INTERVIEW: Indie Rock from The Burbs

Coming out of Australia’s Surf Coast rock scene in 2016, The Burbs have spent the past eight years bringing their own music world to life. Known for their knack for blending infectious pop melodies with dark, reflective lyricism, the band has earned a reputation for their thrilling sold-out shows and East Coast tours.

Their sound is a love letter to nostalgia, conjuring a mix of sonic and visual elements that transport listeners to another place entirely. This year they’ve been capturing their sound in the studio, sharing the first taste of their sound via their 12-track debut demo album, Sunlight Spills Across The Swimming Pool, a record that perfectly showcased their ability to pair sun-soaked melodies, driving rock energy and deep emotional undercurrents.

Now, the band is back with their latest single, “Ladder To The Moon,” a track that further builds on their status as purveyors of heartfelt, melancholic rock with a nostalgic edge. “Ladder To The Moon” is a soft rock ballad that spans just two and a half minutes, but in that short time, The Burbs manage to create an atmosphere that feels timeless.

Revolving around themes of friendship, hope and loss, the track starts with the lo-fi buzz of radio transmissions and static noise before the gentle strum of acoustic guitar chords and warm bass notes sets a lilting rhythmic scene. With the snap of laid back drums, the lead vocals enter to thread delicate melodies above.

Flowing with elegant harmonies and carried by the mellow groove of the arrangement, the track distils a Pink Floyd inspired vibe as tinges of David Bowie and dashes of Oasis echo through their songwriting. Instilled with melancholic stylings yet wrapped in a subtly uplifting sound, “Ladder To The Moon” sees The Burbs deliver a stunning showcase of their enduring songwriting and original sound.

As sweet melodies hover above the folk rock style instrumentation, shades of psychedelic aesthetic lend a hypnotic quality to the song, resulting in an engaging and entirely enjoyable listening experience. It’s a superb demonstration of the band’s creativity and performance panache as they continue to share more of their compelling musical vision with the world.

We caught up with The Burbs to find out more about their musical journey so far, their new single “Ladder To The Moon” and what they’ve got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with The Burbs below.

Hey guys, how’s things?

Things are exciting, we’re out looking for panthers in the Otway Ranges.

How did you get together as a band?

We’d all been going up to the city for dumb little solo shows and stuff and kept bumping into each other at gigs and parties and eventually decided to combine forces.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

Single Twin, The Posies, Dinosaur Beard, Ash, Deloris, Primal Scream, Bluebottle Kiss, Lavola.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

Sonic Energy keeps the creative juices flowing.

What’s been your highlight of the year so far?

Our drummer Danny went to Tasmania and came back with a handmade mug in the shape of an old man’s face which now sits proudly in the band room and has been improving group morale by at least forty percent.

What do you love about the Australian music scene?

The passionate people behind the scenes who give so much to keep the scene going. Also the free beers.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

Driving down the Great Ocean Road with the volume up and the windows down.

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

Our vocals are a bit more in tune. Not much else has changed. And we were always stylish.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

Nick Flynn.

How did you find making your new single “Ladder To The Moon”?

We did a lot of things wrong and got told off a lot.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

A seagull can’t fly to the moon.

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

Colour Dazed.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

An inquisitively-moaned ‘mmmmmmmm…’.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

The one that involved an abandoned Mitre 10 and an ambulance and the cops.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

Let’s do Johnny Marr, Richard Ashcroft and Suede in the Eyes Wide Shut cult mansion.

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

Always dress well and remember the shape of your pants and shoes is the foundation of any outfit.

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2024?

Catching a panther today. Another single dropping in October (a big-energy rock song). A show at The Catfish (Fitzroy) 30 November. But we’re mostly hiding away at Bells Beach grinding out demos and stuff and a few trips up to Melbourne to hit the studio with the best producer in town Aaron Dobos.

Listen to Ladder To The Moon below