GET TO KNOW BRISBANE ALT-ROCK DUO DAYS LIKE THESE
Brisbane’s alternative-rock duo Days Like These have been killing it lately as they release singles from their upcoming EP “ICON” which is set to be unleashed tomorrow and presents some of the most memorable melodies, and powerful elements.
Since bursting out into the scene back in 2018, days like these have been captivating everyone with their strong, catchy sound. With all the excitement surrounding their new EP, we got to have a chat with both Callen and Noah which you can read below.
How did you guys meet, and where did your love of music come from?
Callen: Noah and I met at school! Noah transferred to my school during grade 11 and I explicitly remember meeting him once he joined our music class and not really liking him at first. It wasn’t until I heard him play the drums (and later, other instruments) that I became particularly interested in him. However, through having discussions and performances of music in class, it wasn’t long until our friendship started blossoming and he inevitably joined the band. I’ve never been quite sure where I get my love of music from. I don’t have any musicians in my family that I’m remotely close to - I think I just innately gravitated toward it from a very young age. My dad is very appreciative of music and has a wide range of tastes he enjoys, but he isn’t a musician in the slightest. However, he’s always been my biggest supporter and we have bonded on many occasions over bands and certain songs.
Noah: A very pivotal moment in my- at the time- turbulent life meeting Callen. It saved me in a lot of respects. We give each other a lot of purpose, which is really sweet. My mum’s an absolute karaoke fanatic and her father was a bustling musician his whole life, so it undoubtedly runs in the family.
Who are some local bands in the scene who you are really digging at the moment?
Callen: Those Who Dream are absolutely blowing my mind at the moment. Their extremely recent single ‘Apology’ is incredible! It’s a rather heavy tune for them but they pulled it off as if they’ve been doing it for ten years. The group is on a roll and are deservingly turning many heads, including mine. Another group I’m loving right now is Juno. They’re Brisbane locals just like us, and are also making waves in the scene with their modern take of funk, R’n’B fusion with a sharp pop edge.
Noah: Yes! Those Who Dream rule. Clay J. Gladstone and Peni Parker from Eora Nation/Sydney are reviving emo punk in a really exciting way. Our fellow Meanjin/Brisbane artists East Capri and Bad Neighbour are both brilliant live. Nat Luna, RnB out of Kaurna Land/Adelaide, Primal from Naarm/Melbourne getting their damn funk on. Most if not all of these people really honour their art and I find that so admirable. To do what you love unapologetically is beautiful.
If you could play with any bands, what would be your dream line-up?
Callen: I would like to play a show with Bring Me The Horizon! Their modern arena rock/metal sound is always an absolute treat and they have undoubtedly influenced our band in many ways, like so many others. It would be an honor to share the stage with them. Considering it’s a dream line-up, I will have to throw in Waterparks and Don Broco on the bill too which would make this show absolutely stellar. They are two other groups that I adore and have inspired Noah and I greatly.
Noah: Callen said all my gotos. Rats! Actually, Poppy and Enter Shikari have had a big effect on us, that would be incredible. WILLOW undoubtedly, we loved her last album. Mash it all together and you’ve got one special lineup.
Share with us a little about your upcoming EP “ICON”, what was the creative process like and how did you bring your ideas to life?
Callen: “ICON” is an eclectic collection of songs that were written right off the back of our previous EP, “Wide Awake”. However, unlike its predecessor, the ideas were written solely by an individual of the band, rather than together. We took all of these song ideas and demos and fleshed them out together only when sat with our producer, Chris. I would safely say that this is a strong reason why all of the songs are vastly different, all with unique styles and inspiration. They weren’t written in any sort of vacuum or with much intent - all of the flavours just seemed to flow out of us. I feel very excited and rewarded by all of the contrast on the record as it’s allowed us to create, encapsulate and present an array of different styles, looks and moods, all within the same campaign.
Noah: It really feels like we’re showcasing our fun side more, particularly in our lyrical content. There’s such a nice dose of playful charm- “Prima-donnas in the car wash scenes fear” (whatever that means)- a pinch of attitude, dark moods here and there, but really sincere moments too- “When you change I’ll be here waiting”. I really believe DLT has something special that ‘ICON’ captures more than ever, but it also highlights how multi-faceted we all are as people. What can I say? It’s our latest and greatest.
What’s your favourite track off the EP and why?
Callen: I feel like this question will forever be tough to answer, for many of the reasons I explained in the previous question. However, “Oblivion” will always hold a special place in my heart as I wrote that song a while before we were close to finishing “Wide Awake” and it always felt so special. I knew I wanted to push the boundaries with it and Chris helped steer the ship in the exact way I wanted it to go. The result is a huge anthemic rock tune that completely flips itself on the head in the best way possible. I’m so over the moon about how the electronic elements so boldly fit in and take the song to whole new places.
Noah: This is the first time I’ve ever felt so torn on what my favourite track is. I truly, truly love every song… I’ll pick two: ‘Foolish’ for its diversity and quirk, and ‘Bleed Yourself Dry’ because of how it moves me, usually to tears. It’s a very emotional song for both Callen and I.
You recently went from being a full band to becoming a duo, why did you continue on and how has the evolution of your sound changed?
Callen: I’m really not sure if there would be any reason why Noah and I would stop pursuing this band, and the dreams we have with it. There wasn’t any doubt that Days Like These would continue on even when we were left with just each other. When it was just ourselves and Russell (ex-guitarist) remaining, we agreed that we would not seek out new members, as over the years no one else seemed to last. So when Russell left, that sentiment stayed the same. Noah and I have the vision and drive to accomplish what we’re setting out to do all the same so it didn’t really feel too unnatural; I like to think we took it in our stride. This body of music was written for a rock band and that hasn’t changed. I don’t think we’ll ever lose our edge, but I think we have been getting better at incorporating a wider range of our tastes and inspirations into our music, and will only continue to do so more and more.
Noah: Really well put on Callen’s behalf. I honestly wouldn’t know what to do if I wasn’t in Days Like These with Callen. It’s rare to find someone you feel so aligned with artistically but also, Callen and I have known each other since I was 15. That’s so much time growing and experiencing life together, cultivating a strong, loving connection that you don’t find just anywhere. Despite the change in lineup, our sonic direction and the essence of what DLT is didn’t change.
After your EP drops, what is the band’s next move?
Callen: Once this EP is out, we really just want to take it and play it to as many different people in as many different places as possible. We’d like to head out on the road and show the world what we have on offer!
Noah: Touring and playing shows! That’s the plan. Mainly hoping we can support some bigger artists, meet some bigger crowds. But if not, we’ll have to make these opportunities ourselves and take ‘ICON’ on the road independently. We’ll see what the future holds.
Huge thanks to Days Like These!