ArtistDirect News
Zach Stephenson Announces Solo Debut "I Needed To Hear Me Say It" for October 30
Zach Stephenson, the charismatic frontman of Australia’s surf‑rock duo Hockey Dad, is stepping out of the two‑piece groove to unveil his first solo studio album, I Needed To Hear Me Say It. The record will drop on October 30 through the newly launched label radius.
The launch is punctuated by the release of the lead single, "In N Out," which premiered today. Stephenson has said the track began as a meditation guide to help him manage panic and anxiety; its looping structure and steady rhythm were deliberately crafted to mirror the breathing pattern required to regain composure.
Stephenson’s solo venture is being released on radius, a label founded by his long‑term manager Daniel Radburn. Radburn’s roster already includes Armlock, dust, and The Belair Lip Bombs, and the move to a fresh imprint signals Stephenson’s intent to explore musical territory beyond the duo’s established two‑person format.
According to reports, the album draws on songwriting influences ranging from Nick Lowe to New Radicals and The Last Shadow Puppets. It shifts between styles while retaining the melodic craftsmanship and distinctive vocal timbre that fans associate with Hockey Dad.
The recording process took place in the Blue Mountains on land belonging to the Darkinjung, Dharawal, Dharug, Gundungurra, Wonnarua and Wiradjuri peoples. Stephenson worked closely with frequent collaborator Wade Keighran, who handled recording and mixing. Mastering was completed by James Trevascus, whose credits include Young Fathers, Portishead and RVG.
The album features a roster of musicians from across the Australian independent scene: Stu McKenzie on drums and percussion, Josh Williams on bass, Stephen Bourke on guitar, and Nick Meadows on horns and keys. Maisie Everett of The Belair Lip Bombs lends backing vocals throughout the record and is featured on "Jeans In Japan."
Hockey Dad’s catalog, which informs Stephenson’s new direction, includes four studio albums—Boronia (2016), Blend Inn (2018), Brain Candy (2020) and Rebuild Repeat (2024)—and the debut EP Dreamin’ (2014). The duo’s releases have charted in Australia, with Blend Inn peaking at number 6 and Brain Candy climbing to number 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart.
Live dates tied to the solo project are slated for the period surrounding the album’s release. The first shows will take place at the Yours and Owls Festival in Wollongong (October 4‑5), at Milton Theatre in Milton (October 24), and at The Forum in Melbourne (November 7). Additional dates include the Princess Theatre in Brisbane (November 27) and the Metro Theatre in Sydney (December 3).
Track listing for I Needed To Hear Me Say It: 1. I Needed To Hear Me Say It 2. Suction Cup 3. In N Out 4. Broke My Jaw 5. Roy 6. Sleeping Through The Dreams 7. Days In The Middle 8. Clutch 9. I Don’t Wanna Be Friends 10. Jeans In Japan (feat. Maisie Everett) 11. Ode To The Echo
Stephenson’s announcement comes after more than a decade of activity with Hockey Dad, a band that grew out of a school‑band partnership between him and drummer Billy Fleming in Windang, New South Wales. The duo has toured extensively in Australia and internationally, including North American tours and appearances at major Australian festivals.
The release of I Needed To Hear Me Say It on October 30 marks Stephenson’s first substantial solo effort and signals a new creative direction while retaining the core elements that have defined his work with Hockey Dad. The album will be available on all major streaming platforms and in physical formats through radius, offering a blend of familiar melodic hooks and fresh sonic textures as Stephenson expands his artistic repertoire.
The launch is punctuated by the release of the lead single, "In N Out," which premiered today. Stephenson has said the track began as a meditation guide to help him manage panic and anxiety; its looping structure and steady rhythm were deliberately crafted to mirror the breathing pattern required to regain composure.
Stephenson’s solo venture is being released on radius, a label founded by his long‑term manager Daniel Radburn. Radburn’s roster already includes Armlock, dust, and The Belair Lip Bombs, and the move to a fresh imprint signals Stephenson’s intent to explore musical territory beyond the duo’s established two‑person format.
According to reports, the album draws on songwriting influences ranging from Nick Lowe to New Radicals and The Last Shadow Puppets. It shifts between styles while retaining the melodic craftsmanship and distinctive vocal timbre that fans associate with Hockey Dad.
The recording process took place in the Blue Mountains on land belonging to the Darkinjung, Dharawal, Dharug, Gundungurra, Wonnarua and Wiradjuri peoples. Stephenson worked closely with frequent collaborator Wade Keighran, who handled recording and mixing. Mastering was completed by James Trevascus, whose credits include Young Fathers, Portishead and RVG.
The album features a roster of musicians from across the Australian independent scene: Stu McKenzie on drums and percussion, Josh Williams on bass, Stephen Bourke on guitar, and Nick Meadows on horns and keys. Maisie Everett of The Belair Lip Bombs lends backing vocals throughout the record and is featured on "Jeans In Japan."
Hockey Dad’s catalog, which informs Stephenson’s new direction, includes four studio albums—Boronia (2016), Blend Inn (2018), Brain Candy (2020) and Rebuild Repeat (2024)—and the debut EP Dreamin’ (2014). The duo’s releases have charted in Australia, with Blend Inn peaking at number 6 and Brain Candy climbing to number 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart.
Live dates tied to the solo project are slated for the period surrounding the album’s release. The first shows will take place at the Yours and Owls Festival in Wollongong (October 4‑5), at Milton Theatre in Milton (October 24), and at The Forum in Melbourne (November 7). Additional dates include the Princess Theatre in Brisbane (November 27) and the Metro Theatre in Sydney (December 3).
Track listing for I Needed To Hear Me Say It: 1. I Needed To Hear Me Say It 2. Suction Cup 3. In N Out 4. Broke My Jaw 5. Roy 6. Sleeping Through The Dreams 7. Days In The Middle 8. Clutch 9. I Don’t Wanna Be Friends 10. Jeans In Japan (feat. Maisie Everett) 11. Ode To The Echo
Stephenson’s announcement comes after more than a decade of activity with Hockey Dad, a band that grew out of a school‑band partnership between him and drummer Billy Fleming in Windang, New South Wales. The duo has toured extensively in Australia and internationally, including North American tours and appearances at major Australian festivals.
The release of I Needed To Hear Me Say It on October 30 marks Stephenson’s first substantial solo effort and signals a new creative direction while retaining the core elements that have defined his work with Hockey Dad. The album will be available on all major streaming platforms and in physical formats through radius, offering a blend of familiar melodic hooks and fresh sonic textures as Stephenson expands his artistic repertoire.