace their inner weirdos and challenge societal norms through unapologetic self-expression.

Since their formation, vocalist Liam Guinane, guitarist Justin Keurntjes, bassist Indey Salvestro, drummer Chris Lalic, and synths/samples specialist Connor Robins have cultivated one of Australia’s most fiercely loyal heavy music fanbases.

Continuing their rapid rise, the band recently completed their first ever US headline run, The Hounds of the Underground Tour, with If Not For Me and Colorblind, while also making their Sonic Temple Festival debut alongside My Chemical Romance, Dayseeker, Pierce The Veil and more. They’ll return to North America this November and December supporting Beartooth alongside Don Broco, before heading back to Europe in February with Bury Tomorrow and Stick To Your Guns.

Don’t miss Windwaker on their biggest Australian headline run to date. Tickets will be available Wednesday 29 July at 12pm local time via Destroy All Lines. “closer” is out now and streaming everywhere. New album, smile, you’re on camera, will be available Friday 23 October via Civilians/Fearless Records. Available to pre-order on vinyl and CD here.