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Interview: These New South Whales
- Olive McCagh
- Jan 13
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 14
For a perfect listen of GODSPEED, catch a train, at least an hour ride. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world – regional New South Whales, or trekking between cities in Europe, as long as you’re sitting there. Headphones on, watching the world go by. At least that’s what Guitarist Todd Andrews from These New South Whales recommends.
This was the second time I had spoken to Todd about the record, following their first single ‘INSTINCT’ release in August. It was a strong and demanding introduction to their fourth studio album. And that’s exactly what it is – an empowered and unfiltered release. Proof that the decade-old band is ever-growing and changing. GODSPEED is a combination of the last three records; their DIY roots and punk ethos are held tightly always. But, when asked about the point of difference with this new album, Todd said,
“It covers more ground. The softer moments are softer, and the heavier moments are heavier. The faster moments are faster.”
Territory and intensity are prioritised within GODSPEED, leaning into new sounds, genres and influences, leaving no stone unturned. TNSW has always made music to respond to something, as the best art does. GODSPEED dives deeper into the same topics that characterise TNSW: criticism against conservative society, self-development and honest storytelling. Since dropping their ARIA-nominated 2022 self-titled album, both their personal lives and the world have changed - self-discovery defines the album. Their newfound confidence led to themes of autonomy, and a conservative uprising prompted TNSW to take the offensive side. The album is explicit; they are spelling it out straight to our faces. Trust your instinct, the choice is yours, fuck the pigs.
“The album’s looking at themes that we’ve covered before, but from a different perspective. And from a sense of self autonomy and growth, just being empowered.”
Over the last two years, the album grew out of the comfort of their homes and Melbourne rehearsal space. The band would play together, go to the pub, come back and hang out. These songs and ideas lived with them, through their daily lives, rejecting a forceful regime and any deadline pressure. A writing trip to the Otways, the outskirts and rainforests of Naarm, set the songs in stone. A disconnect to the fast-paced city and opposing environment to where the songs were conceived. In the cold, by the fire, is where GODSPEED took form.
Todd and the band knew they wanted this album to be different. As an outsider, I can’t picture them ever doing anything twice – constant motion and divergence is second nature to them.
“We didn’t want it to sound exactly like the last record; we didn’t want to record it in the same way.”
Working with the born-and-raised New York City producer Ben Greenberg allowed the band to discover new sounds and develop moments. A direct message led to a twist of fate – Ben was in Melbourne, and he was keen. The band loved his prior work: Depeche Mode, Drab Majesty, Show Me the Body, and Todd had nothing but praise for Ben. Crediting their affair with new instrumentation to the producer.
“We probably wouldn’t have covered as much territory had we not worked with Ben.”
Ben had a touch on every detail, his expert fingerprint leaving its mark throughout GODSPEED. With the ballad track ‘NOBODY LISTENS’ morphing entirely inside the studio, the band were unsure whether it was going to make the album. Todd tells me they had no idea why they were recording the song. It originated on their Otways writing trip, almost as a joke. With lead singer Jamie Timony freestyling over some standard alt-rock, country-influenced chords “in a silly way”. It was Ben who led them to the decision to shift away from its rock-n-roll framework: guitar, bass, drums, vocals, and experiment with a piano loop, and some unfamiliar instruments. Todd described the afternoon working on it as challenging and exciting, and it's diverse tracks, like ‘NOBODY LISTENS’, showcase the growth and curiosity of the band.
Throughout the eleven-track album, These New South Whales level up, marking a stark contrast to past records. The track ‘INTRO’ teases what is to come, with disruptive instrumentals joining in halfway through, a total warmup to the energy that is to follow. Jamie singing their mantra “Choice is yours, GODSPEED.”, dedicating the album to “the family” and urging listeners to “take care of each other.” A display of what message TNSW wants to send in their album, a sense of community and autonomy in tough times. Todd Andrews noted that this was the first LP without interludes, which usually allow the band to play and experiment. This record is direct and focused, with elements of urgency that seem to overpower the need to rest.
‘INSTINCT’ was the first single dropped off their album, and is still one of my favourites. It is the anthem off the record, with the bass and drums creating a marching beat for us to follow the band behind. Tracks like ‘MISS HER’ and ‘R.I.P ME’ continue to showcase vulnerability and the strength behind admitting when times are tough. And in true These New South Whales nature, they devote ‘PIGS’ to the law enforcement of Australia, perhaps in their most explicit form.
These New South Whales are anti-modernisation, rejecting a typical national tour of their fourth studio album instead piling into the record stores of Australia. The backbones of the music industry. Over the weekend of GODSPEED’s release, they hosted free all-age instore performances and signings at Brisbane’s Sonic Sherpa, Sydney’s HUM On King and Melbourne’s Paradise Records.
“When we play shows, the front rows are just like young people. People are keen to connect, experience live music, buy a vinyl, or have something that's tangible in terms of like music they love. So, we just thought it was a really fun and important thing to do.”
TNSW are against the grain, denying the way the world is moving, its digitisation and the disconnect. They love talking, meeting and engaging with a community, closing the distance between the fan and the artist. They genuinely search for these connections and prioritise accessible performances. Tours like this allow artists the rare opportunity to come face-to-face with their listeners.
“We chatted to every record store too, and just told them, like, how important this is, like, for us to be able to do this, but also for the people that come and their sense of community, and engagement with music and artists.”
In a time where physical media and communication are hard to come by, it is refreshing and inspiring to see Australian bands reinforcing their importance. For These New South Whales, it’s at the forefront of their minds.
“We believe there’s a swing happening or is going to happen. I don’t know how big it’s going to be, but to for in person experiences and community again. Because the digitisation of music has gone so far.”
TNSW are a special band for many reasons, but their comedy side hustles paved their way to be one of Australia’s most interesting and entertaining acts. To accompany GODSPEED, the band was celebrating 500 episodes of their podcast “What A Great Punk”, with live recordings in each city. Their careers have excelled beyond music, and the nation has gotten to know and love the four-piece for their witty humour and love of fun. A band that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and for Todd, these projects intertwine with ease: “whatever we find enjoyable is what we're doing.”
It's easy to trust and follow the messages TNSW are sharing through their music, with a decade of experience under their belt. They truly know what they are doing, and it is refreshing in the Australian scene to have some friendly punk-rockers backing an alternative revolt. GODSPEED is a record full of umph, control and truth, formed from the many lessons they have learnt about the world and themselves and their gut instinct.
GODSPEED LP is out now, buy/stream it here.
