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Brisbane trash-pop four-piece FeelsClub take us through their new EP ‘A Wave Inevitable’
We take you inside our favourite new albums with the artists who made them. Brisbane trash-pop four-piece Feelsclub take us track-by-track through their new EP ‘A Wave Inevitable’
It’s been more than a year since we last spoke to Brisbane band FeelsClub, and in that time some big changes have seen the band completely evolve. Their latest EP, ‘A Wave Inevitable’ is the result.
The hallmarks of their self-described “trash-pop” sound are still present across the EP, but on each of the six tracks that make up A Wave Inevitable, the band’s deep dive into the experimental is unveiled further.
Dancey beats, catchy hooks, and reflective, honest lyrics are all elements any FeelsClub fans will be familiar with, but now they are presented with a new, gritty tinge.
Much of the release was inspired by and started during the band’s 2019 Japan tour, the trip acting as a catalyst for this new wave of FeelsClub. From battling with imposter syndrome to taking a hard look at the people you surround yourself with, A Wave Inevitable is as much about personal growth for the band’s members as it is a call for self-reflection to every listener.
The change in FeelsClub’s sonic direction comes after a huge 12 months which has seen the band take over festival stages at Yonder, Woodford, Jungle Love, and Mountain Goat Valley Crawl. Add in shows alongside Client Liaison, Confidence Man, Ivey, and Miami Horror, and the now-quartet are ready to unveil their new identity to the world.
In this track-by-track, FeelsClub band members St Jonnie and MKA guide us through a deep dive into An Inevitable Wave, peeling back the curtain and revealing some of the meaning and messages inside every track.
Loaded with social commentary and threaded with an encouraging message about being kind to each other, let’s get to know An Inevitable Wave a little better.
The following article may contain mentions of substance abuse, mental illness, and suicide. Remember, there’s always someone who wants to help. Take the first step and reach out here.
talkTALK
St Jonnie – “In short, this song is about every hard conversation you’ve ever had with someone you love whose opinion disgusts you. Growing up with someone as a hero in your mind, believing who you are is because of what they set as an example, only for them to say some f***ing cooked stuff. I have no proven advice to anyone on how to fix this, time maybe, be patient, but that’s hard when it needs to happen now.”
b)sober
St Jonnie – “While in Japan last year I got my first taste of what being ‘the foreigner’ feels like. I didn’t like it and that shocked me. I had never really processed before in my life, on a level that raw, what being responsible for my actions when under the scope of others in representing my whole culture was like. It also got me realising that I had a responsibility when I got home to be more aware of how my words and image could affect others who might not feel at home in my culture.
“So one night/early morning, I was drunk walking around the streets of Shibuya with the Bladerunner soundtrack in my ears, as I watched the cold rainy city of a future past slowly wake with the sunrise and power on into its ceaseless action. I stood on one of those green footbridges over the roads and just thought, ‘Well this is it. Either I plan a) jump off here because I’m afraid I can’t be any better, or plan b) sober up, pick up my act and get on with my life and be the best person I can be.’ I chose plan b) sober. That was over a year ago and that has been the last time I have honestly considered a thought that dark. I am so happy, not that things are necessarily perfect but that I know things can change.”
Skin
St Jonnie – “The lyrics address the imposter syndrome you can face when you start to try and correct your behaviours. Be it learning to call out your own toxic traits by choice or force, or just learning to understand what your personal boundaries are and asking others to respect them.
“All in all, it can be a very confronting thing. It’s like you have this whole new person trying to fit into and walk around in your old skin. It’s hard when you meet people you used to vibe with and they say something weird that you used to agree with because you lacked perspective and understanding, and then you just feel like, ‘Who even am I? What is under this skin and does it even matter if people still just see and expect the old you?’ Life is weird. Let’s try and be nice to each other and grow.”
HUMINGA
MKA – “The world is moving and a lot of really important stuff is coming to the forefront; creating a path for change. Sonically, we’re trying to frame the fact that it’s so tumultuous right now, but that feeling of unease is something I have felt for my whole life. Being from two cultures, the constant feeling of division, copping racism, it was such a big move to share that reflection with the band and now we’re sharing it with the world.
“I grew up in Australia and only know selective Tagalog words/phrases. Growing up I always hated that I didn’t know the language, it sucks being dragged to mum’s friend’s house or seeing family in Sydney and not knowing what they were all saying. It wasn’t until I went to the Philippines last year that I felt a bit more whole with that side of myself, meeting my HUGE family over there was super grounding, so I was stoked to use Tagalog in a song.”
St Jonnie – “‘Huminga’ is a statement piece for us. It’s about identity. The word Huminga is Tagalog for ‘breathe’ and it’s such a solid, strong word. It speaks out in a very core rhythmic way and it demands to be released. Filipino people have such a long history of overcoming oppression and challenges from dictators seeking to change their way of life and yet time and time again they have risen up and made steps forward; this really spoke to us.
“Looking inwards to MKA’s cultural background and channelling it into a song was such a raw experience. It felt good to help her share part of her identity with our audience. Having MKA’s mum make sure we were using the right word was a funny conversation and to hear how proud she was that we were sharing her culture made us feel like this was a nice step. The song is an absolute tune live and we can’t wait to rip it out once we can all go back to packing out crowds.”
NO PEACE
St Jonnie – “‘NO PEACE’ isn’t a complicated song. Its a f*ck you to anyone on any level who uses their power or influence to oppress another. To anyone who justifies their fears with their own lack of personal agency or as a result of a lack of control over their own life. To any coward who chooses to, instead of bettering their own life, decide they have to bring misery to others. Just be nice to other people. We don’t care if you don’t agree with them. Mind your own business and stop letting identity politics dictate how you see others.”
On You
St Jonnie – “‘On You’ is the callback track to the old FeelsClub. It’s the only one on the whole EP that isn’t some sort of heart-of-hearts reveal on opinions. It’s a self-diss track about how even though I know what I’m meant to do to change, change ain’t easy, so change doesn’t always happen.
“It nearly didn’t make the final cut, but the one time we played it at Mountain Goat Valley Crawl, the last gig before COVID, it went off. So we reworked it to fit a bit better and ran with it.
“It’s a good closing track for the EP. It gives the fans a taste of ‘Hey yeah, we’re still here how you loved us,’ and that also is a side rip at ourselves thematically with the EP that sometimes even though you want and need to change, it isn’t that easy. The wave inevitably comes and goes. Sometimes parts of you wash away, others get left behind and other parts still stick around for better or worse. Till next time, just be nice to each other ok :)”
FeelsClub’s second EP A Wave Inevitable is out now. Listen to it below.
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