Middle Kids

Middle Kids originally formed after Fitz offered to produce some songs for Joy's solo project after attending a show she played.[1] Prior to Middle Kids, Fitz was also a solo artist; he released five EPs between 2011 and 2014 under his own name. They enlisted local jazz drummer Harry Day[2] (who went to school with Joy) for a recording session, in which they recorded their debut single, "Edge of Town".[3]

The song's radio premiere on Triple J in May 2016 was followed by a feature in Rolling Stone. Shortly after the video clip's premiere on Stereogum,[4] the song was added to Elton John's Beats 1 show.[5] The trio won FBi Radio's Northern Lights competition (which sent them to perform in Reykjavik, Iceland at the Iceland Airwaves music festival).[6]

The band recorded and released their debut self-titled EP in February 2017.[3] They also toured with Paul Kelly and Steve Earle in November of that year.[7]

In May 2018, the band released their debut album, Lost Friends. It was primarily recorded in their Sydney home, produced by band member Tim Fitz,[2] and mixed by Peter Katis.

It debuted at number 10 on the ARIA Charts. A Pitchfork review described the sound as "radiant, anthemic indie rock, balancing doubt-ridden lyrics with clear-eyed execution".[8] Lost Friends was nominated for the ARIA Award for Best Rock Album at the ARIA Music Awards of 2016. It won the prestigious J Award for Australian Album of the Year.[9] The lead single "Mistake" was voted into the 2018 Triple J Hottest 100.

Middle Kids played their USA TV debut on Conan.[3] Additionally they have performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!,[10] The Late Late Show with James Corden and Busy Tonight.[11][12] They have played live sessions for KCRW,[13] KEXP,[14][15] KTBG,[16] WFUV,[17] and Triple J (in which they performed a cover of "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House for Like a Version).[18]

The band have toured extensively in the US, performing at South by Southwest, Lollapalooza, Governors Ball Music Festival, LouFest, Firefly Music Festival, Austin City Limits Fest among others.[19][20][21][22] They also opened on tours for the War on Drugs,[23] Ryan Adams,[24] Cold War Kids,[5] Local Natives.[25]

The band supported Bloc Party on a European tour in 2018 and played a live session in the UK at the BBC Maida Vale Studios.[26]

The band released the EP New Songs for Old Problems in May 2019. These were released by Domino in the US, EMI Records in Australia, and Lucky Number in the UK.[27][28][29]

In October 2020, Middle Kids released their first new song in 18 months, the lead single "R U 4 Me?".[30] A second single, "Questions", was issued in January alongside the announcement that their second studio album, Today We're the Greatest, would release on 19 March 2021.[31] The record was supported by three more singles and an Australian tour beginning in May 2021.[32]

The band returned to the Triple J studio in May 2021 to perform their second Live a Version, a cover of Olivia Rodrigo's 2021 single "Drivers License".[33]

In June 2022, Middle Kids spent five weeks in Bournemouth, United Kingdom to record their third album with producer Jonathan Gilmore.[34] In June 2023, they released the lead single "Bootleg Firecracker", their first new track since 2021.[35] It was followed by "Highlands", issued in July.[36] On 18 October 2023, it was announced via social media that in February 2024, Middle Kids will release their third studio album, Faith Crisis Pt 1.[37][38]

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J.

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.