PinkPantheress, Fleetwood Mac, Folamour: Brisbane-based quartet The Jungle Giants talks through the tracks they’ve had On Repeat whilst preparing for their UK tour.
The Jungle Giants have successfully cultivated a soundscape that can best be described in one word – summer. Off-beat drum licks (courtesy of Keelan Bijker) converse with electric and bass guitars (Cesira Aitken and Andrew Dooris), synthesised riffs, and, of course, frontman Sam Hales’ angsty falsetto vocals. Together, the Brisbane-based quartet are cooking up an Aussie storm, with all of the right ingredients that make the band’s sound feel at home whilst nestled into the montage scene of a ‘00s chick-flick (think: Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging, IYKYK).
Informed by indie and new-wave rhythms, the band are certainly on an upwards trajectory, as their sonic landscape has amassed upwards of 1.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify. It’s the kind of music you’d want to blare out of your speaker as you catch up with friends on a sunny summer’s day in the park, or fill your Airbnb as you’re getting ready for a cocktail night in a rustic nook of Europe. Now, looking inwards, Hales has been busy scribing the next chapter for The Jungle Giants, as their fifth – and most vulnerable – album is within arm’s reach, due for release in 2026.
After the end of a decade-long relationship and a jet-skiing injury, Hales let loose in the studio, penning together an album which made sense of this tumultuous period of the singer-songwriter’s life. Searching for normalcy amidst a cloud of anything but, the group’s first teaser for the album is marked by the single, “Hold My Hand”, teasing the soon-to-be, fifth album. But what would a good single release be if there wasn’t a party to celebrate its arrival? The Jungle Giants must have been listening, as the group is primed to land on British shores in July, kicking off their UK/EU tour.
Ahead of The Jungle Giants’ tour, and album launch, Wonderland caught up with the band’s bassist, Andrew Dooris, as the Aussie-born band member took control of the aux for an On Repeat.
Listen to “Hold My Hand”…
The Jungle Giants are On Repeat…
Pink Pantheress – “Tonight“
This one is an early in the night tone-setter track, perhaps while we’re preparing our stage looks – I can just picture Siz putting on her lip gloss and bopping. The booming bass, fun drum-machines make the perfect party-starter energy, and the sassy, diva spirit that comes with most PinkPantheress tracks is exactly what we all need to tap into, as we’re going through the motions preparing for stage.
1tbsp, Mietze Conte – “No Nein“
We’re huge 1tbsp fans. We’ve known Max from around Brisbane for years and this track is a beautiful example of his knack for blending beautiful atmospheric synth sounds with driving electronic percussion. Green rooms pre-show can be a pretty lively place for us, we often have a lot of friends and family roll through, so it’s important to have a party atmosphere.
Marradonna – “Out of my head – Edit”
Speaking of party atmosphere, when I came across this track I had to put it in the pre-show playlist, and it brings a smile to my face every time it comes on. I just love this brand of 90s UK piano house. I love the strings, I love the cavernous big-beat kicks. Really what more could you ask for?
Regularfantasy – “So Sweet“
This is a Cesira track, as most of these are. We like to say Siz is our favourite DJ and that’s because it’s the truth. She has impeccable taste – in bandmates and in music. Anyway, we were all blessed when she put it in the playlist. It’s stunning, sultry and gets us singing along. When this one comes in, I know we’ve got under an hour until we play.
Folamour – “Ya Just Need 2 Believe In Yaself“
I’m pretty sure Sam once cried from joy at a Folamour DJ set. If you’re not familiar with Folamour, he makes really soulful house music with an instrumental focus. This song in particular has a nostalgic, uplifting vibe, which usually soundtracks the final warm hugs we get from our friends as our tour manager clears the green room 20-30 minutes before play.
Three 6 Mafia (feat. Project Pat) – “Poppin’ My Collar“
This track is a new addition to pre-show ritual brought to us by Sam. This is a bouncy dirty-south hip-hop classic from the naughties with a lot of amazing one-liners that have us laughing and feeling ourselves in the way that only hip-hop can.
DEVO – “Whip It“
This song is an absolute classic that I was sleeping on until Keelan put it in the pre-show playlist. I love the snappy tight drums, interesting instrumentation and the riffs! It may be the perfect song to listen to while we’re going over our final checks and notes for the show just the four of us.
Eddy Current Suppression Ring – “Which Way To Go“
If The Jungle Giants had a team anthem it would be this song. We listen to this EVERY time before we go on without fail. It’s soundtracked so many special memories and moments. I actually can’t tell you about what happens when this song plays before we go onstage, but it’s big and sometimes results in injuries.
Limp Bizkit – “Rollin (Air Raid Vehicle)“
What “Which Way To Go” starts “Rollin (Air Raid Vehicle)” finishes. It’s impossible to remain still and level-headed when you have 8 minutes till you’re on stage and this song comes on, which is entirely the point. Keelan added this to the pre-show playlist last tour and we haven’t looked back since.
Fleetwood Mac – “Dreams (gigamesh edit)“
This song is a gentle singalong classic that has us floating from the green room to the stage. It’s one of the few that will get all of us howling, and has served as my vocal warm-up for the better part of 5 years.
Words – Freya Goodchild-Bridge
