A Quick Chat with Tear Drive

You’ve had a huge year already, releasing your debut EP Face To Face before hitting the road with The Jungle Giants and The Tullamarines. How has the band evolved since the EP came out?

I think we’ve definitely become a lot more confident as a band. Face to Face was really our introduction, so there was a lot of figuring things out as we went. Since then, we’ve played more shows then we ever had, spent more time with each other and really started to understand what Tear Drive is supposed to feel like. We’ve definitely tightened up as musicians, but more so become comfortable with being ourselves as a band.

You’re heading into BIGSOUND in the middle of a pretty busy touring period. What do you think you’ve learned about yourselves as a live band from being on the road?

I think the biggest thing is learning how to switch on no matter what’s happening around you. When you’re playing a lot of shows, not everyday is going to be perfect, but you still have to get on stage and give it everything. We’re learning how important it is to be able to walk into a room and make it ours, especially as a support band. Every audience is different, so being able to read a room, captivate people and bring them into what we’re doing is something we’re constantly working on

BIGSOUND is a chance to step outside your usual shows and play in front of a room full of music lovers and industry. What feels different about preparing for these performances?

BIGSOUND is such a staple in the Aus music industry, and you see so many bands really start to kick off after playing it. So there’s definitely a lot of pressure and nerves around it. Especially knowing this is the first time a lot of people will be seeing/hearing of us, so we want to make sure our set really represents who we are. At the same time, we’re trying to trust our instincts and not overthink it. We’ve been playing a lot lately, so the goal is really to just go in there, and play this best show we can.

Your debut EP Face To Face introduced people to Tear Drive, but you’re already back in the studio with longtime collaborator Cody McWaters. Has being on the road changed the way you’re approaching the next chapter of music?

For sure. Playing these songs live has given us a much better idea of what works for us as a band and what we want to hone in on going forward. You start hearing the songs differently after playing them night after night. I think the new stuff feels more confident and a bit more refined, while still having the things that make Tear Drive feel like Tear Drive.

You’ve worked with Cody for a while now, and there’s clearly an established creative relationship there. What is it about working together that keeps bringing you back into the studio with him?

There’s a really good level of trust there. Cody understands us and what we’re trying to do, but he’s also not afraid to challenge us when something can be better. We’ve worked together enough that we can get into the studio and just focus on making the songs as good as they can be, without having to over explain everything.

With new music taking shape behind the scenes, what can you tell us about where Tear Drive is heading next and are there any hints you can give us about what people can expect after BIGSOUND?

We’ve got a lot of new music taking shape at the moment, and it feels like a real step forward for Tear Drive, both sonically and creatively. We’ve taken a lot from everything we’ve done this year, releasing Face To Face, playing bigger shows and spending more time on the road, and that's definitely found its way into what’s coming. After BIGSOUND we’ve got more shows, more time in the studio and a lot more music on the way. We really focused on building what we've started and were excited to take that to the next level.