The Jungle Giants newest release, their fourth studio album 'Love Signs', drops today four years since the Brisbane indie-rock group of Sam Hales, Cesira Aitken, Andrew Dooris, and Keelan Bijker released previous album 'Quiet Ferocity'.
For the first time in the group's career, 'Love Signs' is their first album that was written, recorded, and produced solely by the band's lead vocalist and songwriter, Sam Hales."I've been using production more as a songwriting tool for years," Sam explains. "It felt good to challenge myself by wearing that responsibility and watching the reaction.
"I'm definitely a perfectionist and I move at my own pace, so I don't think I could do it any other way. I think this is the style of how it is now.
"It's a very positive record and I really felt all that positivity as I was making it. Hopefully there's infectious positivity in there that other people feel."
Sam feels this record is a continuation from their 2017 album, 'Quiet Ferocity', but taken to a completely new level. "I've been a lot more playful with this record in a lot more other ways than I have before. Being able to produce at the same time gave me that platform to just try a bunch of more playful things.
"It's a big leap into the unknown. I feel like with every record I need to push myself to these risky places because it makes for better music and a more expressive environment.
"This is something I've been working towards for years. I just can't wait to see how people react to it. Once it clicks with people, there's going to be a real positive vibe at the shows. It's happy, self-lovey music.
"I'm so excited to share it with the fans, to be able to play it live, and watch people learn the songs."
Part of the album's promotion sees the band embark on a national tour, kicking off in early September, that will see them supported by electronic maestros Bag Raiders.
This will be The Jungle Giants biggest tour they've done to date. From the songwriting to the live performances, Sam emphasises the band will be taking the new live show to new heights. "We want to go extra big this time," Sam explains.
"We're going to put everything into it because it just feels like it's been forever – so we're going to make it a big celebration.
"[There's] a bunch of dream venues, like Riverstage in Brisbane. I still can't believe we're going to be playing there. And we're playing [at the] Hordern Pavilion in Sydney.
"It's given us a chance to go a little more crazy on the production. We want to give something that people will be able to keep in their minds for a long time.
"Because we haven't been able to do it in so long, we're going to absolutely bring the fire. All the songs translate really well to the live stage, so fans can definitely expect the 'danciest' show ever."
The Jungle Giants 2021 Tour Dates
Sat 24 Aug - Splendour XR (7pm EST)Sat 7 Aug - The Inn Hotel (Geelong)* DJ set
Fri 3 Sep - The Goods Shed (Hobart)
Sat 4 Sep - Sidney Myer Music Bowl (Melbourne)
Fri 10 Sep - Thebarton Theatre (Adelaide)
Sat 11 Sep - Fremantle Arts Centre
Sat 18 Sep - The Riverstage (Brisbane)
Fri 24 Sep - Hordern Pavilion (Sydney)
Sat 2 Oct - Grapevine Gathering @ Sandalford Estate (Swan Valley)* sold out
Wed 6 Oct - Dream Machine Festival (Whitsundays)* DJ set - sold out
Sat 9 Oct - Grapevine Gathering @ Roche Estate (Hunter Valley)* sold out
Sat 16 Oct - Grapevine Gathering @ Rochford Wines (Yarra Valley)* sold out
