LARGE MIRAGE
From their analogue-driven sound to psychedelic explorations and major festival stages, Australian rockers LARGE MIRAGE discuss technology, musical authenticity, their new EP Wildfire, and what lies ahead.
1. Your new single Watching explores our increasingly complicated relationship with technology, surveillance, and the pressure of living in a constantly connected world. What inspired this concept, and what message do you hope listeners will take away from the song?
The virtual realm and our daily dependence on it has always been a fascinating concept to me. That sense of constantly watching and being watched seems to permeate every aspect of life. Watching’s anti-chorus says the message – they sell us the world, but it could all be over in one wrong virtual move.
2. Watching was recorded live without click tracks or samples, reflecting your commitment to an authentic, old-school sound. Why is this organic recording approach so important to LARGE MIRAGE, and how did working with producer Michael Badger help capture that energy?
To me, music is played by humans with instruments, and I don’t understand any other way. The sounds of the analogue era are what I grew up with and came to recognise as the sound of music. Michael Badger knows that kind of music inside out and has a fantastic ear. We always road test songs live for 6 months before recording them, so when it came to the studio, he knew to just help get the sounds right and let the band fly.
3. Your music draws heavily from the spirit of classic rock while maintaining a distinctive psychedelic identity. How do you balance those vintage influences with your desire to create something fresh and relevant for today’s audiences?
Classic sounds are what define music to me, but good songwriting comes first and transcends eras. The melodies, chords, structures, lyrics, and meanings are influenced by all kinds of music I’ve heard, not just classic rock. The arrangement, performance, and recording are what keeps the songs well and truly in the that golden analogue vibe – some day I’d love to hear a modern-sounding artist cover my songs!
4. You’ve had the opportunity to support legendary acts such as AC/DC and TISM. What were those experiences like, and what did performing in front of such large and diverse audiences teach you about yourselves as musicians?
Playing in front of tens of thousands of people is a surreal experience – I couldn’t feel my legs! Luckily those bands’ fans are serious lovers of rock music, and we clicked with them immediately. We’re fortunate to have played so many of our own shows on the road, so when it comes to playing big stages, the band have honed the show. The lesson – play every show like it’s your last!
5. Watching is the second single from your forthcoming EP Wildfire. How does this track fit into the broader musical direction of the EP, and what can fans expect from the remaining material?
The EP takes us on a journey from the physical world in the first single Wildfire, through the intense virtual realm of Watching, into a transcendental peak in the final track, which is a ten-and-a-half minute psychedelic odyssey that will only be heard on vinyl outside of two radio edits!
The second side of the EP features some favourite songs from our back catalogue, but recorded live at a couple of different venues – one being an Accor Stadium show with AC/DC! And if you know Large Mirage you’ll know that you’ll be able to sing along, but you’ll be hearing things you’ve never heard before!
6. Your upcoming Watching tour will take you across Australia, with a performance at BONFEST in Scotland scheduled for 2027. What excites you most about bringing your music to these audiences, and what are your ambitions for LARGE MIRAGE beyond this tour?
Australian audiences are the best in the world and we owe everything to them, so we just want to bring our music to as many people around the country as possible. International brings a whole new challenge, and rock music is thriving in a whole different way at the moment – so first to honour the brilliant Bon Scott, then on to bold new music and a bigger show!