Swimsuit Issue are making waves as the Sunshine Coast based Indie Punk band look to release their album in 2021.
Swimsuit Issue burst onto the scene last year with their single ‘Hey You,’ as the first offering from their upcoming debut album. Most recently, they released catchy track ‘The Feeling,’ which is another cheeky taste of things to come.
Guitar and lead vocalist Danny Mann has already been part of some successful bands including Townhallsteps and Invaders (UK based). On tour, he’s joined AWOLNATION, Avril Lavigne, Simple Plan, Gyroscope and One Dollar Short.
We sat down with Danny as well as bassist Rhys Fox and drummer Tom Murphy to discuss influences, hometowns and karaoke.
How did your artist name come about?
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I (Danny) am a massive fan of Sonic Youth and in particular the song Swimsuit Issue from the album Dirty.. So I thought it would be a pretty sweet name for a band!
How would you describe your music to your grandma?
I would say hey Nan! it has all the tasty ingredients like one of your sunday roasts! crunchy hot spuds, juicy meats, a healthy side of veg and just the right amount of Gravy to top it off. Oh and a nice glass of Malbec to wash it down.. I’m pretty sure she would love it. She did love a few reds and a dance haha.
Tell us about a few of your tracks; their titles and what they’re about?
‘Hit it with you’ – That is a song which features guest vocals by Dorah Jacson and pedal steel guitar by Jye perry banks.
It is a song that I wrote when I was up the beach camping, I was lying down on the sand with headphones on listening to some old school country, nicely baked and reminiscing on some magical times that I spent with my fiance travelling around Mexico and in Particular Los Cerritos where we sat on the rooftop of our condo every afternoon after a day surfing looking over the point and the ocean while sipping tequila and cervezas and listening to old time music.
The song has a country influence and it takes me back whenever I play it.
‘Addict’ – A song about my battles with various addictions and the struggle to keep them under control. The song was the 1st song that Tom and I wrote in Tom’s garage in 20 minutes. The opening riff we jammed on and the rest just poured out!
‘Golden Days’ – Is a upbeat happy song about realising that sometimes I need to take a step back, breath and realise that I have a great life and to live in the moment as this is living and these are the golden days right now! It could all be taken away for any of us at any moment.
‘My Mind’ – Was first written as an old school country murder ballad. It is a fictitious story of a serial killer told through his own words which give you an insight into his crazed mind. Its a short punch punk rock song
What do you love about your hometown?
It’s a small coastal town surrounded by natural beauty, we have amazing beaches, an island just off shore, mountains, waterfalls close by and the people are great! Ziggy Alberts is a notable local.
Career highlight so far?
As a band, it would be having our song Addict played on JJJ Short fast loud and also MMM Hard N Heavy! also our single The Feeling being played, added to rotation and premiered on KXFM in Orange County CA.
Also the last show in our home town was huge!
Fave non-music hobby?
Surfing or cooking on my smoker BBQ haha. Oh and I love mowing the lawn.
What’s on your dream rider?
Ice cold XXXX bitter, top shelf selection of tequila, a BBQ, fresh mackerel, octopus to cook up and some mashed potato.
Dream music collaboration?
Ciggerettes after sex and Swimsuit Issue collab or Amy Shark! Or Willie Nelson, Chino Moreno & Nick Cave.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Sitting on that rooftop back in Los Cerritos Mexico with my partner watching the sun go down reflecting on an album we just tracked at Sonic Ranch studios in Texas would be great.
‘Where is my mind?’ by the Pixies or ‘Roll Me Up and Smoke Me’ by Willie Nelson.
Although lately I find myself doing ‘Baby Shark’ karaoke with my 18 month old daughter Maggie.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Never stop doing what you love, if you love it and you are doing it and pushing your boundaries then that’s success.
What’s one obsession you have that no one would guess after listening to your music?
Taking photos. The majority of photos we use for artwork and imagery are photos I have taken on my travels. All the places I write about in the songs…I’m also obsessed with climbing mount Coolum everyday.
You can read more about this topic over at the Indie Observer.
