“Deep Blue” captures the feeling of escaping the noise and pressure of everyday life. What does escapism look like for you personally, and why do you think that feeling resonates so strongly right now?
Escapism comes for us in the form of switching off, ironically from the online world. I think we’re all fatigued by the pressure of having an online presence, whether it’s socially or at work, as well as the impact of the current financial and political climate. I think that’s why escapism really resonates with everyone right now.
Across IRL (In Real Life), you explore feminism, internet culture and the contradictions of modern life while still leaving plenty of room for humour. How does humour help you approach subjects that might otherwise feel heavy?
There’s a lot of discourse in the world, and whilst we believe strongly in standing up for what you believe in, we also know that sometimes people need a break from all of the seriousness. At its core, it’s about staying true to ourselves, but doing it in a tongue-in-cheek way to cut through the noise.
The ocean plays a big role in the feeling behind “Deep Blue”. What is it about being near the ocean that allows you to switch off and see things differently?
There’s something so grounding about being in nature, and most of the time, you can’t take your phone swimming, and in summer your phone gets too hot to use. It’s a nice reminder that you can actually switch off. There’s also something about the sound of ocean waves, which is a form of pink noise, that can be super calming. I think all of those things together help you switch off and see things a little differently.
Calling the EP IRL feels particularly relevant for a band exploring internet culture. What does being “in real life” mean to Internet Romance in a world where so much of our lives happens online?
Being present in real life is a real priority to us. We know a lot of bands now use online interfaces to make music from completely separate places, but we prioritise the importance of connecting weekly, from band practice to blocking out days at a time to record these songs in person. At the end of it all, human connection makes music so therapeutic and adds a touch of magic. Especially in a world where AI music is going to rise, we love to hear the imperfections and the grit that make our sound unique.
The EP takes some satirical shots at the manosphere. What inspired you to explore that side of internet culture, and what do you think people often misunderstand about it?
Being a female-fronted band, manosphere culture feels particularly jarring and we see the danger of that particular rhetoric. Again, in a world where people take themselves so seriously, we thought it was important to highlight this in a way that was witty and showed the ignorance of that viewpoint.
There’s a strong sense of self awareness throughout Internet Romance. How do you make sure irony and humour don’t take away from the emotional honesty behind the songs?
I think it all comes down to our raw sound. You can hear the emotion through every explosive hit of the drums, the melodic guitar and bass riffs that at times feel heavy. The cadence of our words and the choices to emphasise certain phrases all lean into the rawness and realness of our music.
Blake Bashfield produced “Deep Blue”. What was the creative relationship like in the studio, and what did he bring to the track that you hadn’t initially imagined? Blake was great to work with. We were fans of his work in both Smartcasual and Sesame Girl, and when we heard his production style, what stood out to us was the way he worked with vocals. Being an alt rock band that leans into a heavy sound but with a melodic female vocalist, it felt like a really good match. He elevated parts of our sound during the process and challenged us to think about song structures in a way we hadn’t before, while still enabling us to stay true to our sound. We felt that working with him really helped us achieve the best versions of the songs.
The name Internet Romance feels like a collision between something deeply human and something inherently digital. What does the name represent to you now that the band has developed further?
The name Internet Romance is an ode to how we met, but as we’ve come together, we’ve realised the real-life connection and friendship we’ve forged. We have the opportunity to come together and create sound that we love, and that connection and communication keeps us together and is key to our continuous growth as a band.
You’re bringing IRL to The Evelyn for the EP launch in October. How are you imagining the live show, and what do you want people to experience when they walk into the room?
We can’t wait to showcase these songs. A lot of people have heard different iterations of these songs over time as they’ve developed, but it will be the first opportunity for people to hear them in their final form. We want this to be an opportunity for everyone in the room to forget the pressures of life, come together, have a kick-ass night and celebrate!
We’re playing alongside two incredible Melbourne bands too, In The Caverns of Death and Last Embers, it’s a privilege to share the stage with talented musicians. Plus, to end the night, we have the funkiest DJ in all of Melbourne, DJ Retro Red, spinning tunes and closing out the night. So good vibes are guaranteed!
Once people have heard IRL from beginning to end, what do you hope they understand about Internet Romance that they might not have understood from hearing just one song?
By the end of it, we think people will hear how dynamic our sound really is, from melodic shoegaze elements to driving heavy rock. We’re not limited to one particular box. We honour our creativity and put out music that, first and foremost, we like. We’re not here to please the masses. We know our songs will resonate with those they’re meant for.
I.R.L (In Real Life) is launching at @theevelynhotel on Friday 9 October 2026
