Attens: The Driving Force of Modern Alt-Rock

Attens is the dynamic musical project of Australian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Liam Howard. Emerging from Melbourne's vibrant indie scene, the artist has carved a distinct niche with a blend of anthemic alternative rock and introspective lyricism. The project's second studio album, 'Echoes in the Static,' debuted at number 12 on the ARIA Albums Chart, cementing Attens' status as a compelling new voice in guitar-driven music.

Early career

Liam Howard formed Attens as a solo endeavor in Melbourne in 2015, following his tenure in several local post-hardcore bands. The initial vision was to create more textured, atmospheric rock music focused on studio craftsmanship. A self-released EP, 'The Grey Space,' in 2016 caught the attention of domestic independent label Dusty Records, which signed Howard and facilitated his first national tours.

Breakthrough

Attens' breakthrough arrived in 2019 with the release of the single "Fault Lines." The track gained rapid traction on Australian community radio and streaming platforms, leading to its addition to high-rotation playlists on national alternative station Triple J. This success propelled the debut album 'Coastal Signals' (2019), which was certified Gold in Australia and spent 32 consecutive weeks in the ARIA Top 100 chart.

Key tracks

Fault Lines — The breakthrough single that defined Attens' signature sound of soaring melodies over driving guitar riffs.

Vertigo — A track from the second album noted for its complex structure and widespread airplay on rock radio formats.

Coastal Signals — The title track from the debut album showcased Howard's ability to craft expansive, atmospheric rock anthems.

The Glow — This later single featured a notable collaboration with producer Catherine Marks, adding a polished sheen to the project's sound.

The momentum from 'Coastal Signals' allowed Howard to expand Attens into a full touring band. The follow-up, 'Echoes in the Static' (2022), saw the artist collaborating with mixer Neal Avron, resulting in a louder, more direct rock record. Tracks like "Vertigo" and "The Glow" received international sync placements in television dramas, broadening Attens' audience beyond Australia.

Fans of Attens' melodic yet gritty alt-rock should also explore other Australian artists shaping the genre. Gang Of Youths shares a similar grand, emotional scale in songwriting. The Rubens operates in a comparable space of soul-infused modern rock. Spacey Jane offers another perspective on catchy, guitar-led indie rock from the same scene. Angie McMahon parallels Attens' focus on powerful, personal lyricism within a rock framework.

Attens' music maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly across alternative rock radio stations and modern rock formats. Online rock radio streams frequently feature tracks from both 'Coastal Signals' and 'Echoes in the Static,' while independent music radio stations champion the project's earlier, raw EP material, showcasing the full evolution of Howard's sound.

Listeners can discover the powerful alt-rock of Attens on radio stations featured across our network. Tune in to hear the artist's key tracks and latest releases through the diverse selection of rock and alternative stations available on onairium.com.