Ainslie Salon presents Potential

Potential is a weirdo dark-pop synthwave plus-a-sax three-piece from Gadigal & Wangal land in so-called Sydney. In early January, Potential are set to release their third album, Normal, on DIY label, Black Wire Records.

Potential is launching Normal with an album release tour of Australia and Aotearoa, playing on Ngunnawal Country at Ainslie Arts Centre as part of the Ainslie Salon program on Saturday 4 February, joined by Lost Coast.

Normal follows On Top (2020) and Doggy (2021), the band’s debut and second albums. Singularly, Normal is Potential’s first concept record, with a focus on the body within an ableist society.

Lyrically, the aptly named Normal is a meditation on function, resistance and the harm caused to bodies from a disability perspective. Musically, it is a brooding, danceable 6-track record, with each song hammering tension to a relieving peak. Layers of synth, baritone sax, guitars, bass and homestyled beats are overlaid by vocals that wash from breathless to baying.

“Synthesizers and streaks of atonal saxophone make for a tense atmosphere that may be overpowering for the faint of heart” - Cameron Menegoni from 2SER’s The Band Next Door.

Potential is Alisha Bourke (Burlap, Clean Shirt), Nick Levy (Ted Danson with Wolves) and Dean Crowe (everything else).

Bar and box office open from 6.30 pm / Performances from 7 pm.

This event is presented by Arts Capital at Ainslie Arts Centre. Arts Capital is supported by the ACT Government.