The Pretty Littles’ Jack Parson Chats All Things ‘Mulga Wire’

After breaking up five years ago, The Pretty Littles have risen from the ashes like the phoenix, thanks to frontman and guitarist Jack Parsons. Gearing up for the release of their second album in as many years, Parsons opens up about why he resurrected the band, working with Greg Rietwyk and performing in Adelaide.

Words Tobias Handke // Image supplied

First off, congratulations on Mulga Wire. Fantastic listen. To me, it feels like a companion piece to last year’s Force – it’s a raw, honest collection of songs about the world around us that also reflects Australian life and culture. What’s your take on the album, and where does it sit for you amongst the eight albums the band’s released?  

I think a companion piece is a nice way of putting it. They feel related. Brothers or cousins or sisters or something. We all love Mulga Wire. It represents a lot for us within the band. We were elated, inspired and keen to work after Force. We found half a rhythm on Mulga Wire.

The album arrives just a year after Force. Why so quick with the follow-up? Making up for lost time after the previous five-year album gap?

I think a bit of that. It was such a slow re-emergence. Force was recorded over years. By the end of it, we started finding a nice flow as a band. We’d played a few shows by the end of the recording process, so we just followed that straight into Guts. The other thing was that the songs were there. I had a few weeks off booze and songs fell out, it was beaut!

Speaking of lost time, when The Pretty Littles came to an end back in 2021, how hard was it to stop doing something you loved, even though you understood it had run its course? 

Yes, very much so. It was a break-up in the sense that the other fellas had fallen out of love with it, but I hadn’t. So there was relief but that was quickly usurped by sadness. I felt that for longer than I guess I thought I would. It ended up being for the best as these things can be I think. Starting again is tricky, but it’s been one of the best experiences of my life.

What sparked the creative juices to kick-start the band again, and what has it been like working with new people after so long with former members Simon, Will and Jono? 

I kept writing songs, so once I accepted I was going to do that anyway, I was keen to find the right outlet for them. I also realised how much I love being in a band. I like the bond. Liam, Sam, JP and Greg and I have always been close, so the band just became an extension of that. They are all brilliant singers, songwriters and players, so any idea anyone has is elevated once it gets passed around. It’s sort of easier, everyone’s older and more at ease with opinion, majority rules.

Do you approach music in a different way now than before the band first went their separate ways? 

Yeah, it is much less precious, much more trust your instinct. It’s just more pragmatic now. We like recording and touring and writing, but it’s hard finding the time ya had when you were footloose and fancy free. But there are other ways to make a record and different strengths people bring to that process.

You recorded Mulga Wire with Greg Rietwyk (Press Club), who has become one of the country’s most respected producers. You’ve worked with him a lot over the journey. What is your relationship like, and why does he bring the best out of you in the studio? 

Greggy is a dear mate. He recorded Skeleton Run. He’s just a fucking legend. He’s also a bit of a perfectionist, so I think we tested him a bit with our new way of doing things. We made his job harder because we weren’t ready to record the songs when we got to the studio, we had to fuck around. During Force, we were feeling the new normal out and Mulga we were all in acceptance of it, and I guess knew it could work to an extent. We just have a good time. He works fucking hard and he wants the best for the band. He believes in the tunes and wants them to sound great. Greggy rules.

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One of my favourite tracks on the album is ‘Good Sleeps’. I love the guitar riff, and there’s a real anthemic quality to the hook. How did this track come about? 

That’s good to hear. Like so many song starts, I was just absentmindedly strumming chords near the washing line and that emerged. Bizarre how it happens. It was different to how I’d normally play chords, so it was exciting. It was written quickly after that. I reckon the trick is to have a guitar in your hand as much as possible.

Another great track is ‘Terracotta’. It reminds me a bit of The Walkman. Can you expand on this one?

We get lots of Walkmen comparisons, which is nice. I only really know that one song of theirs ‘The Rat’ which is a beauty, so I’ll take it. ‘Terracotta’ is a beauty. We all like that song. Most of the words were kicking around for a long while. I just looped the chords over and over till I found a melody I liked.

Is there one track on the album you’re really proud of or that really resonates with you? 

Yeah, a couple for sure. The one I gravitate to most is ‘This Next Year’. Just meaningful to me and it was a hard one to finish. We all had different ideas for it. Can’t believe we got there in the end. We haven’t played it live yet, so hopefully it gets a run on the album tour. ‘Animal Kingdom’ would be the other one.

When it comes to your songwriting, you’ve obviously grown and matured since the band’s early work. You write songs that are more about what’s happening in the world than just your personal bubble. Has this just come with getting older and having more perspective, or was there a moment that triggered this? 

I can’t really remember one moment. I think in the beginning, I was just so excited to be writing songs and melodies and playing in a band I didn’t really care what I was singing about, so lots of the songs were written with a little less thought. I think it probably started happening around our Gospel album.

The Pretty Littles have been on the road a lot over the past 12 months, supporting Bad//Dreems, performing in Sri Lanka and touring Australia. What’s been the highlight so far? 

Sri Lanka was a pinch ya self. Best crew, amazing place and people and just couldn’t believe we were there from emo Australiania songs. Such an amazing experience to travel OS for the first time with the band. Baddies was a beautiful experience too - to share that with them was spesh. Best fellas.

You’re bringing Mulga Wire to Adelaide this month. What are your memories of playing in Adelaide, and what can punters expect from this new version of The Pretty Littles? 

Adelaide has always been good to us! I remember em all! We’ve met so many legends from the Adelaide scene over the years. Ricky, Horror My Friend fellas, West Theb, Baddies, Kurralta Park more recently. Good city, good folks.

With Bad//Dreems calling it a day, The Pretty Littles feel like the natural band to carry on their legacy. What are your hopes and dreams for the band in the future? 

Haha! Yeah, maybe we can start earning their show fees now they’ve hung ‘em up.

Mulga Wire by The Pretty Littles is out Friday 5 June. Pre-order here. Catch The Pretty Littles at Lion Arts Factory on Friday 19 June. Tickets on sale now at moshtix.com.au.

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