A Quick Chat with STAHR
STAHR return with Loving Friend, a hypnotic dream pop and desert rock release that blends grit, groove and a quiet kind of heartbreak. Fronted by Grace Harris and Samuel Shepherd, the Meanjin duo lean into fuzzed guitars, smouldering rhythms and a vocal delivery that shifts between confidence and confession. The track explores the end of a fractured friendship, carrying both frustration and compassion as it moves from swaggering verses into a lush, harmony-filled chorus. After a string of dynamic singles and support slots for Boy & Bear, Olympia and Jacob Fitzgerald, Loving Friend marks another step forward. We caught up with STAHR to talk about the song and more.
Can you tell us what this track means to you and what you want people to take away from it?
A. This track represents how it feels when you wish the best and see the best in a friends or loved ones future but they do not see themselves the same way. It's frustrating because you want to shake them and let them know how great they really are. We want people remember to tell their loved ones how much you care for them and be honest. So many relationships fall apart because of built up resentment or just not knowing what's going on. Be brave and be open. People can only grow from there.
Who are some of your influences, and why?
A. Matthew Mcconaughey for the both of us is a huge inspiration because of his philosophy and outlook on life. His book Green Lights is incredible and there is so much to take away from it. Joshua Homme, Alex Turner, Lola Young and Julia Jacklin are all musicians we take inspiration from because of their authenticity and artistry that is so unique to them. On a very strange level I (Grace) actually take a lot of inspiration from Kim Kardashian haha, she's just such a powerhouse and her drive and focus is so admirable.
What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?
A. We always sit with an acoustic guitar in hand and talk about what's inspiring us at that moment, whether that is a feeling, an artist or a song. From there we see what flows, it is really important to us that a song has strong bones and sounds great with just voice and guitar before taking it to the studio. If it doesn't sound good like that, it has no chance. When we are recording all that matters is what serves the song, having great trust in our team and making sure we have made the right choices to get the best outcome.
What do you think makes a great song?
A. Grace: For me it's the story and what's being said, the music needs to surround the words because that is always the first thing I listen to. If i don't believe the story I won't even be able to care for the production and the song.
Sam: Honesty and authenticity is what makes a great song to me.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
A. Grace: Lola Young 100% her storytelling is epic, I just feel like she does not care what people think and I would love to see that come out in a writing room.
Sam: Bernard Fanning: I respect him a lot as an artist and he is Australian. I met him once and he remembered my name and I thought that was pretty cool.
When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?
A. For myself (Grace) I love to journal and just go to live music, Sam really enjoys working on and practicing guitar in his spare time.
Who are some local bands we should check out?
A. Radium Dolls, Mt Nadir, Lucid Safari, The Inadequates, Mou, Happy Valley and Ryelle are all amazing and inspiring artists.
Winter or summer and why?
A. We will have different answers here haha but I (Grace) will always go for Summer, I love the heat, but Sam is a winter guy because he likes to wear layers and says it is hard to look good in shorts.
What do you have planned to close out 2025?
A. We have just announced that we are the main support for Ryelle at her headline show at Blutes Bar 18th of December. This will be a very fun show with some new songs we are adding into the set. Other than that just working on some stuff for early next year.