Get To Know – PETSEMATARY – For The Rabbits

We Say…

Based out of Oxford, PETSEMETARY started life as the solo-project of Oxford-based songwriter Gaby-Elise Monaghan, before expanding to their current four-piece line-up. The band emerged back in 2018, with the release of their debut EP, Vol. 1, and have since gone on to support the likes of GHUM and Soeur. Along the way they caught the ear of Beth Shalom Records, who will this week release their new single, Get Away With It.

PETSEMETARY’s sound is an intriguing blend, Gaby-Elise’s intimate vocal style, recalling acts like Rosehip Teahouse or Let’s Buy Happiness, is melded with crunchy, emotive guitar tones, and her love for classically heart-crushing songwriters like Elliot Smith and Sparklehorse. Discussing the new track, PETSEMETARY, have suggested it touches on themes of mental health, and, “how it affects the people around you”, the feelings of shame that it can create and ultimately finding the acceptance, “that it’s alright to feel a little messed up”. The track is apparently the first of a number of singles the band have planned for the year ahead, on this evidence they’re a band well worth keeping your ears open for.

They Say…

FTR: For those who don’t know who are PETSEMATARY?

We’re an indie/gothy/grungy four-piece from Oxford

FTR: What can you remember about your first show?

Our first show as a band was at the Jericho in Oxford supporting a sold out show with Soeur. Anya and Tina are really lovely girls and are insane live so it was great to share a stage with them. I’d been playing solo Petsem shows for a few months before that so it was pretty nerve-wracking playing as a full band. But it was also really lovely and wholesome and the room turned out to be packed, so it was a great debut for us.

FTR: Why do you make music? Why not another art form?

I just do haha! Music has always been something that I’ve felt drawn to and I’m not too sure why! My mum is an artist and photographer, so she always inspired and encouraged me to do anything creative whether that be music, painting, reading etc. I’m super lucky in that sense. I used to be really into drawing when I was younger, I just find it a bit discouraging that I haven’t done it in a while and so am not very good at it anymore…That’s obviously a problem I have with myself as it’s all about practice right? It’s definitely something I want to get back into. I love writing, makeup, art and fashion – just anything I can use to express myself really.

FTR: What can people expect from the PETSEMATARY live show?

Lots of reverb, lots of oversharing and maybe even some of Jack’s infamous riff faces.

FTR: What’s next for PETSEMATARY?

Lots more writing and music until the time when we can safely play shows again. We have GET AWAY WITH IT coming out at the end of the month on Beth Shalom Records with some awesome limited edition merch and also an isolation music video in the works, so still working hard with what we can during this weird ass time.

They Listen To…