Dream Wife Stream Debut Album via NPR First Listen + Announce U.S. Tour

London-based and British/Icelandic born punk rock trio Dream Wife will release their long-awaited self-titled debut album next week, but starting today you can stream the record early courtesy of NPR First Listen. Since forming in 2015 as a college art school project, Dream Wife - a name chosen as commentary on society's objectification of women - have become one of the foremost up-and-coming bands out of the U.K. With their debut album they come out guns blazing, armed with strong messages of empowerment backed by their fierce live shows where inclusivity is not only encouraged, but required. Stream Dream Wife now HERE, and pre-order the record physically HERE or digitally HERE.

Dream Wife have also just announced that they'll bring their ferocious live set on the road with Sunflower Bean this Spring, but first will play Brooklyn with two gigs next week that are not to be missed. They will also tour throughout UK, Europe, and Australia over the next few months. See below to find a show near you, and get your tickets HERE.

Dream Wife is more than just a band, Dream Wife is a way of life. You'll struggle to find a tighter knit trio than this trio of astrological fire signs. The band came together while they were studying at Brighton University in the U.K., with roommates Rakel- who was born in Iceland and raised in California - and Bella deciding they needed to enlist hotshot guitarist Alice while a fewJägerbombs deep on an indie disco dance-floor. Alice responded to the pair's Facebook message instantly and the dayglo world of Dream Wife was born. Initially formed as part of a performance art project, and a way to obtain their dream trip to Canada, they quickly realized that their chemistry was too powerful for them just to be a one time thing. They took themselves out on the road under their own steam, and started touring with only four songs and without a booking agent, promoter or a tour manager.

The band chose Dream Wife for its wordplay, not from the 1953 Hollywood rom-com which none of them had ever seen, and for its wry nod to their feminist politics. "It's a commentary on the objectification of women; the 1950s American Dream stereotype package. Having the dream house, the dream car and the dream wife," they explain. "We want to flip the script on that. Women aren't objects; we don't just fit into one mold. At the start, we joked around calling each other our wives, but by supporting one another, celebrating achievements together and finding strength in female solidarity we're reclaiming the concept of a 'wife.' Being in a band is a marriage in itself."

When it comes to their sound, Dream Wife worships at the twin altars of David Bowie and Madonna. A scene unto themselves, their gigs are a riot of handmade props and stage sets that cover everything from space beaches to haunted graveyards, while their finely tuned show is the product of extreme DIY beginnings. It's the songs too that make the shows, from the fiery fury of "FUU," to the new wave politico-pop of "Somebody," and euphoric old school indie hit "Fire." These are songs in the classic mold - big, beautiful and crazily catchy. And, of course, there's the three dynamic women at the band's core. Alice is convinced the group's drive and dedication comes from the fact they're all fire symbols. "We're a power trio," she says. "There's a crazy energy between us." Bella is in agreement; "It is magic when we're together." Get ready to fall under Dream Wife's spell.

Dream Wife are: Rakel Mjöll (lead vocals), Alice Go (guitar and vocals) and Bella Podpadec (bass and vocals).

Tour dates

1/22/2018 Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere

1/23/2018 Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade *

1/26/2018 London, UK @ Sebright Arms

1/29/2018 London, UK @ Rough Trade East

2/2/2018 Adelaide, Aus @ Laneway Festival
2/3/2018 Melbourne, Aus @ Laneway Festival
2/4/2018 Sydney, Aus @ Laneway Festival
2/6/2018 Sydney, Aus @ The Landsdowne
2/7/2018 Melbourne, Aus @ The Tote
2/10/2018 Brisbane, Aus @ Laneway Festival
2/11/2018 Perth, Aus @ Laneway Festival

2/15/2018 London, UK @ Jazz Cafe

3/7/2018 Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Sugar Factory
3/8/2018 Hasselt, Belgium @ Café Café
3/9/2018 Berlin, Germany @ Badehaus Szimpla
3/10/2018 Copenhagen, Denmark @ Ideal Bar

3/11/2018 Malmo, Sweden @ Plan B
3/12/2018 Stockholm, Sweden @ Obaren
3/14/2018 Hamburg, Germany @ Molotow Sky Bar
3/15/2018 Koln, Germany @ Blue Shell

3/16/2018 Paris, France @ Les Femmes s'En Melent

3/17/2018 Rotterdam, Holland @ Roodkapje

3/18/2018 Brussels, Belgium @ AB Club
3/20/2018 Bristol, UK @ The Exchange
3/21/2018 London, UK @ Heaven
3/23/2018 Glasgow, UK @ Stereo
3/24/2018 Manchester, UK @ The Deaf Institute
3/25/2018 Dublin, Ireland @ Workmans Club

5/2/2018 Hamden, CT @ The Ballroom at Outer Space #

5/3/2018 Boston, MA @ Sonia #

5/4/2018 Montreal, QC @ Petite Campus #

5/5/2018 Toronto, ON @ The Garrison #

5/6/2018 Buffalo, NY @ The Mohawk #

5/8/2018 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern #

5/9/2018 Detroit, MI @ Pike Room #

5/12/2018 Grand Rapids, MI @ Founders Brewing Co. #

5/13/2018 Pittsburgh, PA @ Funhouse #

* with Sleigh Bells

# with Sunflower Bean

http://www.dreamwife.co
https://www.facebook.com/dreamwifedream
https://www.instagram.com/dreamwifetheband/
https://twitter.com/dreamwifemusic
http://www.luckynumbermusic.com

Photo credit: Joanna Kiely

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