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Words by Emily Hollitt {Emily Hollitt Content Writer{Malina Claire}


Pure Milk is a group that’s been front and centre in the Gold Coast music scene for quite some time now—and we’ve definitely taken notice! From support slots with the likes of DZ Deathrays and Eliza & The Delusionals to both triple j and Double J spins, Pure Milk have been taking up their rightful space in the spotlight with no signs of fading out any time soon.

Just last week they released their brand new EP ‘Food Court Days’, a nod to growing up on the Gold Coast, breaking down their formative years. Featuring the original Pacific Fair Shopping Centre in the album art, the EP is as nostalgic as it is good for a boogie. On the EP, lead singer Lewis says: “‘Food Court Days’ is an ode to the place where I spent my teen years. As a teen, all I knew about the world probably came from Pacific Fair food court. Those memories – for better or worse – shape who I am today.”

In just 6 short songs, the EP critiques toxic masculinity with Men/I Despise, plays homage to Lewis’ childhood dog Pablo with Green Fields and closes off with the cheerful indie rock title track Food Court Days, neatly tying off the themes. Through colourful production and easy-to-follow narratives, the EP is best served with an ice cold drink on a warm Sunday afternoon.

I absolutely loved everything about the EP and couldn’t wait to pick the band’s brain about everything to do with the EP. Luckily, they had a few moments to share!

You’ve just released your new EP ‘Food Court Days’. Can you take us through the main
themes and ideas in the tracks?


Of course. It started as a bit of a joke really, we were chatting about how it’s funny that
some of our favourite summer days as a teen were running between the beach and Pacific Fair
food court. Wet board shorts, surfboard in hand, causing a small ruckus. It got me thinking
though, the food court is kind of the first place you can go as a teen without parents, without
anyone telling you what to do. In a way, maybe the food court is a place where we start
shaping who we are as a person? I’m not sure, but I think this EP tries to tackle that, at least in
the sense of me reflecting on who I was as a teen and who I am now.

How does this EP differ from what you’ve released in the past?

The creative process was very different. We recorded everything in a week over
summer. The songs were forced to come together very quickly, and if they weren’t working,
they were quickly cut. It sounds much ‘brighter’ than before I think, the punk flair comes
through in different ways, not just blaring guitar, but instead the feeling or the overall energy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bcbLrYBLBg

I really love the sound of this EP! What bands/ artist/ songs did you draw inspiration from?

Dick Diver, Father John Misty, Bill Callahan and Big Thief, to name a few. I was going
through a big singer-songwriter phase in my listening habits and I think that came out in the
songs we wrote.

What does the songwriting process look like for your group?

Chaotically. No, I usually come to Dylan with some basic demos – me and an acoustic
guitar, recorded on my phone – and then he decides what he likes/doesn’t like. From there, we
just meet and try to figure it out. The whole band is welcome, people come and go depending
on their free time. Mostly though, the songs have to be worked out quickly, we don’t spend
much time moulding something to perfection.

You guys have been making waves in the local community for quite some time now! What
would you consider the highlight of your career thus far?


We’re hitting a point now where we feel so comfortable on stage with each other that
we can play the set by feel. If something feels right we do it, we have setlists but there is no
need to follow it. A few weeks ago I lost my voice mid-set, so Dylan stepped up and just sang the last two songs, it was incredible.


Speaking of being avid locals, the COVID-19 pandemic has really thrown a spanner in the
works for many small bands and artists. Who are some of your favourite homegrown acts
around right now?


Girl and Girl, Miranda Vs. Arizona, Sacred Blue. Mostly though, it’s the whole Brisbane
scene, the best scene in Australia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCWg8_hQeAU

How did your band form?

Dylan, Nathan, and I started jamming in my parents shed at around 20. It was mostly
these weird instrumental jams, unstructured fun. Finally, Dylan and I started writing a bit of
music and Pure Milk began to form. Brayden joined pretty early on in the process too! Tiarne
has been playing with us for about a year now, which has been amazing. Tiarne went to school
with Dylan and Nath too, so really it’s just a bunch of friends hanging out.

If you could play a show alongside any band or artist, dead or alive, who would you choose?

Whoever is the booking agent for the upcoming Pavement tour, hit us up. x

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to kick start their music career?

Try stuff. Write a song and release it, then write some more. In the early days don’t
stress immediately about how you’re going to sell yourself, that stuff will come with time. At the
beginning just be present and active in the scene, it’ll snowball from there. Oh, and go to your
mates shows.

And finally, what can we expect next from Pure Milk?

To round off the year we’re playing Vinnies Dive Bar’s Birthday Party, that’ll be our last
show before Brayden jets off to Canada. Over summer, we’ll write, like we always do. We’ve
got a few new song ideas up our sleeves, but who knows, it has to survive the recording
process to see the light of day!


Catch Pure Milk LIVE at VINNIES BIRTHDAY WEEK. CHECK THE DETAILS HERE.


Check out Food Court Days HERE


Follow PURE MILK


With thanks to Morse Code PR

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