UKULELE DEATH SQUAD RETURN WITH SWAMPY NEW SINGLE ‘DAY DRINKING’ FROM UPCOMING EP, ESSENTIALLY MY LIFE IS A DISASTER
Australia’s most unpredictable and unforgettable musical collective, Ukulele Death Squad, today unveils their brooding new single ‘Day Drinking’ — the third taste of their forthcoming EP, Essentially, my life Is a disaster.
Following the joyous first single ‘Cooee’ and fan-favourite follow-up ‘Black Cat’, ‘Day Drinking’ reveals a darker, more introspective side of the eight-piece outfit, pairing emotional honesty with the band’s trademark musical chaos and theatrical punch.
A slow, dirty blues anthem built around an all-in chorus vocal, ‘Day Drinking’ sees commanding lead vocals from Ashlee Randell collide with Pidge’s slide guitar, Julian’s banjolele and a blistering saxophone solo — a swampy southern groove that only Ukulele Death Squad could deliver.
Lead vocalist Ash Randell says the track explores the discomfort that comes with life shifting beneath your feet.
“Day Drinking is a song about avoiding the pain of change. I can default to throwing myself into control or self-destruct modes, but real healing becomes possible when I learn — and re-learn — to sit in the discomfort. When I accept that my expectations don’t match reality, it makes way for crafting new paths and trusting that over time it won’t hurt so much. Repeatedly reminding myself: you have good things in your life, no matter how small, and you will be okay.”
Set for release on May 14, Essentially, my life Is a disaster captures Ukulele Death Squad at their most adventurous, blending heart-stopping ballads, wild humour and genre-hopping musicianship into one gloriously unfiltered collection. Recorded and mixed at Rolling Stock Studios throughout 2025, the EP moves through Australiana disco, grungy blues, Latin surf-rock and the band’s signature Balkan-inspired ukulele brass mania.
Ukulele Death Squad have built a cult reputation as the band no one can define but everyone wants to see live. Their explosive performances have won over audiences across Australia, New Zealand and Europe, with shows that blur the line between concert, cabaret and communal release.
With ‘Day Drinking’, the squad deliver another bold reminder that beneath the chaos lies real heart — and sometimes healing sounds loudest when sung together.
‘Day Drinking’ is out now. Essentially, my life Is a disaster is out May 14.
UKULELE DEATH SQUAD “ESSENTIALLY MY LIFE IS A DISASTER” 2026 NATIONAL EP TOUR
Saturday, May 16 – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide
With Laura Hill & Bromham
Saturday, May 30 – Metro Social, Sydney
With Redfern Sea Shanty Club & Ashkan Shafiei
Saturday, June 13 – Howler, Melbourne
With Loz Irwin-Ray & Charlie Needs Braces
Saturday, June 27 – Crowbar, Brisbane
With Jam and Scones & Anjali Leonard
Tickets available now for $40+bf from www.ukedeathsquad.com
ABOUT UKULELE DEATH SQUAD
Adelaide-born, Sydney/Melbourne-based Ukulele Death Squad’s latest release ‘Cooee’ is the lead single from their upcoming fourth EP – ahead of a major 2026 tour spanning Australia, Germany and the UK.
With over 500,000 streams and four SA Music People’s Choice Awards under their belt, the genre-defying collective bridges the gap between folk tradition and high-octane energy.
From their beginnings at Adelaide Fringe to debauched summer festivals across Germany and beyond, Ukulele Death Squad have built a reputation as one of the most unforgettable live acts in the country. Their shows aren’t just performances – they’re invitations to release your inhibitions and become the silliest, boldest version of yourself, for one night only.
