With their unique sound and powerful messages, Australian alt-punk band, Parrots with Piercings, are quickly becoming a driving force in the music scene, and their impact is only set to grow.
Australian alt-punk duo Parrots with Piercings have been making waves in the Canberra music scene with their unique sound and perspective. Their latest single, “Kinda Strange,” is a testament to their ability to touch on universal themes while remaining deeply rooted in their Australian roots and everyday struggles.
At the heart of their music is a deep connection to punk and alternative music, which they were surrounded by as children. Their influences are evident in their energetic live shows, which create an atmosphere that is both raucous and intimate.
We caught up with the band to discuss their daily lives and ultimate goals, highlighting the importance of their community in the Canberra music scene. They also spoke about their creative process, which involves taking what could be described as morose lyrics and pairing them with music that makes people want to jump around.
“Kinda Strange” deals with heavy themes like love, loss, and addiction, yet manages to convey a sense of urgency and empathy while remaining catchy and enjoyable. The song’s lyrics touch on issues that are affecting younger generations, and the duo hopes to use their music to spark important conversations.
As Parrots with Piercings continue to evolve their sound and message, their impact on the Australian alt-punk scene is sure to grow. Their ability to touch on universal themes while remaining deeply rooted in their own experiences is a testament to their talent and dedication to their craft.
Happy: What are you up to today?
Khial: after work I went for a walk with George (my best mate/dog). About to settle in for some pasta bake and binge watch with my other half (not George…)
Dav: Tried the new VB VX, filmed a review, camera f**ked out so sculled another and finished Review 8.9/10… shoulda bought a case!
Happy: Tell us about your average work day.
K: I’m a plumber, so I’m up at sparrowfart. Shit runs downhill, payday’s Thursday.
D: Wake up, drive truck, lift furniture into truck, lift furniture out of truck and then drive truck back to depot
Happy: What about your ultimate day?
K: The day that Parrots with Piercings gets played on the radio would be right up there, but maybe winning the lotto? Actually, taxes are pretty shit, so being gifted $100 million would probably be a better ultimate day.
D: The day it rains VB
Happy: Tell us about your creative community.
K+D: The Canberra music scene has really grown since COVID. It’s become more diverse, and the quality of music is absolutely unreal. It’s become a real support network too, our fellow music-makers have genuinely become some of our best mates.
Happy: What did you read or watch growing up that fuelled your passion for music?
K: I grew up around people that loved music, and that planted the seed for my taste and creative style. I’ve had phases where I loved pop, hiphop/rap – followed by an even lengthier obsession with heavier music – but I’ve always returned to the tried-and-true punk and alternative music I was surrounded by as a kid.
D: I read the classifieds for cheap cars even before I could drive them legally. The rest of the BS in those papers is probably what fuelled the punk in me, any emo channels, MTV and the old faithful rage.
Happy: What did you read or watch last that opened your eyes and mind to a new perspective?
K: I recently watched some live footage from Silverchair’s performance at the 2002 Big Day Out which was absolutely sick and definitely something to emulate. I’m currently reading First, We Make the Beast Beautiful by Sarah Wilson, and it’s really challenging the way I look at and learn to live with anxiety and other mental health struggles.
D: slowly but surely witnessing unfortunately that it’s not what you know but who you know.. especially in the music scene
Happy: What inspired your band name, and how does it reflect your music and identity as a group?
K+D: We’re pretty proud of the name, though Dav had to sell it to me at first. It actually got us on Triple J for “Bandboozled” with Veronica and Lewis a couple of years ago. Our name was influenced by an audience member at a show we played a long time ago; specifically their parrot-like hair colour and body mods, which inspired a thought… Hence, Parrots with Piercings was born. Maybe this is a good opportunity to thank that person, wherever they are…
Happy: The lyrics of “Kinda Strange” deal with heavy themes like love, loss, and addiction. How did you approach writing such personal material?
K+D: I think it’s more public than it is personal, with the deterioration of younger generations and their habits and vices constantly worsening. Self medication is almost accepted as much as prescribed forms of help.
Happy: The song has been described as having a sense of urgency and empathy. How do you balance conveying those emotions while still creating a catchy, enjoyable song?
K+D: Gigs and music are like therapy for us, and we often sing about some pretty heavy topics that touch everyone’s lives in some way or another. I think we enjoy the irony of taking what could be described as some pretty morose lyrics and pairing it with music that makes people want to jump around. Giving people a chance to dance, yell, act silly and sing along to songs about real issues that life throws at us can be a really cathartic experience.
Happy: Can you tell us about your songwriting process for “Kinda Strange”?
K: Pieced together over sometime, and bridging two songs into one, Kinda Strange was Kind of strange in the way it melted into the sad cheesy ballad of the song it is.
D: I think I had multiple bits and pieces written with lyrics here and there. It wasn’t ’til the intro was written with the drums that the song really took shape. For months the second verse was different at our live shows because I hadn’t written it, even on the day of recording things were changed.
Happy: How has your music evolved since you first started making music together?
K+D: we have known each other since we were about 7, so it’s been a pretty long journey. We’ve been in other bands together, but I really think that our growth as individuals and the challenges life has thrown at us have had the biggest impact on the way we make music. Our creative process has definitely become a lot more natural over the years as we’ve continued to make music, but I must admit, writing songs together has always seemed somewhat effortless – well at least the songs that stick! We’ve actually written a couple of new songs that we’re keen to share at our upcoming gigs.
Happy: What kind of impact do you hope “Kinda Strange” will have on your listeners?
K+D: the best part of music is that while we make it for our reasons, people can listen to it for theirs. The way someone relates to our music becomes apparent when we hear our lyrics yelled back at us.
Happy: You’re known for your energetic live shows. How do you translate that energy into your recorded music?
K+D: Layers… lots of layers… we’re really lucky to have worked with people like Guy Lilleyman who are not only incredibly skilled, but also seem to have a never-ending supply of patience for our bullshit. Somehow, the end product manages to capture 3 minutes of the chaos that is Parrots.
Happy: The Canberra music scene isn’t as well-known as some other cities’ scenes. How do you think it has influenced your sound and style?
K+D: When we first started playing live shows we were taken under the wing of other musicians who big-brothered us, they showed us how they do things, and their advice has really shaped us and not only our live performances, but everything from social media, promotion, and how to stay present. It’s a real community.
Happy: Can you tell us about any upcoming projects or collaborations you have in the works?
K+D: We’re always plotting. We are currently working on the first few tracks of what will hopefully become an EP. We’re also pretty keen to get some other Canberra artists involved in our music in one way or another. That being said, Parrots will always be a two-piece.
Happy: What makes you happy?
K: lots of things. A beer on the balcony watching a sunset, yelling at a gig so hard my head hurts swimming in a beach – minus the seaweed, that shit freaks me out. But nothing compares to playing shows and hearing your lyrics screamed back at you.
D: Singing sad songs for the sad boys & girls.