Jittered guitars and lofi fuzzed out vocals. 2 minute songs that linger for a lifetime. Media Puzzle are fast becoming one of the most exciting musical exports.
Led by Tom Peters, Media Puzzle have released several EPs and LPs, with their latest EP Intermission received to much acclaim. Their upcoming LP, New Racehorse, to be released 18 April via Impressed Recordings.
Who are you and what are you releasing for Record Store Day 2026?
My name’s Tom. I sing, play guitar, and write music for ‘media puzzle’ and we’re putting out our 4th album, New Racehorse for release on record store day.
Your new album, New Racehorse, is getting a limited edition 12” solid white vinyl release for Record Store Day 2026! How are you feeling about releasing for Record Store Day? What does the day mean to you?
I’m just as excited as I am nervous! It’s the first time we’ve put anything out for RSD, and I’m so proud to be a part of it. Record stores do so much for musicians and their consumers. For myself, it was one of the first stepping stones into getting my music heard outside of my small bubble of friends. Shoutout to Mario at Howl & Moan Records in Byron Bay!
Listening to music on vinyl can sometimes feel more raw and connected. Do you think that experience can compare to seeing you live? Does it capture the same high energy?
I think they’re two separate things, possibly incomparable. For me, playing live always feels more raw and in your face. You don’t get to choose how loud it is, or when, or what songs you want to hear. The beautiful thing I love about both though, is that whether you’re listening to a live set or spinning a record, is that both are curated in a specific order by the artist. It’s done on purpose to evoke whatever the artist is trying to express. Whether you try to chase that feeling or express your own is obviously up to you. But I find that super special.
For someone picking up your new album on vinyl on Record Store Day, what do you think or hope will hook them about your music?
I really don’t know! This new album is entirely different to anything we’ve released before, which is really cool, and really scary. I love absurdism in music, and it’s something I still try to include in all the puz stuff. So maybe that?5. 6.
You’ve recently played some great shows including SXSW 2025 in Sydney, and recently toured with ‘Regurgitator’ in Feb 2026, give us your pre-show rituals and ways you prepare for a show.
Thanks, yeah! Sometimes I do a couple of jumps and bend my knees before playing a set. I look like a trainer out of those 90’s aerobics TV shows, but probably a lot more uncoordinated.
New Racehorse is quite a ‘striking’ name for an album! Is there any story behind that name?
Totally. The whole album is kinda horse-themed, which makes sense, being that this project was named after a racehorse. The album name itself is from track 10, called ‘Equine End of Life’ and it’s about the struggle of repetition and a need for change. This album is sonically different, so the name ‘New Racehorse’ felt very fitting.
Your music is described as ‘Australian egg punk meets pop sensibilities with lofi fuzzed out vocals, how do you find that balance on this album’s songs?
There’s a lot less egg on this new record. It’s fun to play and write, but I wanted to try something else. There are still hints of it in most songs, but this album is a lot more post-punk-esque than egg. Still very poppy! Lofi too. I listened to a lot of jangle pop while writing this new record… so there’s a heap of that in there as well.
As a band, where do your creative influences come from? What’s the songwriting process like?
A whole lot of places. Super inspired by the Sydney and Melbourne punk/garage scenes. Bands like Tee Vee Repairmann, Gee Tee, Alien Nosejob, etc.. Other influences include Gary Numan, DEVO and a lot of early Beck. Mainly inspired by horses, though.
The songwriting process starts and finishes in my little bedroom studio most of the time. Normally, most songs start with guitar, but I’ve made an effort to try and break that tradition with this new album. Some songs began with the lyrics first, some with samples, some with bass, etc… It goes on. Experimenting in these new ways has been so much fun, and I’ve learnt a whole lot.
Are you doing anything to celebrate RSD this year? Any in-store shows or signings where fans can find you?
Yeah! We’ll be doing an in-store on the 18th at Badlands Vinyl in Tweed Heads, as well as an album launch the night prior in Lismore (17th). See u there!
If you were to own your own record store, what vinyl would be your store’s album to have on repeat?
Amazing question. I hate it. Too many good albums. Gonna play it safe here and go with Freedom of Choice by DEVO. Truly a masterpiece.
Grab your copy of New Racehorse on RSD.
Media Puzzle and Jono’s Mate Sheep perform at Badlands Vinyl on Record Store Day. Live music commences from 12:30pm.
