The poster band of Melbourne's future in music: Violet and "Poster Boy"
- Natasha Trajkovski
- Jun 11
- 2 min read
Naarm/Melbournian trio Violet are on a roll with their single lineup this year so far, with their fourth tune, “Poster Boy”, blending the sound they have refined so early on in their career. Just shy of four-and-a-half minutes, “Poster Boy” is yet another insight into the band’s unrestrained approach to the art form. From the band’s appearance in Djilang/Geelong’s scene in 2021, they have quickly become prominent figures in Melbourne’s underground music scene, with gigs at Collingwood’s popular Nighthawks venue to promote the release of their previous single, “Settle a Riot”. The three-piece jigsaw of the band is composed of members Harry Jones on vocals and guitar, Wanda Dohl on drums, and James Elliott on bass, each coming together to nail a shared post-grunge vision.
Not only does Dohl’s name resemble that of the world-renowned Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters singer, but sitting behind a drum set, she captures the same energy and passion as Grohl in his early days. Hand her some drumsticks and tell her just to play a simple beat, and she will roll her eyes - Dohl won’t do anything if not her 100%, and that is what drives each band’s tunes.
Elliott’s proficiency in his bass-playing is not hidden, and grounds “Poster Boy”, just as it does in the band’s other singles, such as last year’s “Amadeus”. He and Jones have a noticeable, tight sonic bond, with their guitars and bass perfectly complementing each other in a sound reminiscent of the United Kingdom’s Keo. This heavier rock influence is accompanied by mellifluous vocal melodies that Jeff Buckley himself would be in awe of.
“Poster Boy” carries an emotionally heavy feel right from the get-go. The band has managed to bring out a beauty in conflict, with lyrics such as “just remember that the words are little things to keep the phone to your ear”, highlighting the speaker’s insincerity towards the song’s subject. This, however, is then followed by a full circle, as the chorus sings “it's this thrill that keeps me company in my ear”. The intense relationship in the song functions almost as an entire story in itself, trapping you as an audience member. Jones’s haunting vocals further intensify this raw emotion, with his soft singing approach, similar to Inhaler singer Elijah Hewson, contrasting with the tune's inner melancholy.
We don’t know exactly what is coming up on Violet’s agenda, but there is a good bet that we can expect more belters, and if the band’s subtle Instagram post that hints “there might be more dates to keep an eye on in the not so distant future” is right, there is definitely a reason to keep your eyes peeled and notifications on.
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