Block of Flats, a band blending alternative rock and metal, is releasing a new single titled “What’s Your Excuse?”. The track—which distances itself from traditional rock and metal clichés—was created in collaboration with Alex Mattson and Niko Moilanen of Blind Channel, much like the band’s previous single, “I Stand Below It All.” Jonas Olsson and Rami Nykänen also contributed to the production.
“To us, ‘What’s Your Excuse?’ feels really fresh because we intentionally left out traditional rock and metal clichés, all while ensuring the song didn’t lose its rock or metal DNA. The message of the song resonates with me personally: sometimes you just need that final nudge to stop making excuses and actually do what you truly want to do. I hope the song can provide that same nudge to others. Working with Aleksi and Niko from Blind Channel felt completely natural, and Rami Nykänen and Jonas Olsson brought their own unique strengths to the production,” the band explains.
The music video was created by Aleksi Hakala of Hakalight.
Next year, Block of Flats will join Blind Channel on their “Painstream” tour across Europe and the UK. This tour serves as a natural progression from the initial steps the band has taken toward international expansion in recent years; in 2025, Block of Flats toured Europe alongside The Rasmus and the American band The Funeral Portrait. “In February 2027, we’ll be heading out as special guests for Blind Channel on their ‘Painstream’ tour across Europe and the UK. Last year, we toured Europe with The Rasmus and the American band The Funeral Portrait, so this feels like the perfect follow-up—especially since Central Europe is a key market for us. We know the guys in Blind Channel well; both of our bands have moved in a heavier musical direction, and we’re also shaping our live show for this tour to be a bit heavier and darker.”
In September, Block of Flats announced that bassist Kauri Koponen was leaving the band after nearly a decade together. The departure was amicable. For the time being, the band will continue as a trio, with no immediate pressure to find a fourth member.
“Over the last few years, the responsibility for the band has shifted more onto the three of us; so, while the change is bittersweet, the band actually feels even stronger now as a trio. We share the same vision, goals, and a commitment to giving this our all. We aren’t actively hunting for a fourth member, but, of course, open applications are always welcome via the band’s email.” Block of Flats’ upcoming shows, as announced so far, are:
29 Jan 2027 – Klubi, Tampere, Finland
30 Jan 2027 – Pensselitehdas, Porvoo, Finland
12 Mar 2027 – KULT, Helsinki
Blind Channel: Painstream Tour – Special Guest: Block of Flats
09 Feb 2027 – Markthalle, Hamburg, Germany
10 Feb 2027 – Columbia Theater, Berlin, Germany
11 Feb 2027 – Proxima, Warsaw, Poland
12 Feb 2027 – Klub Kwadrat, Kraków, Poland
13 Feb 2027 – Rock Café, Prague, Czech Republic
14 Feb 2027 – Felsenkeller, Leipzig, Germany
16 Feb 2027 – Backstage, Munich, Germany
17 Feb 2027 – Simm City, Vienna, Austria
18 Feb 2027 – Magazzini Generali, Milan, Italy
19 Feb 2027 – Dynamo, Zürich, Switzerland
20 Feb 2027 – Im Wizemann, Stuttgart, Germany
21 Feb 2027 – Batschkapp, Frankfurt, Germany
23 Feb 2027 – La Maroquinerie, Paris, France
25 Feb 2027 – Thekla, Bristol, UK
26 Feb 2027 – KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton, UK
27 Feb 2027 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, UK
28 Feb 2027 – The Garage, Glasgow, UK
02.03.2027 – Manchester Club Academy, Manchester, UK
03.03.2027 – The Underworld, London, UK
03/05/2027 – Kavka Zappa, Antwerp, Belgium
06.03.2027 – Melkweg, Amsterdam, Netherlands
03/07/2027 – Zeche Bochum, Bochum, Germany
08.03.2027 – Live Music Hall, Cologne, Germany