Nick Carver & the Mean St Butchers

Nick Carver & The Mean Street Butchers, the regional Victorian rock and psychedelic blues outfit known for their raw-edged sound, are back with their new single, ‘Smoke Alone’, set to be released on Friday, September 22. Following the success of their gritty rock anthem ‘I Need To Feel’, this latest offering captures the essence of live, raw, and honest rock.

Recorded entirely live at the Aviary Studios in Melbourne, ‘Smoke Alone’ captures the infectious energy of four musicians vibing in a room with no overdubs or editing. The accompanying video, recorded during the same session, is an intimate inside view of the raw intensity of the band’s live performance.

Like witnessing a storm brew on the horizon, ‘Smoke Alone’ riffs along with an ominous intensity. Ebbing and flowing with a cool, calm and composed demeanour, it’s never rowdy but carries an edgy feel, enriched with tasteful blues licks, dissonant chords and a swaggering rhythm. Carver’s gritty, whiskey-soaked vocals add a coarse texture that ties this entire track together – a song that serves as the last hurrah in the early hours of the morning when only a few souls remain.