We are based in Brisbane; which I personally believe has the strongest music community in the country. Venues are close and work together, bands are actively trying to spread gender equality and diversity on lineups, the industry itself is super supportive of new comers and young people. Plus the weather is BONZA!Your new track ‘Sweetener’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
It’s just a fun song about falling in love, I wrote it about a girl I met earlier this year and the kind of butterflies feeling you get in your stomach thinking about someone you care about.
Where and when did you record?
We recorded it in the middle of the year, our drummer Brock manages an incredible studio called Bedlam Records so we are lucky enough to be able to track literally at home with world class facilities. Not to mention Brock is my favourite engineer in BNE. Pretty damn lucky.How do you usually go about writing music?
Often I will just bring a half-idea to the live room and we will jam it out into hopefully something worth keeping. We throw heaps of music out, and sometimes it takes months to structure a song. On the flip slide sometimes it takes 15 minutes – usually they are the best ones as it all just clicks and feels natural. If we are having to force something over a longer period of time we usually just leave it alone for a while.You’re playing at the Hamilton Hotel in Brisbane Qld on Dec 7, what do you have in store for this show?
We’re bringing up one of our favourite bands RAAVE TAPES from interstate, plus legends Seaside, Bloom Parade, Dumb Things + The Buzzing Towers. It’s going to be one big legend fest, I can’t wait to see so many familiar faces in one room!How did Bugs form?
I just smashed lo-fi demo recordings out on my laptop and met Brock, we started writing together and soon met Jordan when we wanted to play live and form a three piece band with some more full sound.
What or who influences your sound and songwriting?
In the early days I listened to heaps of Wavves, Cloud Nothings, Smith St / Soho and Dune Rats. Nowadays I’d say I take more inspiration from friends bands and life experience. I guess as we have crafted and found our own sound I’ve needed to look less for inspiration and more for creativity.
I hear Bugs are really passionate about mental health awareness, please let us know more:
We’re big on being open about our feelings, talking to your mates and not being afraid to wear your heart on your sleeve. Hyper masculinity traps a lot of good people into thinking they are isolated, and pride can often drive them to do negative things / manifests in negative or antisocial behaviour. We want to help create an environment where these conversations are encouraged. Exploring ways we can help the greater industry is the next step, but I feel it starts with individual action before promotion.
What do you have planned for the remainder of 2018 going into 2019?
We are rounding out the year with a video for our new single and the Xmas show, I can’t say an awful lot about next year apart from a bunch of songs and tours
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Cloud Nothings ‘Life Without Sound’ just finished side B so I think I’ll pop an Ocean Party record on.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
I love a good haloumi roll or nice artery clogging burger. My favourite place to hang out is either back home in Peregian Beach or my bed w/ my cat. When you spend so much time on the road / interstate and working you just want familiarity and comfort.
