Kickin’ the habit – An interview with JUNGLE BREED

• Thanks so much for the interview. Let’s trace back to your personal roots, your earliest inspirations, and influences that drove you to become musicians and form a band

All three of us have been brought up on a very healthy relationship with music. It’s always seemed so natural that we would create music and when we all met it made sense to make it together. Our parents have always supported our passion to just go for what we want.

• How did you meet? What were the trigger factors that lead to forming Jungle Breed?

Isabella and I met at school in year 8, in our later high school years, we had more free periods and were more casual with skipping classes to meet up in the always empty and underfunded music rooms. We met Angie a few years later at a Murlocs show, we immediately hit it off, she’s always the best hang and that’s what it’s always come down to.

• Your sound is minimal and direct with a distinctive melodic flair, based on relentless guitar riffs and beautifully emotional and urgent dual vocals, did you have already an idea of what it would be or has been more a natural process? 

I know at least for myself (Lincoln) I’ve been a sucker for short and energetic hardcore punk, however, growing up bored in the suburbs I’ve always clinged to the sweet beautiful moments of adolescence and self-discovery that I wanted to capture on this album.

• Can you tell me something about your lyrics, how do you write to them and where do you draw inspiration? 

Each of us will bring an idea to the table, sometimes it’s unpacked collaboratively other times it’s written and good to go like a burst of energy.

I’ll always have a notebook on hand and I tend to always be writing about my experiences and perspectives as well as articulating with our slang, culture, and political climate. I think the song ‘Swim Away’ possibly best reflects that. Yeah, listen out for that one.

• Could you give us a deep insight into your debut’s title, influences, and recording process that have brought to the final result?

Most of the songs were conceived in the time that I was living on Victoria St in Richmond, my experiences and what I learned from that street shaped a few of the songs immensely. For those that don’t know, Lennox St is opposite Melbourne‘s only safe injecting room. It’s currently saving lives and giving people a daily reminder to seek help and giving them the support to get the help that they wouldn’t otherwise have. This current government is always looking for ways to close it but the truth is, it’s never been safer, the residents are co-existing and syringes stopped showing up so often. Other songs were written about themes of alienation, purpose and mundane sickness.

We recorded at Bush HQ in Coburg, Adam Smith who recorded most of the songs, was really great to work with capturing the live sessions we had in that room throughout 2019. Other bits and pieces were done in my room by Erik Scerba who mixed and mastered it all. They’re both fantastic artists.

• Do you enjoy playing live and touring? What are your highlights and lowlights so far? Do you remember your first gig? 

Yeah, we love it, we all love each other a lot and always get caught giving each other cheeky smiles while we play. I’m particularly excited to be heading up to Beechworth next week for our show there.

Yeah lmao, it was at a shitty pool hall in Lilydale, we freaked out for twenty minutes trying to figure out how to play and sing at the same time.

• What about your hook up with Roolette label?

Carsten and Kahlia are really hardworking and they just put out what they love, they are onto something. Their releases are so consistent, their approach is so authentic. We are so thrilled to be working with them.

We spelt ‘Wasterr’ after our friends’ band Wasterr, they were one of the 1st bands they signed on the label.

Issy first met Carsten at a show where he brought it up “Oh you’re THE isabella, of Jungle Breed, you have a song called wasterr, I manage a band called wasterr”. I feel like most people get introduced to Carsten in this fashion and we love it.

• Do you remember the first record you bought? 

I recall it was the ‘Glorcross’ LP from Good Morning. I always loved the recording style of it.

Issy: The Wax Chattels self-titled LP, I saw them at the Barwon Club in Geelong and it absolutely blew my mind.

Angie: “Horses” by Patti Smith my dad got me onto her and I’ve just always loved that record.

• What are you listening to at the moment?

I’m fucking with Cool Sounds heaps lately. Their latest album proves that they can’t write an even remotely average song. it’s all bangers.

Issy: The latest Clairo album I love it because it’s so softly spoken that appears mundane but its synths and intricate beats shine in such an unexpected way for a pop album.

Angie: New Sampa the Great hits hard! Such great energy, and so many bangers all across that album.

• Which bands would you wish to make a cover version of?

Lizzo

• Apart from your tape launch next Jan 25th, what would you like the year 2020 will bring to the band?

We’re already working on new songs and if you don’t hear some of it at the show, we’ll have it on its way pretty soon to Bandcamp

• Any parting words?

Acknowledge where you stand. Love your mothers.

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