A Quick Chat with JOLLEE
What are the origins of Jollee as a band? Where did it all start?
Jollee was born in 2019 out of a shared love for loud guitars, big vocals, gritty rock ’n’ roll and the freedom that comes with making music. 7 years and 7 singles later, we are finally releasing our first EP “Homewrecker”!
We’re a Gold Coast rock band made up of a bunch of passionate, slightly wild individuals who found something pretty special in creating music together.
What started as a love for playing music has grown into something much bigger than any of us expected. We’ve built a little family through Jollee, and along the way we’ve discovered just how powerful it can be when you surround yourself with people who encourage you to be completely yourself.
We’ve never been interested in fitting into a particular box. We love the grit of blues, the attitude of punk and the raw energy of good old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll. Jollee is where all those things collide, and we’re having a bloody good time with it!
Tell us a bit about the new single ‘199’. What’s the story behind it, what does it mean to the band?
199 is a pretty special one for us.
The name actually came about completely by accident. Our guitarist Michael had saved the original recording under the number 199, and somehow the name just stuck. Later, we discovered the number could be interpreted as symbolising new beginnings, which felt strangely fitting for what the song had become.
Lyrically, 199 explores what happens when you give so much of yourself to someone or something that you start losing sight of who you are. It’s about vulnerability, identity, acceptance and that sometimes-uncomfortable journey of stripping everything back to rediscover what really matters.
For us as a band, 199 represents the beginning of a new chapter. It’s about being fearless in our creativity, embracing our individuality and finding freedom in expressing ourselves without holding back. There’s something pretty beautiful about taking an experience that once made you feel powerless and turning it into something that makes you feel powerful again.
And sometimes, finding happiness is as simple as 20 spoonfuls of Milo and remembering what matters most!
Are there any inspirations the band look to beyond music when writing or performing?
Absolutely! Life itself is probably our biggest inspiration.
Human behaviour, relationships, heartbreak, humour, personal growth and all the messy, beautiful contradictions that come with being human. We’re inspired by people who aren’t afraid to be different. People who challenge expectations, embrace their quirks and have the courage to express themselves, even when it’s uncomfortable.
There’s also a huge visual and theatrical element to Jollee. We love fashion, photography, storytelling and the freedom of creating a whole world around a song. For us, performing isn’t just about playing the notes correctly. It’s about feeling something, letting go of your inhibitions and creating a moment where everyone in the room feels free to do the same.
Life’s too short to spend it pretending to be someone else.
Name the five songs that have informed the band’s songwriting more than any others.
Ænema – Tool
Guided by Angels – Amyl and the Sniffers
Cruising to Self Soothe – Ecca Vandal
Walk on the Wild Side – Lou Reed
Smooth Sailing – Queens of the Stone Age
What Australian artists are you listening to at the moment?
We’re massive supporters of Australian rock ’n’ roll, particularly artists who are keeping live music loud, unpredictable and full of personality.
We love the unapologetic punk energy of Amyl and the Sniffers, the raw power of The Southern River Band and the attitude and individuality of artists like WAAX and Ecca Vandal.
There’s something incredibly exciting about Australian musicians who aren’t trying to sound like everyone else. They’re doing their own thing, pushing boundaries and reminding people that rock ’n’ roll is very much alive.
How do you hope your music might impact listeners?
More than anything, we want people to feel free. Free to be loud, vulnerable, different, emotional, ridiculous, confident, imperfect — whatever being yourself looks like.
Music has this incredible ability to make you feel understood when you don’t quite have the words to explain what you’re going through. If someone hears one of our songs and feels a little less alone, finds the courage to walk away from something that no longer serves them, or simply feels empowered to be unapologetically themselves, then we’ve done something worthwhile.
We also want people to have fun! To dance, scream, laugh, let their hair down and forget about the world for a little while.
Jollee has given us so much more than music. It’s given us friendship, purpose, confidence and the freedom to express who we really are. If we can share even a little bit of that feeling with the people listening, that’s what it’s all about.
Be loud. Be vulnerable. Be whoever the hell you want to be.