A Quick Chat with Exiles

"I’ll Try" steps away from your trademark intensity and ventures into more intimate, reflective territory. What does this track reveal about EXILES that fans might not have seen before?

Josh: Most of our songs start with a much more relaxed vibe during the demo stage. Once we get into the room with the band, they tend to intensify and become more heavy-driven. However, songs like I’ll Try and Rinse/Repeat naturally stayed in an intimate setting because it felt right for them. Funny enough, I usually try to drown out the intimacy with a big RAWK song…

Oscar: It shows our fans that we have depth and aren’t afraid to be vulnerable at times.

The song highlights your growth as songwriters. Can you share any behind-the-scenes moments or challenges you faced while creating this more nuanced track?

Oscar: This track has gone through many iterations over the past couple of years. It was initially brought to the group in late 2022, where we fleshed it out and began test-driving it at live shows. That version was much more subdued, and we quickly realized it wasn’t “finished” in our eyes. We took it back to the drawing board and eventually shaped it into what you hear on the record.

The biggest challenge was that this style of writing was new for us at the time. It took us a while to find our footing and figure out exactly what we wanted to say and how we wanted to express it.

As the final single before the album release, "I’ll Try" seems to set a distinct tone. What made you decide to close out the singles with such a personal and introspective piece?

Oscar:Going into this release, it was really important for us to showcase the diversity in our sound. Sure, we’re loud and rocking, but that’s not all we can do. We wanted to show listeners that we know when to bring it down a couple of notches and be more vulnerable. I’ll Try was the first song of this kind that we wrote, so it felt important to showcase it. We’re all very proud of it.

Josh: It’s a banger.

Your debut album captures the raw energy of your live shows. What was the most important aspect of your live sound that you wanted to preserve in the studio?

Josh: Our songs are very drum- and bass-driven. We worked hard to replicate Oscar’s drumming and Jordan’s live tones on the record. My vocal takes were raw and as close to how I sing them live as possible.

The recording process was intense, with just four days in the studio. How did that time pressure impact the energy and spontaneity of the tracks on Waiting for Romance?

Oscar:The whole experience was very “fly by the seat of your pants.” While the songs were mostly finished, we spent a significant portion of the sessions writing new material and rearranging existing tracks. You might think this would be stressful, but it all just fell into place.

Having someone as experienced as Alex really helped. We all had a shared vision, which kept us working toward a common goal. If anything, the limited studio time added a sense of urgency to the record—especially in the vocals. It’s something we might not have captured if we had more time.

You’ve mentioned influences like The Strokes and Viagra Boys. How do those inspirations manifest in the album, and how have you made the sound uniquely your own?

Josh: Those two bands are a big influence for us. Everyone in the band loves them, so it’s natural for their sound to come through in our music. There was also a lot of inspiration from Fontaines D.C., Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Arctic Monkeys—your classic go-to indie bands.

Jordan and I grew up during the 2000s indie scene and, for years, tried to avoid being labeled as part of a trend (even though we definitely were, ha!). Now, we’ve embraced what we know and love without shame. It’s been a great progression for us.

Working with Alex Markwell, known for his work with The Delta Riggs and Mark Ronson, must have been a game-changer. What did his expertise bring to the album’s production?

Oscar: We’ve known Alex for years—he’s actually Josh’s brother-in-law, and I play live drums for The Riggs—so working with him was a no-brainer. Beyond being a good friend, we all respect his production skills.

The process in the studio was seamless with Alex. He brought great ideas without being pushy, and his songwriting expertise was invaluable, especially for the tracks that weren’t fully fleshed out. He really understood the vision we were aiming for and helped bring it to life.

Josh: Ha! I’ve been trying to get out of the family biz for a while—it’s tough when he’s the best in the business. P.S. Al, can you give me back the salad tosser I lent you three years ago?

The title Waiting for Romance suggests themes of longing and connection. How did those themes shape the lyrical and sonic direction of the album?

Josh: The album title came to mind after the record was finished. I wrote most of the lyrics just before and after I met my fiancée. I’m a sucker for classic romantic love lyrics wrapped in a heavy riff—Phil Lynott was the best at that.

With a debut album, there’s often a desire to make a strong statement. What message or mood do you want listeners to take away after hearing Waiting for Romance?

Josh: Debut albums are always the best albums. It sucks that we’ll never be able to write an album this good again.

We finished this album with the intent for listeners to experience it from start to finish. The songs are crafted to flow into one another and take you on a journey. Or, however you want to listen to it—it’s everyone’s now; it can do what it wants.

Your live performances are already making waves on the Australian and international scenes. How do you envision Waiting for Romance translating to the stage, and are there any tracks you’re particularly excited to perform live?

Oscar: Funnily enough, we’re most excited to bring Rinse/Repeat to the stage. We wrote it on the fly during the recording process. Like I’ll Try, it showcases a more delicate and intimate side of the band.

While it stays pretty mellow on the record, we’re working in rehearsals to give it a bit more energy for the stage. We’re pumped for people to hear it!