Heading Down Under for their very first Australian visit, Secret Sounds is proud to present the imminent arrival of sunshine-hearted indie escapists GROUPLOVE.

Its been a solid rise for the Californian quintet and their golden hued guitars. GROUPLOVEs inception sounds like a plotline straight out of a Hollywood indie flick: frontman Christian Zucconi met keyboardist/singer Hannah Hooper in Brooklyn, the pair staying up til four oclock in the morning under the Williamsburg Bridge, listening to mixtapes filled with the Pixies, Nirvana and Fleetwood Mac. A week later, Christian opted to join Hannah on a trip to Greece where, in a small mountain village in Crete, the pair came across Londoner/guitarist Sean Gadd and Californian pro surfer/bassist Andrew Wessen. Drummer/producer Ryan Rabin (studying in Prague at the time) was soon convinced to join in the adventure... and GROUPLOVE was born.

When summer came to a close GROUPLOVE returned to their respective homes, soon realising their creative connection was once-in-a-lifetime material. It wasnt until we went our separate ways and Colours and Naked Kids got onto blogs that we realised, Oh, this is making a bit of noise, weve got to get back together! It was pretty insane, Sean confessed to triple j in February. The best part is that the band started out of friendship the way musics supposed to be played.

Now based in Los Angeles (and with a mascot in the form of pet canine Chuck Muck), with the breakout success of their self-titled EP released in Australia on Dew Process GROUPLOVE are finalising details of their much anticipated, self-produced debut LP, expected for release this winter on Warner Music. Theyve headed across the US with Foster the People, and supported the likes of Florence and the Machine and Los Campesinos! on club dates. We never could have dreamt this up, says Christian, but at the same time we're not at all surprised GROUPLOVE is meant to be. Our story is a testament to fate, and our music is something were ready to share.

Christian Zucconi (a dead ringer for Thurston Moore) yowls, I am a man, man, man, man in pleasingly desperate, scratchy tones ... Lady of the synths Hannah Hooper sports a theatrical mask and huge, hooping black tutu, contributing to a raging melodrama that makes like a jejune Arcade Fire hopped up on blue Smarties. Its exciting beyond belief, and its not often that such a feeling jumps up and bites you on the bum with a band so fresh-faced. NME

Currently hitting the road alongside fellow hot newcomer Anna Calvi on the NME Radar Tour, GROUPLOVE are also set to take to the stage this year at major festivals like Lollapalooza and Glastonbury.

In the weekend just gone, they also did a stint at UKs Great Escape earning them a place in Q Magazines Top 10 New Bands of the Weekend. GROUPLOVE are no strangers to this title, with Nylon Magazine and NME, already placing them in the Top 10 of their Best New Bands of 2010. They have also made fans at Spin in the US with the mag declaring them "a band to watch in 2011" and their track Colours "one of the most infectious songs you're bound to hear."

GROUPLOVEs last week sent new single Itchin On A Photograph out into the online world. The video, capturing the stories of a roadside hotel room in middle America, was premiered worldwide on NME.com view it here: http://bit.ly/kuKouD

Before heading off to Chicago, GROUPLOVE are joined by fellow Californians YOUNG THE GIANT whove also supported the likes of Kings of Leon and Minus The Bear. YOUNG THE GIANTs wistful, dreamy and very, very catchy pop track Apartment is currently on high rotation on triple j. Their live show promises to bring a slice of California summer to our cloudy winter.

The sunny misfits, GROUPLOVE will bring their insatiable melodies to Aussie fans this July, with a spot on Splendour in the Grass and exclusive sideshows dates. These will sell quick; dont miss em!

Grouplove EP is out now.