We caught up with indie rock band The Burbs to talk about their latest single, the inspiration behind their music, and what drives their songwriting process. From creative influences to their plans for the future, the band opened up about their journey so far and what’s next on the horizon.
Hi! Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. How have you been?
Good. Great. Watching Imola and great to be chatting with you.
“There’s No Time For Presents” began as a crowd favorite. What made now the right time to immortalize it as a single?
Honestly, all we were thinking was let’s start getting in the studio heaps and let’s start with something easy.
The track balances raw emotional sincerity with sleek musicality. Can you walk us through how it took shape from idea to final mix?
It was just written as a letter to a friend to tell them I’m here for you no matter what. So its sorta weird to have it out in the world, it wasn’t written for that. But we’re happy with how it came together and glad that others get to hear it now. It was initially an acoustic track (there’s an acoustic version on our 2024 ‘Sunlight Spills Across The Swimming Pool’), and then later it evolved into what it is today.
There’s a sense of heartbreak laced into the lyrics. Can you please elaborate on what inspired the emotional core of this track?
It was just a story of what we were going through at the time. Often songs get written a little bit after something happens, but with this one it was written at the time, and perhaps that’s why it comes across as so emotional.
From a sonic perspective, what sets “There’s No Time For Presents” apart from earlier tracks like “Skin and Bones” or “Ladder to the Moon”?
For us, this track feels really similar to Skin and Bones, its just a bit shorter and a bit more repetitive, but we used all the same equipment and tones and stuff. Ladder To The Moon was intentionally more of a soft rock track where we tuned the snare drum lower and went for a gentler approach.
The chorus is so catchy, but the verses hold just as much weight. How do you approach balancing alt-rock sensibility with lyrical depth?
We’re trying to shake the indie rock and alt rock labels… we’re trying to get our songs sounding more like power pop each time we record. But in relation to the lyrics and balancing them with the artform of the music… we just try really hard to have no flat spots. If a section has a bland melody, it gets binned. If a lyric sucks, it gets re-written… and sometimes it’s the hardest puzzle to solve… and if we can’t solve it we don’t record it… there’s always other tracks ready to go.
How would you describe the collaborative dynamic between the three of you? Has it changed since Sunlight Spills Across The Swimming Pool?
We all push each other pretty hard and then we all go do stupid shit together to make sure we’re all still friends. Nothing much has changed in the last year or two.
When it comes to songwriting, do you typically begin with a riff, a lyric, or a feeling?
All our songs are written in the shower cos I’d rather try and fit chords under a great melody than try to figure out if there’s a great melody that might go over the top of some guitar line or whatever.
Many bands chase trends, yet The Burbs sound fresh and unique. How intentional is your creative independence?
It just ain’t that exciting doing something you think other people might also be doing ya know?
What do you feel you’ve learned, musically or personally, between your debut demo album and this newest release?
Personally, we’ve been learning how to look after each other better and making sure everyone’s enjoying what we’re doing, and sometimes that means we’ll take a month off in summer or play dumb gigs that don’t make any sense but make us excited and stuff like that. We don’t have a manager at the moment so that gives us freedom to do stuff our way which kinda helps too.
Which artists, past or present, do you feel are spiritual or sonic kindred spirits to The Burbs?
Mansun, Dinosaur Beard, Primal Scream, The Posies, Ash.
Much has been made of your growing international airplay. Has that global attention altered how you view your role in the Australian scene?
Thankyou. It feels like so much has happened… when we look in the rearview it’s a bit of a whirlwind. But it still feels like there’s much more to achieve than what’s been achieved. We still feel like a baby band. The Aussie scene is sick though. It’s a bit fucked up that most of the best bands don’t get the attention they deserve. But we’re trying to play a role in helping improve this, that’s why we created the Spotify playlist ‘Aussie local scene right now’ and we’re always trying to champion local acts who have underappreciated talent.
You’ve hinted at upcoming tour announcements for 2026. Can fans expect a new live experience shaped around this single?
We like to let our hair down when we play live. We care about energy more than about how things are structured and who’s wearing what and who says what and what’s on the setlist. We’ll just be focusing on trying to have a good time with everyone whilst also trying not to get any more lifetime bans from venues.
The title “There’s No Time For Presents” feels literal and metaphorical. What does it mean to each of you?
Its just a dumb play on words. The song was dark enough so we thought at least we could lighten things up by giving it a stupid name.
Lastly, with momentum on your side, where do you see The Burbs heading creatively in the next year? A full-length album, perhaps?
Peri’s getting a diamante on her tooth. Danny’s looking after a kitten and has started a social media cat page. We’ve got a few projects like these on the go. And yes, we’re working on three albums… the first one should be out mid next year.
Thank you so much for your time. Anything you would like to say to our readers?
Yes. Please check out Wolfie the Persian (instagram.com/persianwolfie). Sonic Energy is life. Go Oscar. Thankyou Dinosaur Beard for ruling alongside us. Its my birthday in two weeks. Thoughts Words Action is the bomb. Aliens are real. We’re playing a free gig in Geelong on Saturday. Please pray I find my keys.
Thoughts Words Action 