The Jungle Giants, a band as famous for their nonsensical Facebook posts as they are for their delightful toe-tapping, indie pop music.

Having already supported some of the best international and local bands, released two hugely successful EPs – one of which spawned a Hottest 100 featured track – the young band already have achieved much in their time. Andhave a lot more to come.

It’s no secret that the band have been working on new material for their debut album, the real mystery however, is when it will be released.

As for the much anticipated release date, we’re still in the dark, however according to lead vocalist Sam Hales, the band’s single is “coming out in about a month.There’s only a few weeks until everyone gets to hear it.”

As for what is actually in store? “The record is a bit more focused on songwriting and the effectiveness of simplicity. But also we’ve moved into other spaces – there are album tracks that have turned out to be my favourite songs and they are kind of unexplored territory for our music. There’s some slower tunes and others with hip hop elements.”

According to Hales, the band’s sound has grown and matured since their early 2012 She’s A Riot EP, and that it most definitely shows on their upcoming record. “[The debut album] is the perfect opportunity to be original, and tell people that this is our stuff and this is how it sounds.” – Sam Hales

“It’s definitely a big step up. Especially in regards to songwriting,” he continues. “These songs have been in the works for a long time, so there has been a lot of time for me to focus on arrangement.”

The group is still working with producer Magoo, who oversaw production on their previous EP. “He is the coolest guy, an amazing producer and a totally chilled dude,” Hales praises, “it was perfect working with him.”

“He taught us how to get the right sound for exactly what we were looking for. He kind of just has a ‘live sound’ so we recorded everything live and went from there.”

With all recording taking place “in an old church in the bush” there was much time, thought, and effort put into the debut record to ensure it was the absolute best the band could deliver, and for good reason too. “This is our debut album and it is our chance to show everyone what we like and what we are about.”

“It’s the perfect opportunity to be original, and tell people that this is our stuff and this is how it sounds,” reveals Hales, who also admitted how much of a learning curve and how memorable the experience had been.

“I will never forget making this album, it’s been one of the most inspiring times ever. I cant wait to do the next one already and we haven’t even released this one!”

The Jungle Giants have earned themselves quite a cult following in a short period of time, with an incredibly responsive and enthusiastic fan base. “It’s quite humbling and really nice,” Hales remarks.

“I’ve noticed that we have some really weird fans, like weird people. I think that’s awesome because we are all weird people anyway in the band.”

One of the Jungle Giants’ main priorities is having fun with their followers, by interacting in all types of strange and wonderful ways. “There’s a bunch of weird stuff we say, especially on Facebook.”

Think ‘missyoukissyou’ or ‘swaghetti yolonaise,’ slogans which have now become synonymous with the band. “We have this other fun thing as well, it’s a photo album with Creepy Fan Artwork. Someone put our faces on babies, as well as weird stuff like The Christmas Jungle Giants, so I collect them all and upload them for fun.”

Sam even once had a pair of underwear thrown on stage with the name ‘Kevin Spacey’ sown on the back from one such fan, “I still have them in my house,” reveals Sam, “I’ve even worn them once.”

Coming in at #83 in the 2012 Hottest 100 countdown, famously beating band buddies Last Dinosaurs by a few spots, proved to be an exciting and satisfying time for the quartet, especially Hales.

“It was kind of funny, I was texting Sean [Caskey] from Last Dinosaurs at the time and they were stoked they got in and I was stoked as well,” recalls the frontman.

“We love to mess around with each other, so I think I ribbed him about it and called him a dickhead a few times, all in good fun! I’m just glad we both made it in. Brisbane represent.”

As a matter of fact, Hales also read the Warmest 100 prediction that surfaced before the official countdown, but admits it was difficult to get his head around it. “I do remember looking at that, seeing us in it, getting too excited and thinking ‘I’m never going to look at this again’. I hoped, but I tried not to hope. It was a bit of a mind fuck.” “Someone put our faces on babies, as well as weird stuff like The Christmas Jungle Giants, so I collect them all and upload them for fun.” – Sam Hales

Hailing from Brisbane, The Jungle Giants have formed great friendships with fellow musicians in the city’s music industry. “I actually love just going out to gigs because every time I see guys from other bands. It’s just a big hang out at every gig.”

“Everyone seems to love music as much as everyone else.” So why does he think Brisbane’s live music culture is so strong? “I have a theory – it’s because of BIGSOUND, and because all the venues are so close together. You can go to four gigs in one night if you really wanted to,” he exclaims. “It’s like a shopping centre for gigs!”

Strangely enough, the band’s most recent performance at Track & Field Festival in Brisbane, was where they started out all those years ago. “It was our first real gig really, we had never really played with any established bands before.”

Playing live is something that each member has grown into over time and experience; “We really look forward to it now. It’s not something we dread at all,” Hales confirms.

“When we were first starting out and trying to get our sound, it was really nerve wracking. We are at a point now that we can’t wait to play and try out stuff. In fact the more excited we are to play, the more crazy shit we do on stage!”

So what’s in store for The Jungle Giants next? According to Sam Hales, there’s “the single, album and some plans for a few other tours.”

But rest assured younger fans – there are some underage tours in the works.
“The rest of the year for us is just keeping busy on the road, playing and writing. Hopefully for a bunch of years after that too.”

She’s A Riot is out now through Create/Control. The Jungle Giants have been announced as part of the Splendour In The Grass 2013 lineup. Dates and details below.

Splendour In The Grass 2013 Tickets & Dates

Tickets go on sale Friday 26th April
Three day event ticket: $350 + BF
One day event ticket: $140 + BF
Camping pass: $99 + BF
Country Club ticket: $699+BF


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