Middle Kids Artistfacts

2016-
Hannah JoyLead vocals, various instruments
Tim FitzVarious instruments
Harry DayDrums
Hannah Joy and Tim Fitz are the primary songwriters in the group. They're also married - they had their first child in 2020.
The group is from Sydney, Australia. They got a lot of support early on from Australia's Triple J radio station, which played their 2016 debut single, "Edge Of Town," and showcased the band. They were happy to get some attention in their home country and thrilled when word spread overseas. A producer on the American late-night show Conan show heard the band and had them perform, which game them some cachet in that country. Elton John got word and declared himself a fan. He put the song on his Apple Music playlist and played it on his Beats 1 radio show, introducing Middle Kids to the UK and other parts of the world.
Tim Fitz was established locally as a solo artist when he met Hannah Joy in 2014. At the time, Joy was in a band and also recording as a solo artist. Fitz became her producer, and when they started working on the song "Edge Of Town" in 2016, they brought in Harry Day to play drums on the track. The collaboration went so well that the three of them formed the band.
Hannah Joy and Harry Day both went to school for music. Joy is a graduate of the Australian Institute Of Music, and Day of the Sydney Conservatorium Of Music, where he majored in Jazz Performance.
They first played America in 2016, then returned in 2017 as opening act for Cold War Kids and on various festivals, including South By Southwest and Lollapalooza.
Hannah Joy writes most of the lyrics, which got more personal starting with their second album, Today We're The Greatest. Their discography is a mix of true stories and fiction.

"It's easier to sing angst that sounds true, and harder to make a joyful song land," Tim Fitz explained to Songfacts. "The best songs are a mixture of both."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

More Songfacts:

I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)Meat Loaf

In Meat Loaf's "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)" what he won't do is a list of six items in the lyrics, including "Forget the way you feel right now" and "Be screwing around."

SummertimeDJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

"Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince is built on a sample of a Kool & The Gang instrumental from 1974 called "Summer Madness," which gets a shout in the line, "This is the Fresh Prince's new definition of summer madness."

Crazy TrainOzzy Osbourne

"Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne is about the Cold War concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D.) should any nuclear missile be fired.

Hey JudeThe Beatles

Paul McCartney wrote "Hey Jude" to comfort John Lennon's 5-year-old son Julian, whose parents were getting a divorce.

Rockin' In The Free WorldNeil Young

"Rockin' In The Free World" is a very pro-America title, but the song takes on politicians who are indifferent to the poor and disenfranchised.

Call Me MaybeCarly Rae Jepsen

"Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen was the song of the summer in 2012 and a major meme. It got some help from her fellow Canadian Justin Bieber, who tweeted that it was "possibly the catchiest song I've ever heard."