A band blending soul, funk, Motown and yacht rock within a rock soundscape driven by grooves, Adelaide's Wanderers return after a three-year hiatus, with the nostalgia-drenched 'Dancing With Yourself'.
With three EPs to their name, appearances at a host of festivals (from WOMAD to Woodford), sharing stages with Gang Of Youths, Middle Kids, and Angus & Julia Stone, and overseas experiences performing in shipping containers (Berlin) and basement clubs (New York), Wanderers are the secret sauce you've been looking for.
A groove that harkens back to the golden era of AM radio with timeless instrumentation and a vocal hook that simply demands your best boogie feet, 'Dancing With Yourself' is the first taste of Wanderers forthcoming debut studio album. "This one goes out to anyone tired of being someone else's life of the party," declares the band.
With a new era of music underway, Wanderers continue to fuse nostalgia with innovation, delivering tracks that are at once timeless and fresh – inviting fans both old and new to join them on the dance floor of self-discovery.
Who is Wanderers... A bunch of mates with a shared love of writing soulful, melodic tunes and with a big ol back beat. Wanderers is a band that loves to get to work in the studio, but thrives onstage.
We sound like... The records you'd sneak from your dad's shelf while he's out. Think Earth, Wind & Fire, ELO, Steely Dan, Led Zeppelin and Hendrix, with a bit of Vulfpeck or Parcels in the mix. Some songs lean on guitar, others on keys, but it always comes back to strong grooves, big vocal hooks and melodies. When it all clicks, it just sounds like Wanderers.
Our first gig was... A Monday open mic night at the Grace Emily. Three of us jumped onstage, hardly knowing each other and made up some grooves. Soon after we were recording together, and our first proper show was a sold-out EP launch at Jive in Adelaide months later.
When did you settle on the group’s name? We started out as Dusty Lee's Wasted Wanderers, then Dusty's ego shrunk so we shortened it to Wasted Wanderers. Then people kept thinking we'd be a punk band, or be completely wasted all the time, so that didn't feel right either and we dropped 'Wasted' and became Wanderers. The name stuck, and it suits us – and we do roam around, around, around!
In the studio, we usually... Start by playing live as a band to capture the energy for the foundations. We'll do a few takes, workshop sections, and sometimes write new parts or lyrics on the spot.
From there it can turn into a long process of layering and refining, like on 'Dancing With Yourself'. It's part instinct, part careful sculpting. Sometimes Dusty writes the lyrics multiple times later in the process until he's happy; that's what takes the longest.
Social media is... Something we've learned to enjoy. It gives us control over how our art is presented, without needing anyone else's filter.
It used to feel like a chore, and quite forced initially tbh, but now we know it's a tool we can use to share our music directly the way we want it to be perceived. It does takes a lot of time and energy but hell, bands used to hand out flyers on the street and have do their own poster runs all over the place. So really, we're on easy street.
My favourite app at the moment is... ChatGPT. Not to create any artistic shortcuts or anything like that, but as a way to organise ideas. I even planned a whole holiday while driving just by talking to it, which made that time way more productive. I do most of my thinking while driving. Great for a brain dump!
Life on the road can be... Full of contrasts. Some nights it's student accommodation with cold showers, other nights it's a packed festival with a nice hotel room waiting. You learn not to be too precious. It's ego-levelling and ego-boosting all at once.
If you'll have us on your bill, our rider contains... Fresh fruit, gluten-free crackers and cheese, a few beers for the band, a bottle of Grenache for Dusty and plenty of water. Also, we'd like four dozen northern Atlantic Ocean oysters shucked on site, with a bowl of saffron on the side. Normal band stuff, 😂!
The most scary scenario we've found ourselves in was... Once we played in a blizzard at Perisher until our hands went numb. Warming them up afterwards was agony. Another time in San Francisco, all our gear was stolen and we had to finish the tour with a Casio keyboard in place of a Nord. Not scary, but definitely unforgettable.
What celebrity would you love as a spokesperson? Probably a comedian like James Acaster, who would derail every interview but make them memorable. Bill Burr would be another good pick. Together they'd be chaos in the best way.
If you had to live abroad, where would you choose? Saint-Paul-de-Vence in the south of France. It's not a city but a small commune inland from the Riviera. Perfect for soaking up the surroundings and writing songs.
Three people you'd invite to dinner? Jimmy Page, so I can ask him about the meaning of my tattoo (his symbol from 'Zeppelin 4'); Gordon Ramsay, just to watch him critique the dishes; and our bassist Milush, who makes friends with anyone and would tie the whole night together.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us... Simple, but gluten-free pasta with lean beef mince and sauce. My daughter's favourite meal, and after years of Tuesday night dinners I've got it down to an art.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? Definitely a dog lover. My family bred Papillons when I was a kid, but next time I'd like a big dog like a Labrador.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... As you didn't specify what kind've case, I'd like a suitcase with a million dollars in it.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Every day, when I drive straight past it. Wonderful view through the window. I kid. I frequently see the inside of it as well.
What's the one chore you dislike most is... Cleaning windows. No matter what I do, I can never get them streak-free.
Do you have any phobias? Cotton balls. I can't stand the texture, they give me the absolute ick.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? Back in my 20s I would have loved a 'Ninja Warrior' or 'Gladiator'-style obstacle course show. These days I'd probably go for one of those goofy game shows where you get knocked into the water.
Best local takeaway for a midnight feed? Kintaro sushi, sashimi every day.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Gru from 'Despicable Me'. Gru's gruff on the outside, big-hearted underneath, with a quirky side and a loyal crew.
Last show you binge-watched? 'Beef' with Ali Wong. The dark humour and drama had me hooked, and I'm hoping they make a second season.
