Claw Machine's debut single 'That's Too Much, Man!' leaves us wanting more
A duo determined to drag midwest emo back into the spotlight.
Gabrielle Michael (Vocals) and
Joshua Tchatchanidze (Guitar) hope to create a community with people who also yearn for the midwest emo scene.
Claw Machine have had our hearts for some time now, and we are stoked to finally celebrate a debut single that proves Australia has another emo heavyweight on the rise.
That's Too Much, Man! is a spiraling, self‑aware confession about what happens when past relationships leave dents you’re still trying to buff out, and how hard it is to trust yourself when you’re carrying old bruises into new beginnings.
At the centre of it is Gabs, whose writing process wasn’t some serene, candle‑lit moment, it erupted in a moment of raw, unfiltered frustration.
Gabs explains:
“The chorus came to me in a quick burst of anger one afternoon when I was feeling frustrated with my lack of progress in improving my mental health… I was left questioning ‘am I really as awful as I think? I wish I could find out.’ For some reason, the only logical way I thought I’d be able to find out was to clone myself and run a science experiment with my shiny new science degree.”
That chaotic, hyper‑specific spiral is exactly what makes the song feel so real. It’s emotionally messy, it’s honest, and it’s the moment Claw Machine stopped being an idea and started being a band.
The BoJack Horseman reference in the title isn’t just a wink; it’s a thesis statement. The duo lean into the contrast that defines the show; upbeat delivery & gut‑punch honesty. They build their sound around that tension. Bright riffs, energetic drums, lyrics that feel like you typed them into your Notes app at 2am.
Behind the scenes, the track comes together with help from their inner circle: produced by Noah Murphy (Days Like These) and mixed/mastered by the self‑declared dream team Nicholas Starrantino (Dear Maryanne, Summerbruise) and Billy Mannino (Macseal, Prince Daddy & The Hyena). It’s a stacked lineup for a debut, and it shows. And the best part? This isn’t a one‑off. Claw Machine are already deep into writing what comes next, with another single expected early next year. If ‘that’s too much, man!’ is the opening chapter, the emo revival they’re stirring up is only getting started.
We are so excited to see what comes next, but for now we are adequately entertained shamelessly screaming these lyrics in the car, shower and hopefully a Perth venue real soon!
Be sure to follow @clawmachineau on Insta, and add That's Too Much, Man! to your playlists.
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