Prism Tats New Album 'Mamba' Is Out Now
Today, the new Prism Tats album Mamba is out now on Anti- Records.
Mamba is the sophomore album from South Africa-bred artist Garett van der Spek, also known as Prism Tats. Recorded with producer Chris Woodhouse (Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall), Mamba explores themes of self-inflicted isolation, working-class hopelessness, and the emotional damage of technology addiction. Stream Mamba at Spotify now
Earlier this week Prism Tats shared the video for “Doomed”; an esoteric short featuring a young woman and her dog who take a road trip to an extraterrestrial destination.
With its sonic complexity and understated emotional depth, Mamba has a double meaning to its title. “It’s the name of a venomous snake, and in my hometown it’s a slang term for the biggest or meanest of something,” van der Spek points out.
Prism Tats ultimately delivers music that is transformative for both listener and creator. “So much of writing and performing is like a kind of therapy for me,” says van der Spek. “The older I get and the more of life I experience, the more I rely on that as an outlet. Without making music I’d probably go crazy, and it feels good to know that I could never stop doing it.”
Prism Tats will play a record release show this Saturday, March 3 at Permanent Records in Los Angeles. Later this month Prism Tats will tour in support of Mamba.
MAMBA TRACKLIST:
1. Venomous Slang
2. Vamps
3. Brainwaves
4. Daggers
5. Ocean Floor
6. The Liar
7. Live Like Dogs
8. Gloom Tomb
9. Mamba
10. Doomed
Originally from Durban, South Africa, van der Spek relocated to the U.S. after years of playing in local bands and working on solo projects. In 2014 he founded Prism Tats, and in 2015 landed a deal with ANTI- after being discovered at SXSW.
Since his self-titled debut arrived in 2016, Prism Tats has landed support slots with indie-rock icons like Guided By Voices and Nada Surf, toured on his own and with a band, and continued to write and record steadily. Last summer, he released the acclaimed five-song EP 11:11.
PRISM TATS TOUR DATES
Mar 03 Los Angeles, CA – Permanent Records
Mar 29 Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie
Mar 30 Washington, DC – Comet Ping Pong (w/ Eternal Summers)
Mar 31 New York, NY – Alphaville (w/ Eternal Summers)
Apr 07 Redding, CA – The Dip
Apr 09 Seattle, WA – The Sunset (w/ Wild Powwers)
Apr 10 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios (w/ Wild Powwers)
Apr 11 Sacramento, CA – The Golden Bear (w/ Wild Powwers)
Apr 12 San Francisco, CA – Café Du Nord (w/ Wild Powwers)
Apr 13 Los Angeles, CA – Moroccan Lounge (w/ Wild Powwers)