Though Sheeps was born from writing sessions between brothers/guitarists Dean & Simon Blackwell in an Oriental Bay basement in 2015, the band didn’t begin in earnest until the addition of third guitarist Grace Baker, drummer Thomas Friggens, and bassist Blain Fitzpatrick the following year. The band quickly amassed a cult following and began to draw comparisons to the shifting, evolving art rock structures of Radiohead, the affecting and often bleak lyricism of The Smiths, and the grandiose atmospherics of post-rock bands Jakob & Mogwai.
Having signed with Auckland’s AllGood Absolute Alternative Records (AAA Records), Sheeps released their debut album Working The Machine (recorded, mixed, and produced by respected Wellington producer/engineer James Goldsmith) in April 2024. The album debuted at #18 on the Top 20 NZ Albums Chart. Their music video for Generation I (directed by Rich Turner of Black Lantern Film & VFX) went on to win awards for Best Rock Music Video at the Prague International Music Video Awards 2024 and Best Low Budget Music Video at the Nottingham Music Video Awards 2024. It was a quarter finalist in the Best Indie Rock Video category at the International Music Video Underground 2024 and received an official selection at both the Third Culture Film Festival NZ 2024 and the Europe Music Video Awards 2024.
Sheeps supported Japanese post-rock band Toe on the Wellington leg of their Oceania Tour in October 2024. The band are now writing material for their second album, and look forward to closing out the Constable Street stage at Wellington’s Newtown Festival 2025.
