FESTIVAL: Second album syndrome tends to be par for the course for bands that pop up out of nowhere with a hit debut album, but New Zealand band The Naked and Famous defied all expectations last year with their critically acclaimed sophomore effort In Rolling Waves.
Their debut Passive Me, Aggressive You was a huge radio success on the back of hit singles Punching in a Dream and Young Blood, with the band immediately identified as one of the big hitters in the wave of synth pop artists that flooded the airwaves throughout 2010.
“I’m glad you brought that critical response thing up because that was a big thing for us,” guitarist and singer Thom Powers told entertainment from Los Angeles earlier this week.
“We wanted to be seen as a serious alternative rock band – we didn’t want to be lumped into that synth pop thing.
“Getting a few reviews that said it was better than the first record I just felt so validated, I was like ‘Yes, I don’t really care if we don’t get played on the radio now.”
The band, who have recently completed a North American and European tour, as well as a run on this year’s Big Day Out, will hit the Bunbury for the first time at the Groovin’ the Moo on May 10.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back and covering more ground because I feel like we haven’t been around Australia enough,” Powers said.
“I’m excited about being able to play to new people. There is always such a great vibe when you play to a crowd that hasn’t seen you before, not just coming back and doing the same old city.”
Powers said festivals always provide a high energy experience, with shows outside the major cities always offering something different.
“You really feel it in the crowds. The regional dates are generally the craziest, wildest shows,” Powers said.
“The crowds might not know what you’re about or their just excited to see something new so it is always a challenge.”
