Great Park Avenue, the Swedish indie rockers, have released their latest single “Pete My Teacher”. The four-piece band has been making waves in the London music scene and beyond with their unique sound and dynamic live shows. With an EP and several singles under their belt, Great Park Avenue is gearing up to release their sophomore EP, Limitless Prolific Divineness, next month.
“Pete My Teacher” showcases Great Park Avenue’s driving indie rock sound, with a punchy rhythm section and energising guitar work that will get your heart racing. The instantly catchy vocal melodes are sure to get stuck in your head for days, and the lyrics are a testament to the band’s playful and irreverent nature.
Great Park Avenue’s sound is heavily influenced by the mod and Britpop scenes of the 70s, but they bring their own unique twist to the genre. They don’t take themselves too seriously, and that’s part of what makes them so endearing.
It’s clear that Great Park Avenue is having fun with “Pete My Teacher”, and that energy is infectious. The band’s tight musicianship is on full display here, with each member contributing to the overall sound in a meaningful way. The guitar work is particularly impressive, with the lead riff serving as a hook that will keep you coming back for more.
“Pete My Teacher” is a must-listen for fans of indie rock and Britpop. Great Park Avenue has a unique sound that’s sure to win over listeners, and this latest release is no exception. With their second EP on the horizon, it’s clear that the band is poised for big things in 2023 and beyond. Keep an eye out for Great Park Avenue, because they’re undoubtedly a band on the rise.
We caught up with band members Axel, Zach, Johnny and William to find out more about their musical journey so far, their new single “Pete My Teacher” and what they’ve got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Great Park Avenue below.
Hey guys, howâs things?
All Good! Booked and busy as the youngsters say!
What was your biggest highlight in 2022 as a band?
Zach: Being introduced as âThe next international breakthroughâ and then causing our first mosh pit at a posh bar in Stockholm.
Axel: Joining the band would be a pretty big one cause this feels like the band Iâve been looking for since I was like 15.
How did you first get into making your own music?
Z: We started as a cover band playing requested songs at parties and after a while began to sneak our own songs in the setlist so that people would ask us afterwards âwhat was that amazing song in the middle that I canât recall from any of David Bowies albums?â
William: Yes, that’s exactly how it was, haha. I also had a thing for saying sometimes when asked who wrote a particular song that I had written it myself. Usually when just playing and singing acoustically at some get-together of sorts.
Which artist first made a lasting impression on you?
Z: The Swedish punk act âEbba Grönâ because it made me feel rebellious as a kid even though I didnât pay attention to the lyrics.
W: Swedish rapper Dogge Doggelito, he really made me realize that words matter.
A: The Who probably? I liked a lot of music before that but that band was my way into playing music as well as really caring about clothes.
What do you love about the Stockholm music scene?
Z: That there are too few bars to play at so you can tick them all off the list nice and easy.
A: Feels like a lot of people are open to different sounds.
Johnny: Even though the scene is quite harsh for emerging bands over here, thereâs still quite a few of them that are trying to make it work regardless of the not so optimal circumstances.
Which artists do you draw the most inspiration from today?
W: Alessandro Alessandronis album âPaisĂ â really made my dinners more enjoyable during covid. I would love to pass that feeling on and record more music that makes supper time more nice.
A: Lots of Motown and Northern Soul artists. Great to listen to as a bass player and for your record collection, but bad for your wallet.
J: A couple of weeks ago we went to see Shame, seeing bands like them live always gets me psyched to write more and more grittier songs. A different kind of supper music but still great tunes.
How else do you find inspiration for your music?
W: Sleeping and dreaming.
What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?
Z: Anywhere, as long as it is played unreasonably loud.
W: I was about to say underwater but that’s not ideal really.
A: Iâll counter William and say outer space, or wherever weâre playing.
J: Slightly tipsy.
How has your sound evolved since you started out?
We started out sounding like something from the series F.R.I.E.N.D.S but year after year with a gradually more and more emotionally exhausted band. We are more free now than ever in our music.
How did you find making your new single âPete My Teacherâ?
Nice and easy.
What message did you want to get across with this release?
Peace, love and unity!
What artist have you been listening to most recently?
Z: The Beach Boys, because I want to improve my back-up vocals, Catfish and the Bottlemen, really good contemporary indie-rock and Slowthai, a complete British mess.
W. Magnus Dölerud, Life Without Buildings, The Fleetwoods, Richard Hawley, Maria Silva, Moon City Boys and Faust to name a few.
A: Arctic Monkeys, always. Nick Waterhouse, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Supremes, Serge Gainsbourg, Alexandra Savior, Yikes, Ahmad Jamal Trio.
J: The Human League, Ultravox, Sparks and things like that.
Whatâs the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?
That the people should enjoy themselves cause itâs worth having a good time.
Whatâs been your favourite live show so far?
Probably our show at The Camden Rocks festival in London.
A: Since I wasnât in the band for that Iâd probably say our gig at legendary anarchist/punk house Kapsylen in Stockholm.
How was it playing live in London?
It was a blast, a trembling joyful journey. We had some splendid nights out and played for an almost but not completely empty room, it was so much fun though, and the few people who made it out were absolutely wild haha.
Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?
A: A reunited Oasis, Fontaines D.C and The Who. Iâd force them to play at some field here in Stockholm since so few of those types of bands ever come here.
J: The Libertines, Babyshambles and Pete Doherty and the Puta Madres would be a fun night.
Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?
Z: Buy super expensive instruments and mics, because it will make you sound better than you are!
W: And then you canât afford to waste your time on other things like traveling and such.
Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2023?
An EP is gonna be out May the 12th, itâs been given the modest name âLimitless Prolific Divinenessâ. On the 13th, the day after releasing our EP, weâre playing the fantastic Stockholm venue Debaser! Together with another local band St. Jimi Sebastian Cricket Club. Itâs going to be an absolutely lovely evening. Then weâre playing more dates in Sweden and hopefully England as well. Weâre also finishing up a small documentary about the recording process which will be done anytime soon if weâre not all too embarrassed with the content, heheâŠ
Listen to Pete My Teacher below
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