Hello Mary Share New Single, ‘Down My Life’ from New Album, Emita Ox

Hello Mary Share New Single, ‘Down My Life’ from New Album, Emita Ox

© Hannah Edelman

Today, Hello Mary share their new single, ‘Down My Life’, the latest to be lifted from their upcoming album, Emita Ox, set for release September 13th via Frenchkiss Records. Described by the band’s Helena Straight as a track that was written after ‘one of the saddest experiences’ of her life – the song features her angelic vocals layered over distorted piano and ominous bass, creating a captivating and emotionally charged listening experience. 

Straight adds:

Down My Life is possibly the most lyrically powerful song for me on the record. The lyrics are somewhat vague, so the meaning behind it is not totally obvious to the listener, which is how I’d like it to be considering the state I was in when I wrote it.

Hello Mary’s Emita Ox will feature a powerful sound that delves deeper into heavy distortion and psychedelic dreamscapes, showcasing the band’s unique blend of gutsy, virtuosic alt-rock. The album was co-produced by the band and Alex Farrar (MJ Lenderman, Indigo De Souza, Wednesday, and Snail Mail) in Asheville, NC.

The band are going on tour to support their new album, playing in the UK for two headline shows in London, including a sold-out date at Brixton’s Windmill on September 5th, and a newly announced show at the Shacklewell Arms on September 4th. After that, they’ll be heading out on the road as the support act for American Football. 

Hello Mary have also announced an Autumn tour across North America, with dates starting in Seattle, WA in October and wrapping in Houston, TX, in November. In addition, the band are confirmed to perform at Las Vegas’ Best Friends Forever Fst from October 11th to 13th and at Austin’s Levitation Festival on November 3rd.

New Album, Emita Ox, out in September

Following their first new music release since their self-titled album last month, New York City’s Hello Mary has announced their upcoming album “Emita Ox,” set for release on September 13th via Frenchkiss Records. Along with the announcement, the band has shared a new teaser for the album, “Three,” which tells the fairytale of a young girl named Emita and her pet Ox.

Of the track, vocalist Helena Straight explains that she was ‘I was describing a vision I had, but I don’t really know where it came from’. Yet despite lacking a specific intended meaning, the imagery in the track feels well-suited for the band. Oxes typically symbolise strength and resilience, and much of Emita Ox’s content reflects Hello Mary’s determination to confront life’s challenges rather than succumbing to them.

The New York City trio of Straight, Stella Wave, and Mikaela Oppenheimer express their emotions through alt-rock anthems on their album. Since forming in 2019, Hello Mary has gained prominence with their unique, fuzzed-out sounds, establishing a darkly playful edge. Their sound pushes into heavy distortion and psychedelic dreamscapes, showcasing their gutsy, virtuosic alt-rock style. Hello Mary co-produced the album with Alex Farrar (MJ Lenderman, Indigo De Souza, Wednesday, Snail Mail) in Asheville, NC.

Listen on Apple Music

In support of Emita Ox the band are set to make their UK live debut, with a headline show at Windmill Brixton and performances at End Of The Road Festival, Manchester Psych Fest, and Edinburgh Psych Fest. They will also be supporting American Football on their UK tour. Additionally, the band are set to be heading out on a North American tour in October. Tickets for all shows go on sale on Friday, July 12th. 

Hello Mary tour dates

  • 30/08 – End of the Road Festival – Dorset, UK
  • 31/08 – Manchester Psych Fest – Manchester, UK
  • 01/09 – Edinburgh Psych Fest – Edinburgh, UK
  • 04/09 – The Shacklewell Arms – London, UK *
  • 05/09 – Brixton Windmill – London, UK *
  • 11/09 – Rock City – Nottingham, UK %
  • 12/09 – Barrowland Ballroom – Glasgow, UK %
  • 13/09 – Bristol SWX – Bristol, UK %
  • 14/09 – Roundhouse – London, UK %
  • 04/10 – Barboza – Seattle, WA *
  • 06/10 – Polaris Hall – Portland, OR *
  • 09/10 – Brick & Mortar (Popscene) – San Francisco, CA *
  • 10/10 – The Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA *
  • 12/10 – Best Friends Forever Festival – Las Vegas, NV
  • 14/10 – Marquis Theatre – Denver, CO *
  • 16/10 – Raccoon Motel – Davenport, IA *
  • 17/10 – 7th Street Entry – Minneapolis, MN *
  • 19/10 – Schubas Tavern – Chicago, IL *
  • 20/10 – Lager House – Detroit, MI *
  • 21/10 – The Garrison – Toronto, ON *
  • 24/10 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY *
  • 25/10 – Ukie Club – Philadelphia, PA *
  • 26/10 – Warsaw – Brooklyn, NY %
  • 27/10 – Songbyrd – Washington, DC *
  • 29/10 – Pinhook – Durham, NC *
  • 30/10 – Masquerade-Purgatory – Atlanta, GA *
  • 01/11 – Andy’s – Denton, TX *
  • 02/11 – White Oak Music Hall (upstairs) – Houston, TX *
  • 03/11 – Levitation Festival – Austin, TX

* with Silversun Pickups

^ with Julie

% with American Football

Hello Mary Tour Dates

Katie Macbeth

katie macbeth

Katie Macbeth is a freelance music journalist and editor of Indie is not a Genre.



This page may contain affiliate links to providers from whom Indie Is Not A Genre receives a commission. These links are marked with an asterisk (*).

Scroll to Top