The Wombats are a force to be reckoned with. The indie pop evergreens only get bigger and bolder with each album – truly, Wombat-mania is upon us, and we are most definitely here for it.

Genial gents, The Wombats recently released ‘Oh! The Ocean’ – album number six, fact fans – and promptly stormed up the charts all over again. Out-lasting their peers, the band’s bold, loyal fanbase has stuck with them, maturing in parallel fashion.

So, expect an album of ridiculous ear-worm hooks, and some parenting advice – The Wombats are growing up, but never giving in.

Before the chaos of touring life truly hits, CLASH caught up with the band’s very own Murph and Dan, to check in on what they’ve been up to, what’s coming up, and their oceanic new album…

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Hey, thanks for fitting us into your schedule! It sounds like it’s been crazy, hopefully today you’ve managed to get some rest?

Murph: Yeah, I’m in London today and I’ve been doing a lot of promo. Been to Berlin, Paris and London. But it’s good though, it’s good to be busy.

So, this is what, Album No. 6…? How are you feeling about releasing something new out into the world?

Murph: I’m feeling pretty good about the release. These days and weeks before, they’re always weird. Something that felt very private to me is now about to become ready for public consumption… it’s always a strange feeling but ultimately, I’m very proud of the album. I’m happy for it to set sail.

How has your writing and creating process changed as you’ve moved countries, faced new technologies that are impacting the music industry etc? 

Murph: The process hasn’t really changed for me or The Wombats. It’s very much get in a room and freak out until you’ve got something. We do live in separate countries now, and it’s been that way for about nine years to be honest. We’re kind of used to it; there’s just a bit more flying than other bands I think.

Around 2015, when we moved labels it was kind of a freaky time for music. It was the end of physical and downloading, and the transition to streaming. I kind of feel like we’re in one of those [moments] now perhaps and I don’t know what’s on the horizon.

Has your TikTok success influenced your songwriting?

Murph: That whole ‘Greek Tragedy’ remix was pure madness. It felt like it happened to a different band. The remix that went viral on TikTok, I still haven’t heard more than 30 seconds of it. I’m not a TikTok person, it doesn’t really influence the songwriting.

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Tell us more about ‘Oh! The Ocean’, the origin story. Where does the title come from?

Murph: Yeah, the album title came to me after a particularly freaky morning. We drove about an hour and a half south of LA to Orange County. My wife was off looking after my daughters. they were playing on the sand and I was just stood on the beach, looking out at the waves and the ocean. I just had this kind of spiritual, mushroomy-esque experience really. I was looking out at the ocean and it was like it was the first time I’d ever seen it. I was truly present for about 10 minutes and in awe of life, I guess.

It was a kind of out of body experience and I realised, I had this feeling that science really doesn’t explain that much about life or consciousness as I had previously thought. All my daily cyclical thoughts, all the shit that we get caught up in all disappointed in that 10-15 minutes. I was just stood there looking out at this thing in shock.

What track are you most excited to release into the world?

Murph: It’s hard. I like this album as a body of work. I don’t particularly want to dissect it up. But there’s a song called ‘Gut-Punch’ which is no. 5 on the album. It’s kind of a sad boy banger, which is kind of my favourite music to consume to be honest, so I am excited to see what the reaction to that one is like.

We’ve seen that alongside all of this, your solo projects are continuing to develop and thrive. How do you navigate these individual creative pursuits whilst still creating as a band?

Dan: I’ve released four solo albums now under the moniker Dan The Man, and two albums and an EP with Tord as Sunship Balloon. Both are amazing outlets for my brain [they’ve] been a playground for me as a musician, writer and producer to process my thoughts in a slightly different way than I do in The Wombats.

All three of us have side projects, it’s so healthy for any band to have, it keeps us learning and curious and really frees up space in the mental hard drive so we feel fresh and invigorated when we get back together!

What bands are on your watch list, we know you’re big champions of Liverpool lads Red Rum Club, but is there anyone else of note that you think we should be onto? 

Dan: I did some writing with Zuzu recently, she’s absolutely amazing. She might have new music coming out this year, so watch out for that… And the incredible BC Camplight too, he has been recording with some friends of mine in Liverpool, in the same building I have a studio in, and I’m really looking forward to hearing what they’ve been up to!

Typically bands with songs as big and popular as ‘Kill the Director’ and ‘Let’s Dance to Joy Division’ can get a bit tired of them (I’m thinking Oasis and Liam’s hatred for ‘Wonderwall’), we were wondering if that was the same for you? 

Murph: Thankfully we aren’t tired of playing the old songs. I mean, we get to watch a crowd go ape-shit and that feels good. When I look down at the setlist, [‘Let’s Dance to Joy Division’] being the next song still gets me giddy and excited. If we were in a rehearsal situation, you know, would we practice it? Probably not, we’ve played it a gazillion times. But when it comes to the live show, it always feels good to play songs that make the crowd feel good.

And last but not least, will the wombats be coming with you on these ventures? Or are you mixing it up this year, maybe a cat or, I don’t know, a snake, and giving the wombats a holiday?

Murph: The furry wombats will be out in force for these arena shows. We’re trying not to make too big a deal out of them, but we’ve got 12 of the suits now, we feel like we should be using them. No cats, no snakes. But there will be other exciting, crazy things that we’re yet to lock in for that UK tour.

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Exciting, crazy things sound like something worth keeping an eye out for. Catch The Wombats on their arena tour:

March
18 Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
19 London The O2
21 Cardiff Utilita Arena
22 Manchester AO Arena
25 Glasgow OVO Hydro
26 Leeds First Direct Arena

Words: Megan Walder 

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