Jul 05 2024, 11.05am / Features
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From the moment Christian Zucconi gets on the phone to chat, it’s clear that Grouplove feel a special way about Australia. There’s an excited tone in his voice that travels across the world. It’s the same infectious energy that can be found across the band’s new album Big Mess.
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The band are currently in LA, spending some time in the studio, and preparing for their upcoming tour; appearances at Mountain Sounds in NSW, and Party In The Paddock down in Tassie, alongside headline sideshows in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
“You’re our favourite country to play in the world.” Zucconi offers in his opening serve. “The best show we’ve ever played in our career, or one of the top two I think, happened at Splendour In The Grass.”
But what is it about Australia that has charmed the members of this American indie pop outfit so wholeheartedly? Zucconi reveals that their debut EP was released in Australia through Dew Process, before it was released through a label in America, the other thing is, it’s the energy of the audiences that is hard to beat.
“You guys are just fucking crazy and we’re fucking crazy and something happens when we get in a room. I don’t even know what it is… it’s just like this weird magical thing you can’t really explain.” “You guys just like really good music.”
The upcoming Australian tour will be the first time audiences will be able to hear tracks from the band’s 2017 album Big Mess. The album hit #20 in the ARIA Charts, with ‘Welcome To Your Life’ becoming an unofficial hit of the summer. Big Mess is an album release that has seen the band elevate their status across the world. Zucconi explains that they’re playing bigger venues now than they ever have. “Especially in the states, we sold out these crazy spots we never dreamed of selling out. We’re at a really good point right now.” “We’re just plugging along and evolving as we go and always getting better and always growing as artists.”
It’s like the rock record, the grunge rock record that we wanted to make since we were 13 years old. Just strong, raw, fucking rock and roll.
[ Christian Zucconi ]
After releasing the companion EP Little Mess last year, Grouplove already have their sights set on the future. “We’re kinda onto the next one now” Zucconi explains. “We’re already in the studio and writing the next one and we’re fucking so excited about it.” “[I’m] really excited about what’s coming out from the sessions.” The band are currently in LA, creating the next album. Grouplove, never the band to stand in one place, are looking to bring in some classic influences for their next release. “It’s like the ‘rock’ record.” Zucconi reveals. “The grunge rock record that we wanted to make since we were 13 years old. Just strong, raw, fucking rock and roll.” It’s not just the sound that’s getting tweaked, but the roles. Keyboardist and singer Hannah Hooper will be taking on a more significant singing role. “She’s discovered this part of herself that she never knew existed,” Zucconi says. “It’s this amazing lower registered voice that’s much more her … [it] makes the hair on your neck stand up.”
Grouplove diehards will be relieved to hear about Hooper’s singing voice improving. The band were forced to cancel their Australian tour and Falls Festival appearances in 2016, due to strict doctors orders in regards to the singer/keyboardist’s vocal cords. “I’ve been doing everything in my power to get out there and do these shows with you guys, but right now this is completely out of my control” Hooper wrote in a press release. “My vocal cords will heal, but the only way that is going to happen is if I am silent for the next 4-6 weeks.”
Zucconi confirms that Hooper is back and better than ever. “She’s going to be the most bad ass singer in rock this year, I swear man” says Zucconi.
Luckily, for Australian fans, it won’t be long before we get to hear some of this new material from Grouplove. The band is dying to try out some new material, and down under seems like the perfect place to do it. “I know it’s not a good thing to play too many new songs. You know, we have got to play the ones people are expecting to hear too, but we are gonna definitely sneak them in somehow.”
For those that miss out, never fear—the new music from Grouplove is on the horizon. It might even be sooner than you think. “Our goal that we have is for it to come out next year like around this time.” Zucconi says. “January 2019. That would be a fucking dream if we could do that.”
