If you’re yet to hear of Tired Lion, you will soon. The Perth four-piece loudly made themselves known with 2015’s I Don’t Think You Like Me, which catapulted them into national recognition, radio play, countless award nominations, and international tours. After two successful EPs, the band has finally released their debut LP, Dumb Days – and it has definitely been worth the wait.
Tired Lion’s fuzz-drenched indie-rock is reminiscent of The Pixies and The Smashing Pumpkins, lurched into modern times with Sophie Hopes’ powerful vocals and inspired songwriting. Hopes, along with drummer Ethan Darnell and guitarist Matt Tanner, first envisioned making an album six years ago in high school. Picking up bassist Nick Vasey along the way, they’ve finally realised their dream, growing together as a band in the process.
“I suppose we were all pretty juvenile when we recorded our very first single,” Hopes recounts. “It’s taken us a while to come into our own and gain the confidence to be whoever we want to be. I think we’ve come a long way since then.”
Their confidence in sound is evident, the album is relentless in hooks and ferocity right from the opener Japan – perhaps stemming from a clear vision of what they wanted to create. “You hear these stories of bands taking years to nut out ten songs,” she says. “I think once we decided on a vision, it all came together pretty easily.”
The album was produced by Luke Boerman (Violent Soho), and with his experience, the band was guided through finalising lyrics and creative decisions. On working with Boerman, Hope says that he “really understood our vision and pushed us out of our comfort zones. [He is] such a rad dude, more of a friend and fifth band member than scary producer.”
Having a nurturing environment for the album’s genesis allowed for the emotional honesty that Tired Lion are known for to really shine through. Hopes has always been open regarding mental health, the band actively trying to reduce stigma around mental illness and create a safe space.
“Throughout Dumb Days, lyrically I’m venting a lot of harboured feelings and personal feelings,” she says. “[It’s] an overall taste into the looking glass of what lies within my brain.”
However, overcoming stigma and sharing something so personal wasn’t easy for Hope. “For someone who finds it hard to let people in, I found it extremely difficult, but rewarding, once I just let go.”
Hawaiifive0 is an example of this emotional honesty, teeming with some of their strongest songwriting. The song is also something special for Hopes. “I think Hawaiifive0 would have to be my favourite [track]. It seems like a super happy song, but it’s probably the saddest I’ve ever written,” she says. The whimsical track again shows the depth and versatility of the band’s songwriting, all calypso-style riffs and sunny disposition.
When asked to summarise the album in ten words or less, Hopes didn’t opt for attempting to explore the depths of the band’s sound, or deeper lyrical messages. “Kentucky Fried Chicken, scooter comfort zone, and Med/Moy bic pens,” she says. If that’s what it took for the band to craft such a strong album, then here’s a hot tip to Bic and KFC – look into a sponsorship, ASAP.
Despite delving into Hopes’ psyche and delivering some hair-raising riffs, the band isn’t all seriousness. After all, the album is called Dumb Days. And, sure enough, in the short time they’ve been on this album’s tour cycle, there’s been plenty of dumb things happening.
“We went to the casino in Sydney after the show [and] didn’t get home until 6am one night,” says Hopes. “I said some dumb things onstage. Also, [I] made Ethan put on some gangster rap tunes mid-set while I danced around on stage, skolling out of a champagne bottle.”
Here’s to plenty more champagne mid-set, and plenty more tours from Tired Lion. Their trajectory is only up from here.
