Brisbane-based indie rock outfit The Valery Trails Return with Fifth Album "Winter Palace"

Brisbane-based indie rock outfit The Valery Trails unveil their fifth full-length album, Winter Palace, a dynamic and adventurous collection that builds on more than a decade of thoughtful songwriting, sonic experimentation, and transcontinental collaboration. Centered around the raucous single “First Kiss” — a driving ode to youthful obsession wrapped in glammy guitar crunch — the new record flirts with classic rock à la Redd Kross and The Hold Steady, while never taking itself too seriously.

Originally founded in 2011 by expatriate Australian Andrew Bower (vocals/guitar) while living in Houston, The Valery Trails came together with brother Sean Bower (bass) and drummer Dan McNaulty in their hometown of Brisbane. Despite being separated by oceans, the trio pieced together their debut Ghosts and Gravity (2012) with a mix of home recording, travel, and internet hustle — a DIY spirit that earned them international college radio airplay and critical praise from PopMatters, The Big Takeover, and others.

Subsequent albums Buffalo Speedway (2014), Chameleon Bones (2016), and The Sky Is Blue (2022) expanded the band’s melodic, atmospheric indie rock with help from long-time collaborators Tim Steward (Screamfeeder) and vocalist Skye Staniford (We All Want To). Their move toward a traditional band setup and successful Australian tour cemented their presence on both sides of the Pacific, with consistent charting on US college and specialty radio.

Winter Palace sees The Valery Trails stretching their sound further than ever — blending synth-pop textures, retro horns, jangly powerpop, and straight-up rock and roll. It’s a confident, genre-fluid record that reflects the band’s commitment to forging their path, still fueled by curiosity and joy over a decade in.