After rocking the music scene with their captivating harmonies and driving rhythmic melodies, Sydney indie pop-rock quintet Dande And The Lion are set to make their mark at Australian Music Week in Sydney this November.
Dande And The Lion released their debut EP 'Audley's Talking' in March and have been making themselves the talk of the industry with their live shows.
Before Dande And The Lion perform at the AMW showcase, they answer our questions about their music, live shows and what's coming next for the intrepid ensemble.
Which one of you is Dande?
Good question! We'll leave that up to you to decide. I’m sure it will become more apparent as you join us on our musical journey. Haha.
You released your debut EP 'Audley's Talking' back in March; were you happy with the response to the album?
Yes, we weren't really expecting much at all so we were really happy to see that a couple of the singles from that EP made the Top 10 in the triple j's Unearthed charts and got radio air play on a few stations across the country.
We just wanted to get our sound out there with that EP, so didn't have any expectations. A lot more thought and deliberation has gone into our next EP, which we just finished recording.
Being your first record, did you have a specific creative vision in mind?
We wanted it to be a little introduction to the band at that point, a snapshot in time. The creative vision was loose and playful. We wanted the record to be as raw as possible and I think that definitely came out in the mix.
Bianca wrote all the tracks on 'Audley's Talking' and so we were mindful to give her as much creativity and liberty as possible when finalising the EP, and also balancing that with what the rest of the band were happy with.
What else have you guys been up to since the EP release?
We've been very busy with shows across NSW since our sold-out launch party in March, and we have the rest of this year pretty much booked up with shows too. We have also been back in the studio and just finished recording our next EP, which will be more of an introduction to each member of the band and our writing styles.
Four of us are the main songwriters on this EP; you'll see the diversity and creative flare come through in each track as well as across the EP as a whole. We are super excited about this release as it's very different to our debut EP.
How are the band feeling about performing at Australian Music Week?
We are all extremely excited. We haven't really had time to put much thought into it as we've been playing so many shows, pretty much every week for the past two months. Now that we're getting closer to AMW, we're starting to get really pumped for it.
What was the application process for AMW like, any moments of nervous anticipation?
Not really. Abbey and Bianca take care of any applications, and they don't really tell the rest of us what they've applied for so it's always a surprise when we get notified.
I think we have a really good system with this, as it means we're not worried or focused on the outcome. Rather, we're enjoying the experience and just riding the wave as we go. I guess that way it limits any disappointment or feeling that we need to change our creative outlet due to external pressures or perspectives.
How will you be making the most of the showcase as well as the conference in general?
We want to see as many bands as possible. A few of them we've played with before, so we're looking forward to catching up with them and there are many we haven't seen so we're excited to support our peers.
We are also keen to sit in on the conference and attend some of the talks. There is so much to learn about the music industry and this is a brilliant way to maximise such a great opportunity to challenge our current thinking and learn new things.
How is the band preparing for AMW?
We typically prepare by syncing in with each other before the show to get into the mindset of making sure we remember our main goals, which is to have fun and enjoy the experience.
As a Sydney band, do you feel like you have a lot to prove at AMW, especially to the interstate acts?
No, not at all. We are who we are. We came together as a band for a reason and we’re having so much fun thriving off this energy that we're creating, especially when we play live.
What can audiences expect from Dande And The Lions onstage at Australian Music Week?
Without meaning to be cryptic, our shows are really something you just have to come to, be a part of, and have that experience with us.
What's next for Dande And The Lion; any releases or shows we should be taking note of?
We will be releasing our first single from our new EP in the summer, so keep a lookout for that – follow us on social media so you don't miss it. We also have a few shows lined up in Sydney and Melbourne over the next couple of months, which we’re really excited about so you can definitely catch us at one of those.
Dande And The Lion showcase at Australian Music Week (Sydney), which takes place 7-11 November.
Dande And The Lion Tour Dates
Fri 16 Nov - Boney (Melbourne)Sat 17 Nov - Swamplands Bar (Melbourne)
Sun 18 Nov - The Workers Club (Melbourne)
Thu 22 Nov - Marlborough Hotel (Sydney)
Fri 30 Nov - Station Bar (Blue Mountains)
Wed 19 Dec - Leadbelly (Sydney)
Fri 21 Dec - Hamilton Station Hotel (Newcastle)
