In the Green Room: Heaps Good Friends

Welcome back! It’s been a few years since the band has played or released music – the world missed you! What made you decide to return now?

Emma: I live in the US now, and with regular trips home to visit the family, regular HGF releases and gigs should follow! I messaged Nick once I had my dates lined up and it had been too long since we had done any official releases (with extra production and mastering); we were both excited by the idea.
You're back in support of your upcoming EP Poly to the Rescue. What can you tell us about this project?

Emma: These songs were half written many years ago, and they were our favourite out of about 50 we had to work with. We zoned in on them and gave writing lyrics and melodies a real hot go. The title is an homage to our favourite synth, the Korg Poly 800, which is the synth that started our band really. Every sound on there rules, and we use it on many, if not every HGF song.
What's one song on the EP you're proudest of?

Nick: TRICKY! Ahhhh dunno! Which one's yours?

Heaps Good Friends' tracks are known for their iconic turn of phrase. Are there any
standout lyrics that you love from the project?

Emma: A couple of the songs have a more serious tone, to be honest! But the most fun song is probably 'Game Night', where Nick and I reminisced about being young and playing video games at mates’ houses growing up.

Let's pull a meaningful all-nighter / I gotta bag a chips and crispy M&Ms / D'you wanna play Zelda? NBA Jam?  / I'll hand your ass to you in Street Fighter? Tiger!

For a funny minute it used to be "I got a bag of crisps and crispy M&Ms", but it was just too much 'sp's' in one line. Sorry England! Who calls chips 'crisps'?!

READ MORE: In the Green Room: Broken Waves

You’re launching the brand-new EP on August 22 at Jive. What made Jive the right venue for this occasion?

Nick: In 2017 we played a fun gig there called Heaps Good Dance Party with The Montreals, China Roses and a Cahli Blakers solo set. We did Ukulele-oke (which may see a comeback) and had a great night, so it seems right to tap back into that energy. Plus, Jive is supporting all-ages shows, which aligns with us perfectly! Especially since it’s an afternoon show. Doors at 4pm, all done by 7pm. 17 and under tickets are only $10. Go out to dinner after the show. Or just go home and enjoy your cosy place.

You’ve tapped groovy 5-piece Live Slug Reaction and emerging grunge rockers Static Attic to support. What energy are they bringing to the launch?

Nick: Live Slug Reaction are just so groovy, baby. They sound so nice and we are very lucky that they'll be coming along to set a fabulous tone to the evening. Also, the bassist, Carl, has been away, so it's super lovely to have him back. The internet will never recover from the Live Slug 'bassist fill-in video' fiasco. Static Attic are a fresh young band doing cool things in the scene. Very happy to meet lots of young bands through my work at Carclew, and we're stoked they've agreed to bring their show to our event!

The band has been killing it since 2016. Over the years, what have been some standout moments?

Nick: We had a very lucky start with triple j; one of our first songs, 'Let’s Hug Longer', got a lot [of support], which led to our second-ever gig at Groovin the Moo. Then, touring with Jungle Giants for their Quiet Ferocity Tour shortly after. That meant playing in lots of amazing venues all around the country. It was humbling to get a glimpse of our great creative nation and the thousands of brilliant and wonderful band members, venue owners and industry types that make our music scene happen night after night. I think we played a sold-out Enmore for our 7th ever show; it was a very fun time. 

For those who haven’t caught you live yet, what can audiences expect from a Heaps Good Friends set?

Nick: Up-tempo indie electro pop! Some wacky lyrics, synths galore and freedom to wiggle and feel good. Normally we play as a three-piece (vox/bass/drums) with a backing track, but for a change we've got Jack on synths and Lucinda on guitar, so it's going to be new for all of us! I think we'll bring back Ukulele-oke (karaoke but with Ukuleles too!), so that will be good and silly. We've got heaps of CDs and Vinyls going for cheap, plus some fresh merch so everyone can take something home.

 Catch Heaps Good Friends at Jive on Saturday 22 August with Live Slug Reaction and Static Attic celebrating their new EP Poly to the Rescue. All ages, doors at 4pm. Tickets on sale at moshtix.com.au.