A Quick Chat with The Moving Stills

‘Telephone’ feels like a fresh direction for The Moving Stills. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the track and the themes you wanted to explore?

When we were writing Telephone, we wanted to lean into some early 2000’s indie music. We were channeling some flavours from artists like Phoenix and Two Door Cinema Club in parts. We wanted to make something with a solid pulse and energy. 

The song captures the balance between upbeat energy and introspective lyrics. How did you approach blending those contrasting elements in the creative process?

We commonly write songs based on our own experiences. Sometimes you don't even realise that, until you’ve finished the song. Once it's done you can put the puzzle together, and you sometimes realise why and where the energy and direction for the lyrics came from. We like to play around with all types of rhythms, grooves and tempos depending on what the song feels that it needs, but for this track, we just got in the room and chose to make something upbeat and energetic. 

You’ve mentioned that ‘Telephone’ reflects on burnout and the addictive nature of modern technology. Was there a particular moment or experience that sparked this idea?

We wanted to reflect on the feeling and idea that we need to be always available/reachable. We often consider the amount of time we spend using our phones, and the impact that has, so we thought it could be a good thing to write about. 

How did your sonic influences, like Phoenix and other indie-dance artists, shape the vibe and production of this single?

We started the song with a beat and built it from there. I think it informed so much of the song's feel. Rob and Pip who produced the song were great at channeling those feels too. 

With a national tour kicking off in February 2025 and more singles planned, what can fans expect from this next chapter in your music journey?

We’ve really opened the doors to so many new flavours for this new season. We’ve been travelling this year, which has refreshed us in many ways. At the moment we are spending as much time as we can writing and recording, and we’re excited with what's been coming out. 

Your live shows have become a big part of your identity as a band. How are you planning to bring ‘Telephone’ and your new music to life on stage?

We actually snuck Telephone into the set on our recent Aus tour with The Rubens, which was a nice way to test it in front of a live audience. It made us excited for the tour next year. We’ve got some real surprises in the bag for it. We have been working hard to make the show and music feel exciting. We have something quite different that we'll be doing on the Aus tour next year.