Cape Town shoegazers deliver an emotive journey through reverb, reflection, and raw beauty.

Alternative rock/psychedelic shoegaze band FILTHY HIPPIES unveil their long-awaited new EP, Waves, out today via Mongrel Records.
 
Following the release of their acclaimed single “Honey,” the EP sees the band diving deeper into their signature haze of reverb-soaked guitars, dreamlike vocals, and emotionally charged lyricism. Across its tracks, Waves captures fleeting moments of beauty and loss, swelling and breaking like the tides that inspired its name.
 
“Waves’ is best described by a lyric from ‘Air’; ‘It’s like hearts, melting into flames,” says the band. “We just tried to capture simple moments and put them into relatable songs.

Formed in 2018, Filthy Hippies have built a loyal following within South Africa’s underground rock scene through their lush, layered soundscapes and DIY approach. Blending elements of shoegaze, alternative rock, and psychedelic textures, they craft songs that are as introspective as they are expansive.

Buy and stream the EP here: https://orcd.co/_waves

The new EP showcases the band at their most confident and cohesive yet — a collection that flows effortlessly between vulnerability and distortion, reflection and release. Waves feels both intimate and cinematic, solidifying Filthy Hippies’ reputation as one of the most compelling acts to emerge from Cape Town’s alternative scene.

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Cape Town’s alternative rock/psychedelic shoegaze outfit Filthy Hippies return with their brand-new single and video, Honey, the first offering from their forthcoming EP Waves, set for release on 24 October 2025 through Mongrel Records.
 
On Honey, the band leans fully into their shoegaze sensibilities, wrapping listeners in a haze of shimmering guitars, hypnotic textures, and reverb-drenched vocals. Beneath the lush soundscape lies a quiet mourning — a reflection on the unraveling of the world and the helplessness of watching cherished things slip away.

“The track laments the world slowly turning on itself and the inevitable destruction of all the things that we hold dear,” explains vocalist and guitarist Andrew Paine. “It’s a cry for help, knowing that no one is listening anyway.”

Buy and stream the single: https://orcd.co/_honey

Since forming in 2018, Filthy Hippies have carved out a space in South Africa’s underground rock scene with their DIY spirit and immersive sound. Their music blends dreamlike vocals with layered, feedback-heavy guitars and an ever-shifting line-up, creating a catalogue that feels both raw and transcendent. With Honey, the band captures the fragility of modern existence while further cementing their reputation for crafting music that is as emotionally heavy as it is sonically expansive.
 
The single is accompanied by a brand-new video, offering a visual extension of the track’s themes — hazy, intimate, and tinged with melancholy.

Filthy Hippies’ upcoming EP Waves promises to expand on this sound, exploring deeper emotional currents and pushing their psychedelic shoegaze into uncharted territory.

Pre-save the EP: https://orcd.co/_waves_

Cape Town’s favourite alternative psych-shoegaze collective, Filthy Hippies, have released the music video for their track Miserable, taken from their recently launched album, A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy out now on Mongrel Records.

Since emerging onto the South African music scene in 2018, Filthy Hippies have carved out a distinct sonic identity—meshing swirling shoegaze textures with gritty psychedelic undertones. Their work has earned them a dedicated following, cementing their place among the most compelling acts in the country’s thriving underground. From spellbinding live sets to festival appearances, including a memorable performance at the 2019 Endless Daze Festival, Filthy Hippies continue to push boundaries with every release.

The band also welcomes a refreshed and expanded line-up for this new era. Joining Andrew Paine (Vocals/Bass/Guitar), Mandy Backström (Bass/Vocals), and Tim Ball (Guitar) are Jan-Hendrik Van Wyk (Guitar) and Divan Swanepoel (Drums). This dynamic five-piece brings renewed energy and textural richness to both the band’s studio recordings and live performances, allowing the group to dive deeper into the sonic landscapes they’ve become known for.

The video for “Miserable” is a layered visual journey—raw, dreamlike, and reflective. It captures the emotional paradox at the heart of the track. “We tried to contrast the melancholic vibe of Miserable with a cheerfully sung chorus, that hints at the possibility that the protagonist is happy being unhappy,” says vocalist Andrew Paine. That contrast is brought vividly to life in the video, pairing distorted performance visuals with surreal, analogue textures.

“Miserable” encapsulates the spirit of A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy—an album that drifts through emotion, memory, and existential haze, yet remains grounded in the grungey grit of real experience. It’s an ode to introspection, a sonic pilgrimage wrapped in fuzz and feeling.
 
Fans of My Bloody Valentine, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, or South Africa’s own Dangerfields will find themselves right at home in the Filthy Hippies’ immersive soundscapes.

Buy and stream the album at https://orcd.co/trip-melancholy

Cape Town-based alternative-psychedelic band Filthy Hippies have made a name for themselves in the South African music scene with their signature shoegaze-infused sound. Since their formation in 2018, they have cemented their reputation as a standout act in the country’s thriving psych scene, sharing stages with notable bands such as Dangerfield and delivering an unforgettable performance at the 2019 Endless Daze Festival.
 
After a period of evolution and lineup changes, Filthy Hippies are thrilled to announce their latest album, A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy. This release marks a significant chapter for the band as they bid farewell to longtime collaborator Mark Van Zyl, who was instrumental in shaping the record before his upcoming move to New Zealand.
 
“His intense creativity will be sorely missed,” shares frontman Andrew Paine. “But it was awesome to get to go down the rabbit hole one last time with him before he goes.”
 
‘A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy’ is exactly that—a vibrant yet introspective journey through the highs and lows of life. “It’s just reflections on everyday experiences and emotions,” Paine explains. “A journey through a slightly jaded mind.”

The album embraces a message of presence and acceptance, reminding listeners to cherish fleeting moments. “Enjoy every moment as it happens,” says Paine. “Things fade away far too quickly, and life moves in very definite cycles.”

Buy and stream the album at https://orcd.co/trip-melancholy

Filthy Hippies took an organic approach to songwriting, allowing tracks to develop naturally through jam sessions at their home studio, The Sanctuary. “The usual jamming at our home studio, and the songs just fell into place,” Paine states simply.
 
The recording process was an immersive and intensive experience, with the band diving deep into late-night brainstorming sessions and extended tracking marathons. “Everything was recorded at our home studio, The Sanctuary. Lots of late-night brainstorming and intensely long sessions—it was a lot of fun.”
 
With a Phil Spector-esque wall of sound blending rich textures, layered harmonies, and deep-rooted pop sensibilities, A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy’ stands as a defining statement from Filthy Hippies.

Cape Town’s psychedelic alternative shoegaze unit, Filthy Hippies, are back with a brand-new single, Get Out Of My Way, a track that encapsulates the frustration and disillusionment of a confrontational experience. This new release is taken from their latest album, A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy out April 4^th via Mongrel Records. The album marks the band’s final collaboration with longtime comrade Mark Van Zyl before he emigrated to New Zealand at the end of February 2025. His intense creativity will be deeply missed, but the band is grateful for one last sonic deep dive with him.

Inspired by the overwhelming feeling of having just had enough, Get Out Of My Way delivers a passive-aggressive gut punch of fuzzed-out guitars, hypnotic rhythms, and ethereal, layered vocals.

Stream and buy the single at https://orcd.co/out-of-my-way

Recorded at The Sanctuary, the band’s home studio, the track was entirely self-produced, mixed, and mastered by Filthy Hippies, staying true to their immersive and DIY approach. The recording process was a whirlwind of late-night brainstorming and intense sessions, culminating in a song that is raw, unfiltered, and drenched in emotion.

Alongside the new single, Filthy Hippies recently released their latest full-length album, A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy, a reflective body of work that embraces the fleeting nature of life and the cycles within it. Written through jam sessions in their home studio, the album’s essence lies in living in the moment—because everything fades far too quickly.

The Filthy Hippies Lineup:
Andrew Paine – Vox/Guitars/Keys
Mandy Backstrom – Bass/Vox
Tim Ball – Guitars
Ca’lee Tucker – Guitars
With special contribution from Mark Van Zyl

As Filthy Hippies continue to carve out their unique space in the South African alternative scene, Get Out of My Way is a testament to their unrelenting creativity, pushing sonic boundaries while staying true to their hypnotic, atmospheric roots.

Established in 2018, FILTHY HIPPIES, a South African Alternative trio with a strong Shoegaze influence, have become notable contenders in the burgeoning South African psych scene. Their reputation has been solidified by supporting Post-punk band Dangerfield’s album launch and their performance at the 2019 Endless Daze Festival. Filthy Hippies create a distinctive sound, described as a Phil Spector-esque wall of sound fused with deep-rooted pop inflections. After undergoing personnel changes over the last year or two, the band has re-emerged as a five-piece and is excited to announce their new album, ‘Share The Pill.’

‘The album was born out of a period of uncertainty and change for the band. The new lineup and the challenges they faced inspired them to create an album that emphasizes the importance of valuing time, exploring, questioning, savouring moments, and dreaming. The songs were primarily written during late-night sessions filled with frustration, reflecting the band’s journey back to the stage. The recording process was a blend of home studio sessions and collaborations with Ruan Vos at Sonic Nursery and Floris Le Roux. Described as “a colourful trip through melancholy,” ‘Share The Pill’ promises to deliver a rich and immersive listening experience.

Buy and stream the album at https://orcd.co/share-the-pill