Melbourne band One More Weekend recently released their newest single, the hypnotically rollicking 'Aunty Meredith' – a song about confronting your inner demons – that is their first release of new music in almost two years.
Originally announcing themselves by winning the Best Band gong at Knox Australia's Big Break Festival a few years back, they released their debut album 'We Used To...' in 2019.With a number of singles released in the first half of the 2020s alongside regular gigging that has included supporting the likes of Bec Sandridge, Skies Collide, Reece Mastin and others, the quartet's current song explores the tension between escapism and self-reckoning as they dive deep into the human psyche.
"This one's about that thin line between freedom and losing control," lead singer Connor Dougan. "It's personal, intense, and we didn't want to sugarcoat any of it."
Connor is joined in the band by his brother Leigh Dougan (bass, backing vocals), Tim 'Bones' Aslett (lead guitar, backing vocals) and Jayson Riley (drums).
With an upcoming single launch show in Melbourne next week (at The Catfish on 12 July), One More Weekend have an east-coast tour in the works (dates tbc) ahead of returning to the studio to commence work on their sophomore album.
"We will be following this release up with some city and country shows around Victoria and the east coast, and then it's back into the studio to start recording work on our new album," Connor says. Here, Connor shares a few insights into the band.
Who is One More Weekend... We're a rock band from Melbourne's east. We've been going for ten years now and don't plan to stop anytime soon.
We sound like... A mix of the 1975, The Maine and the heavier side of The Vines.
Our first gig was... All crammed in under a staircase at a now shutdown venue in Healesville, legendarily known as the Grind n Groove. Our drummer played the whole night with his head leaning to the left.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision... Took a couple of months but when we all mentioned it on the list, we just sort of knew.
In the studio we usually... Try and buckle down and get our best takes.
If we could tour with anyone... It would be Yungblud. I think right now, the way he holds himself is just proof that he's in this for deeper things, real things and it would be amazing to be a part of it.
Social media is... Worse than money.
My favourite app at the moment is... Notes, it's always been Notes. Best app ever. Runs my life.
To date, our most embarrassing moment was the time... Bones (our lead guitarist) tried to get away from the cops by taking off over a field, but they just decided he was way too much paperwork and left him, hahaha!
Life on the road can be... Hard. Luckily, we all have homes to come back to. Unfortunately we still have to pay for them while we're away!
If you'll have us on your bill, all we ask is that our rider contains... Good times (drinks) and great music. . . Oh! And dinner. Dinner can be good.
The scariest scenario we've found ourselves in was... When our tour bus' tyre exploded on the freeway. After a scary stop, we couldn't get the damn thing off. Made us very late for a gig, but to the venue's credit we got on and played later.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be spokesperson of the band... Gotta be James Blunt. If he takes the piss out of himself like that, I can't wait to see what he says about us!
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? Probably Queenstown, NZ. Just feels like a whole lotta fun.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Justin Hawkins, Yungblud and Oli Sykes; just three of the coolest dudes rollin' around right now I reckon.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? I'd put bread in the toaster for ya!
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? Love your furry friends, always.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Wild Turkey and cola.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Today, got one at home.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Cooking. . . but I'm getting better at it!
Do you have any phobias... Yeah, I'm scared of the deep sea and being eaten alive.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? Hell yeah, probably 'The Traitors'.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? Bones. Gonna put pineapple on his pizza under all the cheese.
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? HSP from Montrose Charcoal Chicken; the guy always calls me darling too, so that's a bonus.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? I'm probably Frodo; annoying as hell, but couldn't have destroyed the ring without the other three hobbits.
Last show you binge-watched? Just watched 'Four Seasons' with my wife. I think the twists were unexpected but also possible.
One More Weekend launch 'Aunty Meredith' at The Catfish (Melbourne) on 12 July.
