Home
News

Bold, Bright, and Built for the Stage: MARENE Unleash New Single ‘Finchie’ and Video, Ahead of Genre‑Spanning EP ‘Nevermine’

Bold, Bright, and Built for the Stage: MARENE Unleash New Single ‘Finchie’ and Video, Ahead of Genre‑Spanning EP ‘Nevermine’

 

MARENE Photo by Romy Suter

South Africa’s Flash Rock powerhouse MARENE explode into their latest era with the release of their heart‑on‑sleeve single ‘Finchie’ and its accompanying cinematic music video. Produced to perfection and steeped in nostalgia, ‘Finchie’ channels the raw rush of unrequited youthful longing, pairing soaring choruses with glossy synth‑laced guitars to create one of the band’s most personal yet accessible anthems to date. The music video brings the song’s bittersweet themes to vivid life through dreamy visual storytelling and a retro‑pop aesthetic, inviting viewers into a neon‑washed teenage fever dream.

To celebrate the launch of ‘Finchie’, MARENE will take the stage at WinterFest’25 on Saturday 26 July – unveiling their live debut of the new single amid the festival’s high‑energy lineup.

“I wrote ‘Finchie’ when I was seventeen, sitting alone in my bedroom,” recalls frontman Tyler Duggan. “It began as a name – dangerous, striking, strangely endearing – and grew over countless versions. At its heart, it’s a classic boy‑meets‑girl tale, but it’s more than just a story: it’s a feeling born from loneliness and unrequited love.”

Keyboardist and backing vocalist Maronay Todkill adds, “To me, ‘Finchie’ is the sound of a young heart grappling with something as vast as love. It’s pure, kind and naively earnest – the way only first love can be. We pour ourselves into someone who may never know we exist.”

Driven by Ozzey Padayachee’s groove‑laden bass and Arian Helm’s comet‑like lead guitar, the single balances vulnerability and power in equal measure. “When I first heard the final mix, I was blown away by the raw emotion,” says Padayachee. “We’re known for our flashy, in‑your‑face performances, yet here we channel a tender spirit. Loving an idea more than the person beneath – that’s the modern Pygmalion and Galatea story at play.”

Helm agrees: “‘Finchie’ is a masterpiece of longing and vulnerability. Every lyric and chord resonate with moments you’ve felt but never quite been able to express.” Drummer Skye Nagel rounds out the band’s reflections: “There’s something cinematic about ‘Finchie’ – like the opening scene of a film you know won’t have a happy ending, but you’re captivated nonetheless.”

‘Finchie’ arrives as the first taste of MARENE’s new EP ‘Nevermine’, due for release on Friday 1 August. Across five shapeshifting tracks, the EP showcases the band’s evolution and appetite for experimentation – reimagining fan favourites and delivering bold covers with their signature Flash Rock swagger. From the synth‑sparkle reinvention of Sabrina’s ‘Boys (Summertime Love)’ to The Church’s ‘Reptile’ reframed as a shadowy alt‑rock drama, ‘Nevermine’ traverses moods and influences with thrilling versatility.

“An EP offers freedom to experiment, and ‘Nevermine’ is our boldest detour yet,” reflects Tyler Duggan. “It spans harder‑edge rock, poignant ballads, and remixed staples from our back catalogue. It’s a glimpse into our evolving future.” Maronay Todkill calls it “a what‑could‑have‑been moment reimagined,” while Padayachee emphasizes how tracks like ‘Reptile’ and ‘Boys (Summertime Love)’ reveal “our versatile spirit in full display.”

Since bursting onto the scene in 2018 with an electrifying blend of thunderous riffs, shimmering synths, and breath‑stealing theatrics, MARENE have redefined South African rock. Their live résumé – from national‑TV debut on Expresso to slots at WinterFest and RAMFest – proves they deliver a full‑blown sensory spectacle every time they step on stage. Now, with ‘Finchie’ and the EP ‘Nevermine’, MARENE raise the stakes once more, redrawing boundaries with depth, bite, and heart.

‘Finchie’ Single (Available Friday 25 July) https://hypeddit.com/finchie

Watch ‘Finchie’ Music Video (Available Friday 25 July) https://youtu.be/M6PaGDuivsk

Follow & Stream MARENE

#MARENE #FlashRock #StormForgedRiffs #NeonHighwaySoundscape #GuitarAnthems #SynthTextures #SeismicRhythms #MusicTheatrics #LiveMusic #SouthAfricanRock #RockRevolution #LiveShow #NewMusic #RockBand #UnforgettableEnergy #Devographic #DevographicMusicAgency

MARENE Photo by Devographic Music Agency

MARENE Live Photo by Killkenny Photography

MARENE Photo Expresso TV Breakfast Show SABC 3