We asked the band to talk about how they started, their recording sessions, and why they aren't in any rush to smooth over the tension in their music. The band first came together through the usual local channels, finding out pretty quickly that they were all on the exact same page creatively:
"We just met through mutual friends really. It was during a time where Jack and Tim were looking to start a new project with Jarren and he suggested his friend Rosa would be a good fit. So we just set up some really relaxed rehearsals and we all gelled well together. It also helped that we all shared similar visual and music aesthetics and liked the same artists, so when it came to writing everything felt really easy and natural."
Their music has a beautiful, lingering mood, leaning into a comfortable melancholy. When asked about what draws them to that sound.
"We’ve always liked how Rosa & Jarren’s vocals sound when they’re soft and buried in the mix, which draws from a lot of the bands we listen to. And I guess the contrasting textures are naturally derived from that with delicate moments blended into heavy, loud sections. As for the ‘unresolved’ element, we like to treat our sets like a journey for the listener, so we often structure and end songs based on how they would flow into the next song. Those transitions sort of unintentionally create that unresolved feeling."
Disc 2 feels like a massive step forward from earlier singles like "Mezzanine" and "Morningside." The new album features standout tracks like "Trucks", "Stylus Writer", and "Sea Anemone".
"Our early singles were written when we were still discovering our sound, so we just recorded them one after the other without a broader plan. Whereas, with Disc 2, we wrote most of the songs with the idea of the album in mind, intentional about how the tracks would fit together. We recorded the whole thing over a couple of weeks in Melbourne in our producer and friend Dave’s (Local The Neighbour) attic. It was a super crammed space that barely fit the four of us and you literally had to be let in and out by someone downstairs, but that really helped us lock in."
For anyone listening to the new album and wondering where to start, the band has a pretty clear recommendation for the one song that sums up the whole project:
"We’d probably steer people straight to the title track, "Disc 2". It encapsulates the record pretty well by bringing all the different elements found throughout the album into one single song."
Brisbane has a massive history of producing incredible alternative acts, and the current Meanjin community and its independent venues still play a huge role in how the band operates:
"The Meanjin scene is awesome. There’s an amazing community of people who consistently show up to support upcoming bands. A lot of that comes down to the independent venues keeping the scene thriving. Places like The Junk Bar, where we played our first headline show, and Season Three, where we’ve played some of our favorite gigs to date, have been so great to us."
All that local hard work has paid off with the band being selected for the massive BIGSOUND 25th Anniversary showcase this September. With the festival happening right in their own backyard, their prep is pretty straightforward:
"Playing BIGSOUND has always been a goal of ours, so getting the opportunity feels awesome. Right now, our prep is just about dialing in our set. More than anything, we’re just super keen to play a bunch of loud shows and connect with other artists we love."
The digital release isn't the only way to hear the album. Disc 2 is getting a limited 'Metallic Blue' vinyl run through Impressed Recordings, and having that physical object means a lot to an independent band:
"Having the album pressed on vinyl was probably the coolest and craziest thing about the entire release. It feels awesome to be able to hold a physical version of the project we put so much work into. It also feels like it has given the record a life outside of just a streaming link. We’re very grateful to the team at Impressed for helping us make that happen and everyone who’s bought a vinyl."
With the album out and the showcase around the corner, the plans for the rest of 2026 involve shifting gears from touring back into writing mode:
"We’ve been on the road a lot this year since putting Disc 2 out. Once BIGSOUND wraps up, the plan is to have a little rest and get back into writing some new songs for a bit and start working towards our next project, so we shall see what the future holds…"
Disc 2 is out now. You can catch blue diner. on Local Sounds Radio, at BIGSOUND this September, and grab a copy of the limited 'Metallic Blue' vinyl via Impressed Recordings.
https://www.bigsound.org.au/lineups/artists/showcase/blue-diner
SoundVerge Editorial
Independent music journalism
