As they gear up for a monumental year, Brisbane-based alt-rock trio Selfish Sons are making waves with their new single Revolver, released this week as a taster for what to expect on their upcoming US tours.
Learning to navigate their new home in LA, the three-piece have dove head-first into American life, trekking across the country as support acts for Australian icon The Kid LAROI and rap legend Lil Wayne.
The band, made up of brothers Jordy and Finn, as well as long-time friend Jonty, has progressed from their high school days to the crowds of many a Brisbane venue and is now an internationally recognised act, captivating swooning audiences with their charisma and musical talents.
With a sound that is equal parts lush pop and untamed grunge (think The 1975), the three-piece have been endorsed by the likes of triple j, iHeartRadio, and Ones To Watch, and even got to tour with the Jonas Brothers on their Australian shows earlier this year.
In a morsel of their free time between the balancing act of LA and Australia, the band caught up with The Music to share their insights on how rapid success has been treating them and offer advice for how other local artists can make the move to the City of Angels.
What has this week looked like for Selfish Sons?
Hey! Thanks for having us. Honestly, this week has been a whole lot of trash instant coffee and 6-8-hour rehearsal days in our manager’s living room. We just put out our new record, Revolver, and we have a show in Ontario, CA, this weekend supporting Lil Wayne, so it’s been insane. A real ‘pinch me’ kind of week.
What prompted the move from Brisbane to LA?
We owe the move to our team. Leslie [one of our managers] took it upon herself to take a chance on us, putting us up in her living room and setting us off on rogue expeditions. It’s a fever dream, really. There’s a lot to experience and so much room to grow as a band out here. It was worth all the paperwork, that’s for sure.
As Brisbane artists, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced when moving to LA, and how did you overcome them?
It’s expensive out here. I swear it’s like 12 Aussie dollars for a coffee, so there’s been many a tuna can consumed for dinner, and a whole lot of tactical thinking around how we can maximize a motel breakfast and pocket a waffle or two for the road. We had never really experienced how the city ebbs and flows out here as well; when you’re up, you’re on cloud nine, and when you’re down, you really don’t know how you’re going to come out the other side of it so thank God for my brothers, because honestly, our relationship with each other has got us through all of it so far.
What are the best hubs for music in LA?
The best part of this city is that anywhere at any time you could run into someone that can change your life. The talent and calibre of artists out here in every facet of the industry is mind-blowing so I wouldn’t say there’s a specific place or hub, just find a dimly lit place with spirits on a shelf and go from there, for all the good and bad, no place quite compares.
What’s the craziest celeb encounter you’ve had in America?
I don’t know if it counts as a celeb encounter, but I got hustled by a Scientologist once, super weird.
How did opening for The Kid Laroi and Lil Wayne come about?
Our agent Mike, who is an absolute legend, threw our name in the ring as a Hail Mary for a Lil Wayne show opening slot back at the start of the year, and somehow, he heard us, and it stuck; I don’t think any of us expected it. We played the first few and his team kept having us back. It’s been such a pleasure to play alongside both of them. They work so hard, and there’s genuinely no better motivation than to see them doing what they do best.
You’ve just released your newest single, ‘Revolver’ – congratulations! Run us through the process of creating this song and the meaning behind it.
Oh, this record was one of the most elating tracks to make. It was live in the room with our producer, Tom Eggert, just having a blast and messing around with weird guitar sounds and oddball vocal melodies. I think the spirit of the process was to go for things we wouldn’t usually do, step away from comfort, not try too hard and see what would come out if we just played in the room and I just spat nonsense into a mic until lyrics emerged. Truly one of the most entertaining and quick sessions I’ve had the pleasure of being a part of and I feel like the song reflects that whilst also touching on some quite personal relationship turmoil. Who doesn’t love a bit of drama every now and then, right?
What do you miss most about home?
Our mums and dads, our dogs, Bunnings sausages, minimal traffic and the beach, for sure.
Lastly, what is one piece of advice you wish you had received before moving to LA that you would share with other Aussie artists considering the leap?
In n Out has a secret menu, and you can make the fries not taste like cardboard by going animal style, and you can replace the buns with grilled onions if you want, who knew? I wish I’d known that earlier I would have been a much happier person from the get-go.
Also, if you get the opportunity, don’t hesitate, back yourself and it’ll all be worth it.
After their end-of-year US tour dates, Selfish Sons will be making their way back to Australia on the What A Beautiful Waste of Time Tour. Tickets are available for the Australia tour via the Selfish Sons’ official website.
