A Quick Chat With The Dandys
The Dandys have just been added to the Splendour lineup, and have dropped their hard-hitting, razor-sharp single ‘Smile More’. The Brisbane/Meanjin-based punk/alt-rock outfit have been making a huge impact over the past year and continues to check off massive milestones. With a fierce and unapologetic attitude, The Dandys tackle the urgent subject of sexual assault in a ferocious and empowering manner. By merging catchy melodies with a profound message, The Dandys aim to raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and challenge societal norms. We caught up with the band to find out more about the track, their influences and more.
Can you tell us what this track means to you and what you want people to take away from it?
This track discusses some tough topics around sexual assault and toxic masculinity however we wanted to discuss it in an accessible way where people can feel empowered, heard or just let out some of the frustrations they may have around the subjects. With the chorus deliberately being a slew of unsavoury phrases that get thrown around far too often, we want to create a safe space for people to be able to scream these and take the power away from the words. I guess that's our goal with the song. Open the dialogue, empower people and draw attention to the topic in a non-accusatory way.
Who are some of your influences and why?
Mads: Courtney Barnett, Noah Dillon Felix: Violent Soho, King Krule Henry: Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Idles
What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?
Pretty much every song has a different process. This song though, it was the first song we wrote for the band. Mads brought the track to the group Felix, Henry and Nick put their parts together to create the end product. In the studio, we collectively re-worked the track until we felt like there was nothing left to get rid of and nothing more to say with the track, we went through the recording process several times to land on a version we were happy with.
What do you think makes a great song?
Still trying to figure that out, I guess if it makes you feel something, it's pretty close. Cliche but true haha
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Mads: Alex Turner, his songwriting always sucks me in, would love to have a beer with him Felix: Mac DeMarco he seems like he'd be fun to hang out with. Henry: Josh Homme, he seems like he'd be fun to work with and not afraid to break the rules
When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?
Mads: Taxidermy Felix: Restoring model trains Henry: Painting Warhammer figurines
Who are some local bands we should check out?
Platonic Sex, Tjaka (Felix's other band, they're incred), Bean Magazine, Flamingo Blonde, Square... there's so much talent in Brissy at the moment. You just need to get around it.
Winter or summer and why?
Mads: Winter, being sweaty is not a vibe Felix: Winter, I love to be cosy. Henry: Winter - "You can always rug up but ya can't rug down."
What else do you have planned for 2023?
We are lucky enough to be added to the Splendour in the Grass 2023 lineup so that's exciting! Aside from that, we've got another single and our debut EP Sex and Feuds to be released very very soon. Hopefully finish off the year with an East Coast tour and a big ol' hometown show in Brissy to top it all off!
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