Sydney’s Papaya Tree have made a great re-entry for 2019 with their punchy new single in ‘Covered In Weeds’. A song that deals with personal change and inner-tussles with identity, ‘Covered In Weeds’ is mixes bright tones and sonic textures with some of the band’s most personal songwriting yet.
Recording the single at The Parliament Studios in Sydney with producer/engineer Phan Sjarif (Middle Kids, The Baldwins), before being mastered by Darren Ziesing (RÜFÜS DU SOL), Papaya Tree’s latest is a perfect snapshot of the band’s current creative flavour.
Inspired by songwriter and vocalist Lee McDermott’s short career as a paralegal, ‘Covered In Weeds’ draws on his experiences in balancing corporate work with the drive to be in creative mode with the band.
“Working in law saw me create two personalities: one who I believe to be truly me and another that was this pseudo white-collar worker…it’s not as if I had to take out nose piercings or glue down a mohawk or anything physical, but the constant changing to suit other people or get me further up the ladder wasn’t doing me or my bandmates and good. I know this isn’t a unique experience, it’s something a lot of people do to fit in.” Papaya Tree, Lee McDermott
Having been together and performing around the country since 2017, Papaya Tree have thrived on a strong and continuously evolving sense of musicality and dynamism. Blending influences from fields of reggae, funk, R&B and jazz, the band’s output has continued to diversify and entertain.
Selling out shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, as well as garnering great support from online tastemakers and Triple J and community radio across the country, Papaya Tree have music that has definitely struck the right chords.