Perth four-piece Tired Lion have unveiled a new single, ‘Agoraphobia’, after the panic disorder that results in an extreme fear of open or public spaces, and was inspired by each band member’s experience with mental illness.

“It’s something that people do experience and whether they talk about it or not is actually quite normal,” says frontwoman Sophie Hopes, who in the past has been very open about her own struggles with mental health.

“I remember when I was going through it I really thought there was something wrong with me and you really try and be something that you’re not at the time and the only way to fix the problem is to go, ‘Okay cool, so that’s a thing that I’ve got and I just need to work with it in my own way’ and realise how to tackle it rather than just giving up on yourself.”

The band have filmed a raucous house party video to accompany the single, which serves as a metaphor for the pressures of mental illness. According to Hopes, the chaos on screen wasn’t just acting.

“There were a couple of times where people chipped their teeth, got elbowed in the eye, I got my hair pulled out pretty hard and I was left with a couple of bruises, but it was all to make a good video,” she says. “I think we’ve also realised now Ethan has an allergy to duck feathers.”

Violent Soho National Tour Dates

Friday, 28th October 2016
Riverstage, Brisbane
w/The Bronx & Tired Lion

Saturday, 29th October 2016
Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
w/The Bronx & Tired Lion

Monday, 31st October 2016
Festival Hall, Melbourne
w/The Bronx & Tired Lion

Friday, 4th November 2016
AEC Theatre, Adelaide
w/The Bronx & Tired Lion

Saturday, 5th November 2016
Red Hill Auditorium, Perth
w/The Bronx & Tired Lion

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