Cool Sounds

Cool Sounds celebrate the release of their new album ‘Party Punisher’ and Castlemaine United’s A grade cricket premiership, with the help of special guest, Castlemaine’s most handsome removalist, Galaxy Hop - live at The Bridge Hotel. Cool Sounds is the key project of Melbourne-based pop polymath Dainis Lacey, backed by a live band that includes members of Way Dynamic, Partner Look, The Ocean Party and Kosmetika. Across five albums, their shapeshifting indie rock has blended '80s pop, cheerful funk, and alt-country—always with a lightness of touch that disguises Lacey’s thoughtful, perceptive songwriting. Their new album, Party Punisher (May 2025), follows 2023’s critically acclaimed Like That.Much of Party Punisher debuted live during a coveted slot at Meredith Music Festival 2024, where the crowd’s reaction confirmed the band’s enduring appeal. The vintage charm remains—Lacey’s knack for oddball pop recalls Talking Heads and Paul Simon. Lacey describes the album as "a road album capturing scenes and stories from touring around Europe and the US—near-death experiences, a rough weekend in Vegas, oversharing Uber drivers, friends falling in love, and a detailed account of buying a musical instrument.” He recorded the album with Dylan Young (Way Dynamic, Good Morning) in his Melbourne apartment over a few weeks, embracing the limitations of the space.  Doors 9pm Galexy Hop 9:15 Cool Sounds 10:15