A stoner pop, boogie psychedelia band who lean heavily into throwback surf cult imagery, indie groovers Babe Rainbow have been doing their own thing for close to a decade.
Formed in and around Byron Bay in 2014, the quartet have released five studio albums; their most recent being 'The Organic Band' in October 2022.They recently released their newest EP 'Fresh As A Head Of Lettuce', which features the single 'Super Ego'.
Fresh from overseas adventures and ahead of a number of Australian festival appearances – the free, all-ages SPRINGTIME festival (Gold Coast) that runs 1-3 September and Wanderer Festival (Sapphire Coast) that runs 29 September to 1 October – frontman Angus Dowling sits down for a chat about new music, making a kids album and hanging with Steph Gilmore.
The band toured the US last recently; how were the vibes? Any stories you can share from the road?
Totally groovy, next level. So stoked to be back in September. There was a hilarious incident involving a 3am calzone in Boulder Springs, but meeting and chilling with Robby Patterson was definitely a sick highlight.
'Super Ego' is the band's newest release; how does it bookmark the group's new EP 'Fresh As A Head Of Lettuce'?
Umm, well it wasn't my choice as the first single but everybody has been super nice in their feedback online about it. I think track three of the new EP ['Paradise Garage'] is where the very festival vibes are at. So fun to play live, they all are.
The evolution of 'Super Ego'; how did the song come to life?
We were at a studio in Brooklyn and all our friends were out; there was this sick brewery upstairs with the best beer and cool breeze. Just sorta played that riff and snap! Everybody had their own inputs, especially with the lyrics. We're like a super dope Japanese mixtape. Blame it on the thought.
You guys have been prolific releasing a studio album once a year 2018-2022; can we expect more new Babe Rainbow material to flow in 2023 (post the Lettuce EP release)?
Definitely. We're doing a kids album atm but it's still super groovy.
The creative process for Babe Rainbow; do you have general process of bringing new tunes/ material into the fold or is each their own landscape that develop individually?
Yeah, we pretty much just catch a good mood around at the studio and move from something small like a bass riff or a cool, old drum machine pattern or just some old ag farmer talking on a podcast over the top of a cool, old drum machine pattern.
The band is nearing the tenth anniversary of the group's formation; looking back what have been a couple of surreal moments you never imagined getting to experience?
Wow ten years that's insanity. I think we’re only just starting to hit a flow. I think it took us ten years to work out what our roles were or something. Love slow jazz.
Surfing in China at that Greenroom Festival was awesome, we chilled with Steph Gilmore at Trestles last year before she won her eighth world championship, which was also awesome. We all still have the same suits we bought at this tiny shop in Paris during our first ever trip; the jacket still sort of fits lol!
Looking ahead, is the plan to keep writing and releasing music, plus touring the globe for as long as the group can envisage?
Yeah, I really want to be one of those really old guys at the surf contests carrying a few harmonicas in case somebody's up for a blues jam, the possibilities are endless.
On that note, are there any side projects within the band you'd like to highlight?
Our gorgeous superstar bestie Luca has a few sick side projects, MADONE is his main one atm – definitely look into it. Cool Breeze will probably do a solo record one day and it will be gorgeous, but it will probably make me sad.
Jords from Bleeding Knees Club used to be our manager –pretty sure their about to release their comeback album and tour all next year and the year after that, which is full-legend status.
The band have a festival date locked in playing Wanderer Festival on the Sapphire Coast (southern NSW) later in the year; the line-up is tasty and the event location is sublime; looking forward to it?
Most beautiful beaches outside of Ballina that's for sure.
We have been down there surfing so many times but never played anywhere along that coast. We once broke down in Mallacoota for a week in Elliot's grandma's RV and we had to hitch to the train and got into Melbourne right before the show.
Life on the road with The Babe Rainbow; is there a member who organises the rest of the group to do little side trips when travelling around (especially overseas)? Or is it more about getting to the gig, playing the show, getting to the next town and repeating?
Keep the future open, everyone is the tour manager in Babe Rainbow but nobody has more adventurous ideas than anybody else I'd say.
Everyone wants to try swim anywhere it's possible. When we were in Boulder, Colorado, the morning after the hilarious incident involving the calzone we jumped in this frosted mountain stream; it was so cold it was seriously cold, totally took your breath away. Is anything colder than ice?
Laird Hamilton seems like a super-hectic dude to train with – we're all into him.
Given the amount of travel you have experienced, what are a couple of go-to tips to survive life on the road?
Drink plenty of water, eat as much as you can when it's good, don't smoke cigarettes or try not to, drink Palomas and Mexican beer only. Stay grateful. Be here now.
The Babe Rainbow playlist; who are some artists you're currently streaming, digging, grooving to?
We all have really different taste – it's one of the things I love the most about our boys; Elliot's digging lots of Beiber and he loves Kid Laroi. I really like Gomez again – it reminds me of my dad, and King Gizzard.
Jack is probably listening to some super-deep forest house or Marina Allen. Miles is listening to Twerps cos Kyle put it on in the van and their bro-ing out totally about it. I think he's mates with the singer in good morning, new Allah-Las demos are sounding awesome.
Thanks for your time; anything else you'd like to add?
Thanks for cruising :)))) Angus.
Babe Rainbow join BENEE, Matt Corby, Bag Raiders, grentperez and many more at the free, all-ages SPRINGTIME festival (Gold Coast) that runs 1-3 September. Babe Rainbow then join The Jungle Giants, Kevin Morby, Haiku Hands, Kim Churchill, Montaigne, Ocean Alley, Thelma Plum, Urthboy and many more at Wanderer Festival (Sapphire Coast), which runs 29 September to 1 October.
