South Africa’s Flash Rock powerhouse Marene are turning up the emotion with the release of their deeply personal new single “Finchie” and its cinematic music video.
Packed with glossy synth‑laced guitars, soaring choruses, and a nostalgic, retro‑pop aesthetic, “Finchie” captures the raw ache of unrequited teenage love. The dreamy visuals dive headfirst into this bittersweet theme, inviting fans into a neon‑washed fever dream of longing and hope.
The band will celebrate the release with a live debut of the single at WinterFest’25 on Saturday, 26 July, where they’ll bring their trademark high-energy performance to the stage.
The Story Behind “Finchie”
Frontman Tyler Duggan recalls how the song began: “I wrote ‘Finchie’ when I was seventeen, sitting alone in my bedroom. It started with just a name – dangerous, striking, strangely endearing – and evolved through countless versions. At its heart, it’s a classic boy‑meets‑girl tale, but it’s really about that feeling of loneliness and unrequited love.”
Keyboardist and backing vocalist Maronay Todkill adds, “For me, ‘Finchie’ is the sound of a young heart grappling with something as vast as love. It’s pure, kind, and naïvely earnest – the way only first love can be. We pour ourselves into someone who may never even know we exist.”
Bassist Ozzey Padayachee describes it as Marene’s most vulnerable track yet: “When I heard the final mix, I was blown away by the raw emotion. We’re known for flashy, in‑your‑face performances, but here we tap into something tender. It’s like loving the idea of someone more than the person – that modern Pygmalion and Galatea story.”
Guitarist Arian Helm agrees: “’Finchie’ is a masterpiece of longing and vulnerability. Every lyric and chord resonates with feelings we’ve all had but never fully expressed.”
Drummer Skye Nagel wraps it up perfectly: “It feels cinematic, like the opening scene of a film you know won’t end happily, but you can’t look away.”
“Finchie” is the first single from Marene’s upcoming EP “Nevermine”, out Friday, 1 August. Across five tracks, the band pushes their sound into new territory, blending rock anthems, ballads, and unexpected covers with their signature Flash Rock flair.
Check out the video for “Finchie” below:
You can stream “Finchie” HERE.
From a synth‑sparkle reinvention of “Boys (Summertime Love)” by Sabrina to The Church’s “Reptile” reimagined as a dark, alt‑rock drama, Marene prove they aren’t afraid to take risks.
“An EP offers freedom to experiment, and ‘Nevermine’ is our boldest detour yet,” says Duggan. “It moves between hard‑edged rock, poignant ballads, and remixed favourites from our catalogue. It’s a glimpse of our future.”
Todkill calls it “a what‑could‑have‑been moment reimagined,” while Padayachee highlights how tracks like “Reptile” and “Boys (Summertime Love)” reveal Marene’s versatility.
More info about Marene
Since their explosive 2018 debut, Marene have carved out a unique space in South Africa’s rock scene with their mix of thunderous riffs, shimmering synths, and theatrical live performances. From a national-TV debut on Expresso to festival slots at WinterFest and RAMFest, they’ve built a reputation for delivering full-scale sensory spectacles.
Watch this space for updates in the Music Videos category on SA Music Zone.
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