Loose Lips: "I Feel We Are Always on the Same Wavelength When It Comes to How It Should Sound and the Image of the Band"

Across their debut album Last Laugh (DIG! Records), Melbourne's Loose Lips waste no time delivering ten tracks of late-night, no-holds-barred pop rock 'n' roll with a rebellious spirit. Forming just over a year ago, the trio of guitarist-vocalist Josh Hardy (The Unknowns, The Chats), drummer-vocalist Nadine Muller (The Prize), and bassist Ethan Stahl (Street Sweeper) put their stamp on full of heart earworm hooks, gritty, youthful male-female vocals, and loud and fast guitar riffs that pull from The Boys, Eddie and the Hot Rods, and The Zeros (UK). In this conversation, Hardy and Muller dig into the making of the debut album, how it compares to last year's 7" EP, and keeping everything as DIY as possible.

Photos by Danisha Harriott

Hot Sounds: First, where did you grow up and how did you each get into playing music?

Nadine Muller: I grew up in a town called Bendigo in regional Victoria. I started my first band during my second year of high school which was called The Barbettes.. I think we played four songs at our first lunchtime gig, next to the school canteen — three of which were Ramones covers. 

Josh Hardy: I started The Unknowns when i was 16 and our first ever show was the school talent show. After that, we started playing at pubs and whatever we could get around the Sunshine Coast and greater Brisbane — usually having to do three sets we would play a mix of originals and cover songs by bands like The Kinks and The Modern lovers.

HS: How has it been playing out as Loose Lips over the last year? How does it feel recording or playing live compared to your other groups? (The Prize, The Unknowns, The Chats, and Street Sweeper)

NM: It has been really fun. We’ve done everything as DIY as possible — Josh has recorded everything on an 8-track and Ethan does all our artwork so that makes things easy. 

It’s a very no pressure, just do it and not overthink anything kind of project. 

JH: Yeah its always really easy. I love doing Loose Lips with these two because I feel we are always on the same wavelength when it comes to how it should sound and the image of the band. Doing everything as much as we can in house definitely helps too. 

HS: What can you tell me about your upcoming debut album, Last Laugh, and what insight can you share about how and where it was recorded? 

NM: We recorded it at my parents place in Bendigo. Josh dragged his 8-track down there and we just plugged in and did it over two days. We had the majority of the songs written I think there was just one or two Josh busted out last minute that we kind of learnt as we were recording them. 

JH: Few of the songs we have had written for about a year now, since we started the band. The others are all fresh.

HS: How would you compare the new LP to the four songs from last year's debut EP? 

JH: I think all in all we got a better sound out of my 8-track and I feel like that allowed us to really think about the songs a lot more. Also half the songs we have been playing live for almost a year now so it was all sounding super tight going into record. 

HS: How did you approach the songwriting on this album? What did you find yourself mostly writing about? 

NM: I generally am best at mustering lyrics when I'm a bit pissy about something [laughs]. So there are a couple of fist shaking themes in there. Such as "Last Laugh."

JH: I found myself writing what were quite obviously "Loose Lips" songs. I was just having heaps of fun doing it and was just wanted to write songs to make people dance and distract themselves from the outside world. 

HS: Today your label shared with us the title track. How did this track come together and what can you tell us about it? 

NM: Josh came up with the riff and I was mumbling along with some melody ideas and I think I just came up with the title "Last Laugh" on the spot and it came together pretty quickly once I had the theme. The saying last laugh maybe implies that you’ve been doubted or made to feel underestimated in some way so it’s about the satisfaction in prevailing. 

HS: Previewing some other toons here ahead of the release, what can you tell them about "Careful What You Wish For"?  

JH: Another slower one. I guess its about being a bit unsure about the future while remembering the grass is always greener on the other side.  

HS: How did "Don't Mess Me 'Round" come together? 

JH: This is the Loose Lips "not to be fucked with" anthem. Its about being friends with someone for about five seconds before you realize you’ve made the wrong decision.

HS: What's the story behind "Nothing That I Want"? 

JH: Honestly pretty similar sentiment to "Don't Mess Me 'Round" [laughs].

HS: Aside from the new record, what are some other plans for Loose Lips? 

NM: We're heading to Japan in November to play a couple of shows! Besides that well be doing an album launch in Melbourne. Date and location TBC! 

HS: Josh, what can also you tell readers about this new Unknowns record coming out this month and what are some plans for The Chats this year?  

JH: Hey wasn't this interview about Loose Lips? 

HS: Nadine while you're here, what are some plans for The Prize and when can fans expect that debut LP?  

NM: [laughs] It's been a long time coming. We have a single and clip coming out early August and the LP will be out in September on Anti Fade (AUS) and Goner Records (USA).

HS: Lastly, any advice or last words you'd like to share with our readers? 

NM: Do yourself a favor and check out some great new Australian bands: Gnome, The States, Cammy Cautious and the Wrestlers. 

Last Laugh is out September 5th on DIG! Records.