CONCRETE GOLD ARE GEARING UP TO RELEASE A TRACK AND WE'RE PRETTY NOSEY OVER HERE AT WIZARD WATER, WE THOUGHT WE'D DIVE RIGHT IN.
Hailing from Byron Bay and now making waves from Brisbane to beyond, Concrete Gold has burst onto the scene with a sound that’s equal parts nostalgic and fresh. Blending the gritty energy of 90s alternative rock with modern Australian indie, this four-piece band draws influence from legends like Violent Soho, The Strokes, and Foo Fighters. Their high-octane performances have already seen them share the stage with Australian icons like Wolfmother and You Am I, and they’ve played major events like Byron Music Fest.
Now, with their latest single "Streets" about to drop, we sat down with the band to talk about their journey, their upcoming releases, and what makes them one of Australia’s most exciting up-and-coming acts.
TRACK REVIEW
"Streets" kicks off with what might just be the riff of the year—immediately gripping, like waking up after the best night of your life. The track balances gritty 90s alternative energy with a modern edge, keeping you locked in from start to finish. The production is flawless, with every element crafted to enhance the song’s relentless drive.
The standout moment comes during the breakdown/bridge, where the track shifts gears in a way that feels both surprising and perfectly timed. You can really hear the Anthony Kiedis inspiration shining through in the lyrics—raw, introspective, and unapologetic. Concrete Gold has nailed it with "Streets," delivering a song that feels both nostalgic and fresh, with a riff that’s going to stick in your head for days.
Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming single "Streets"? What inspired the song, and what can fans expect from it?
Streets has been our most collaborative release so far, coming out of a random jam we had as a band. We feel this song is a great representation of the band in its current formation bringing in our own influences such as Chilli Peppers, Hockey Dad and Foo Fighters.
You mentioned you have a couple of other songs coming out soon after "Streets." Can you give us a hint about what these tracks are about or how they differ from "Streets"?
We recorded two other tracks alongside Streets, including a popular cover reinterpreted in our own style, and a song embracing some of our heavier influences such as DZ Deathrays, Queens of the Stone Age, and even Tool, exploring some odd time signatures. We each have so many influences ranging from pop to metal, so we love to have some fun with writing and exploring these different genres.
Your sound has been described as a lovechild of 90s alternative rock and modern Australian indie. How do you blend these influences in your music, and how has your style evolved over time?
Our style and approach to writing music has changed drastically since our jams in my Uni dorm room with me (Cam) and Harry. A lot of our older stuff was heavily influenced by the likes of Pearl Jam and Royal Blood which you can hear from our latest single Breakout which was one of the first songs we wrote together. Since we moved to Brisbane from Byron and added some more official members to the lineup, we have definitely evolved adding some extra colours to our sound in an attempt to create our own unique sound.
Concrete Gold has been making waves from Byron Bay to Brisbane. How have your surroundings and the local music scenes in these places influenced your music and growth as a band?
Our sound has certainly developed since getting involved with the local scene from Byron to Brisbane. We started during Covid and weren't exposed to any of the great local bands that we’re good mates with today like Cosmic Vice, Ferny Fairway, Loose Goose and countless others. We definitely like to feed off these other talented artists while still keeping to our own influences. A few of the members also work in the industry as techs and producers which is always amazing and exposes us to a lot of new music.
You’ve shared stages with some legendary acts like Wolfmother and You Am I. What have been the most memorable moments from those experiences, and how have they shaped you as performers?
Our first show with our current drummer Will was supporting Wolfmother at the Beach Hotel. The feeling of seeing the crowd grow from 20 to about 500 throughout our set really gave us a boost and helped us realise that this is really worth pursuing.The on stage antics from these artists were also great to see and helped us shape our live show to create a great atmosphere and add to the entertainment of the show.
Your music is known for its high energy and powerful live performances. How do you prepare for a live show, and what do you hope the audience takes away from your performances?
When we play live we like to not take it too seriously, if we have rehearsed enough, we love to have a few drinks and really try to get involved with the crowd. Although some of our songs explore some more serious topics, we just want everyone to have fun with their mates and have a bit of a mosh.
Influences like Violent Soho, The Strokes, and Foo Fighters play a significant role in your sound. Are there any specific albums or songs from these bands that have been particularly impactful for you?
I think an album that really resonates with everyone in the band is Wasting Light by the Foo Fighters. There are no real direct influences in songs, but in terms of songwriting quality, creating catchy hooks and great production, we strive to create something as great. Our song ‘Say Goodbye’ was influenced by Reptilia by the Strokes and there are plenty of similar cases like that with our songs.
With the new single "Streets" and more releases on the way, what’s the creative process like for Concrete Gold? Do you have a specific way of writing and producing your songs?
For these latest 3 tracks we have recorded, myself and Sam Harris co-produced. In the past we produced ourselves due to my experience recording bands such as Wolfmother and loads of other locals. But, this time we let Sam really take the lead regarding production to have an outside perspective and help us create the best possible songs that we can all be proud of. We recorded them all at my home studio south of Brisbane, creating a good atmosphere and allowing a low stress environment.
Looking forward, where do you see Concrete Gold heading in the next few years? Are there any big goals or dream collaborations you’re aiming for?
We would love to continue to grow over the next few years and begin to tour internationally. Locally we would love to collaborate and play with bands such as Dear Seattle, Dune Rats, and DZ Deathrays possibly joining on a tour with one of these legendary acts at some point in the near future.
Lastly, for fans eagerly awaiting your new releases, what message do you have for them? How can they stay connected and support you as you continue to make music?
The best way to support us is to just come to a show, hang out and have a great time. Merch is another way to really help and support the band, and helps us to fund our shows to create the best possible experience for everyone. Our single release at Tomcat in Brisbane will be on October 12 with Looch (Adelaide), Cosmic Vice and Clay Pigeons.
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