Melbourne up-and-comers For Our Hero have grown up a little with their latest EP, Young Wolves.
The band’s fourth release offers themes of intense and desperate hunger; whether for young love, dreams or simply for survival. Frontman Jay Taplin explains: “It's all about chasing dreams, chasing love and living in the middle of the moment. The title track, ‘Young Wolves’ is about being with someone when it doesn't really seem right, and it’s almost so wrong, it’s right; kind of like forbidden love.”
Jay says the EP has been well received by fans, despite its more commercial sound compared to earlier releases. “I think artists are fearful of how people will receive a new record,” he says, “especially if it’s different to what you've done before. Compared to our other stuff, it definitely has more of a pop sensibility to it. We all knew it was time to step outside the circle with this record. I’m happy with it and very proud and humbled by the response.”
The discernable American accent in Jay's vocals certainly doesn't hurt the band's commercial chances overseas. Like a foreigner who picks up an American accent from instructional tapes, Jay says the accent in his vocals comes from listening to stacks of American artists. “I mostly listen to American artists like Fallout Boy. An American accent has never been something I’ve really strived for when I sing; it kind of happened naturally.”
Working with The Cab’s Alex DeLeon on the single ‘Take The Night’ was a major source of inspiration for the band. “My brother has been friends with him for almost four years online,” Jay says, “and we finally got to meet him. He had a big show the next day with Maroon 5, so just to know that the singer for the main support band for an artist like Maroon 5 was in the studio with us was incredible.”
It might come as a surprise to fans of the band to know that Jay wasn’t always as confident and engaging a person as he is now. He says he has music to thank for that. “To get up on stage is always just a step forward for my confidence and growth to be honest. I was always a really nervous guy and I used to be really overweight early on in high school, so I guess that modest, shy part of me always remained. Music is a really special thing.”
For Our Hero Tour Dates
Sun Aug 11 — The Old Museum (Brisbane)Sat Aug 17 — HQ (Leederville, WA)
Thu Aug 22 — Next @ Colonial Hotel (Melbourne)
Sat Aug 24 — Wrangler Studios (Melbourne)
Sun Aug 25 — The Prom (Adelaide)
Sat Aug 31 — The Lair @ Metro Theatre (Sydney)
Young Wolves is available now.
