Interview and Photos by Jordan Edwards
Your EP Racer just came out. What have you done to celebrate the release?
Miranda: We’re so excited that Racer is out! We’re planning on doing a lot of touring, which will be so much fun. Can’t wait to race this EP around the world. We’re also dreaming of having a cake with the EP cover on it. Doesn’t seem like a big goal, but it’s a special one for us haha.
The single “Last Man Standing” sounds like ABBA on caffeine. What’s the song about?
Jade: Love that description! “Last Man Standing” is the heart of the EP. It’s about showing up with everything you’ve got, and doing something for the love and pure passion of it. It’s that moment at the end of the night when you and your friends are still on the dance floor, not ready to leave, because you’re actually having the best time. It’s about resilience, connection, and knowing what really matters. If clubbing is our sport, this is our anthem. As for the ABBA of it all, I grew up in an ABBA tribute band with my family, so some of that nostalgia definitely snuck in there.
It’s been a couple of years since the Should We Go Dance? EP. How has the music evolved since then?
Miranda: Should We Go Dance? Is the foundation we’ve been building off in the last few years. In that first EP, we really established that we love dance music. We want lyrics that have depth and meaning, and we want to champion female friendship and stories. In those regards, nothing has changed, but our sound has evolved as we’ve explored new ways to showcase all of those things. We’ve played with new sonic textures, tempos and emotions, but it always comes back to that beating heart of who we are.
How did you meet and decide to make music together?
Lauren: We were actually all solo artists before the band started. I was working as a producer and thought it’d be fun to make some synth pop with some girls I knew just for fun! Jade and Miranda actually didn’t know each other before I arranged their band-marriage. We ended up releasing the very first song we wrote together called “Softly Spoken,” and people really came to the party. We initially thought it was a side project but eventually realized that we were a band, and the rest is history!
The group doesn’t seem to have a clear frontperson. Is that intentional?
Miranda: 100%. Because we each had our own individual music careers happening when the band started, it felt natural to showcase each other’s talents in an equal way. It’s an exciting way to do things because it means everyone gets to be the shining light, and we can all switch roles. It also makes for a really fun live show where we swap instruments and all sing and dance. We hadn’t really seen an Australian supergroup like that before, so it’s fun to be doing something different.
Do you have a method or process to your songwriting, or is it different every time?
Jade: It changes every time. Sometimes Lauren will bring in a beat, or I’ll bring in a melody, or Miranda will play a bass line. Sometimes we’ll just be chatting and someone will say ‘that’s actually a great idea for a song’. We all journal and write lyrics in our spare time, so inspiration can come from that place as well. Without a set method, we can each really tap into the brightest feelings and most creative parts of ourselves.
Is there a specific drum machine or sampler responsible for the Blusher sound? Are you guys gear nerds?
Lauren: We are definitely production nerds. There isn’t a specific drum machine but the main sampler we use is one that we make from each of our voices, it’s kind of the through line of the Blusher production sound. It felt important from the get go to do something unique with the production, something personal that you can’t download. There are so many incredible pre-packaged sounds out there, I find it inspiring to try to make something genuinely new.
What’s your favorite thing about visiting America?
Lauren: Honestly it might be a little boring to say, but the abundance of music is incredible. I saw two of my all time favourite bands in the last two weeks (LCD Soundsystem and Grouplove) and I really thought I would never have the opportunity to see them. On another topic, I also love the birdlife. I could stare at a hummingbird all day haha. We’re super lucky to spend so much time in America.
Name an Aussie artist more Americans should know about?
Jade: We love Sycco! It’s upbeat, electronic synth crossed with tame impala esq basslines and driving drums + she just has the coolest voice. J’adore.
What are your plans coming up?
Lauren: We’re in training at the moment for some shows we’re super excited to announce soon. Can’t wait to celebrate with our team and everyone listening along!
