Name: Rum Jungle
Members: Benny McIntyre (vocals, guitar), Josh Giles (guitar), Michael Kolmajer (bass guitar), Frazer McDonald (drums)
Nationality: Australian  
Current release: Rum Jungle's new single "Chaffeur" is out now. The band are also gearing up for an expansive European tour. Catch them live here:



Recommendations: George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass album is incredible. My favourite discovery from when I was heavily into the Beatles and their solo work. I would give anything to hear that album for the first time.
There was also this incredible piece of art I saw at a gallery in my hometown recently. It was this amazingly stitched canvas with strange characters and situations happening that i fell in love with. I can’t remember what it was called so you’ll just have to believe me.

If you enjoyed this Rum Jungle interview and would like to know more about the band and their music, visit their official homepage. They are also on Instagram, and Facebook.



When I listen to music, I see shapes, objects and colours. What happens in your body when you're listening? Do you listen with your eyes open or closed?

I’m not lucky enough to have visuals when listening to music but it’s still my favourite thing to do.

I listen with my eyes open more often than not because I’m driving and without fail will always spark my thoughts with song ideas from the inspiration of listening.

Entering/creating new worlds through music has always exerted a strong pull on me. What do you think you are drawn to most when it comes to listening to and creating music?

I think for me it’s just seeing what idea falls out of thin air and taking it where it wants to go.

I rarely start a song with a clear direction but having the freedom to allow a song to go in whichever way with no restraints is the best.

According to scientific studies, we make our deepest and most incisive musical experiences between the ages of 13-16. What did music mean to you at that age and what’s changed since then?

I think that makes a lot of sense. When I was younger, I would tell my dad he listened to the Beatles too much. By the time I turned 15 I was obsessed and like I’m sure with many other millions of people that changed my world at the time.

It almost means more to me now than it did before because of the experiences I’ve had. I understand the music and the story behind music because I have my own experiences from behind the scenes.

Tell me about one or two of your early pieces that you're still proud of (or satisfied with) – and why you're content with them.

Our song “figure it out someday” is one that I’m really proud of.



I’m not much of a guitarist so the guitar line to me felt like I’d really written something interesting. Pairing that with some lyrics that I’m incredibly proud of that really means something has made that song important to me.

The message of it still feels relatable to me and hopefully it does for other people too.

What is your current studio or workspace like? What instruments, tools, equipment, and space do you need to make music?

My home studio is in a little room out the back of my wonderful flat I share with my partner. It’s a simple setup but it’s all I need. We jam us four lads in there from time to time to work on new songs which is like playing Tetris with bodies.

We’re working on a new studio in our hometown that should be ready this year though and I can’t wait to see how that turns and hear the music we get to make in it.

We don’t need much tools or equipment to make music, just an acoustic guitar. That said we’ll take all the tools we can get!

From the earliest sketches to the finished piece, tell me about the creative process for your current release, please.

“Chauffeur” came while I was walking to my front door from parking my car. I grabbed the acoustic when I got in and recorded a little voice memo with the chords that were floating about in my head with some mumbled lyrics over the top. From there it just sprouted really fast into a full song that I demoed in my home studio.

It was only written a few weeks before we took it into a proper studio with our mates Tasker and Jack. From a few chaotic late nights, we pulled this song out and it became what it is today. I’m really happy with how it turned out.

What role and importance do rituals have for you, both as an artist and a listener?

I’m not much of a superstitious person. I’ve tried to make some rituals for myself but there’s no rhyme or order to my life so it’s quite hard to get into any habits.

I think before we play live is our only ritual where we’ll tell each what we’re grateful for and tell each other we love each other.

Are you acting out parts of your personality in your music which you couldn't or wouldn't in your daily life? If so, which are these?

Not really myself. I’m a fairly open book and most of our music reflects that.

I think it’s actually more so that I enjoy trying to get into another person’s mind or thought process. What would this person do in this situation? How would they feel? What would happen because of that?

So, a lot of our songs are just explorations of another person’s emotions.

Do you feel that your music or your work as an artist needs to have a societal purpose or a responsibility to anyone but yourself?

I think every artist is different. For me I want to give people a feeling whether that’s happiness or thoughtfulness.

I think it’s amazing if you can change the world with your art and that’s exactly what we would like to do in a positive way.

Late producer SOPHIE said: “You have the possibility [...] to generate any texture, and any sound. So why would any musician want to limit themselves?” What's your take on that?

I think we should always be pushing new boundaries where we can.

I don’t want to make the exact same kind of music forever, the beauty in music is that it can always change and be fluid.

Once a piece is done and released, do you find it important that listeners understand it in a specific way? How do you deal with “misunderstandings?”

Sometimes misunderstandings can be better than the original intended meaning. Just like all people are entitled to their own opinion, I think everyone’s entitled to their own interpretation of a song.

I have my own meanings for our tunes and I’ll share them if asked but otherwise I enjoy hearing other people interpretations.

Sound, song, and rhythm are all around us, from animal noises to the waves of the ocean. What, if any, are some of the most moving experiences you've had with these non-human-made sounds? In how far would you describe them as “musical”?

Josh, Maje and I were on a camping trip a few years back on this amazing coastal campsite. The sun was going down and there were some whales moving past and hearing them and seeing them was something I’ll always remember as one of my happiest times.

Everything is musical if you listen, I had a mate who would tell me what key a fan was blowing in, you just need to listen.

We can surround us with sound every second of the day. The great pianist Glenn Gould even considered this the ultimate delight. How do you see that yourself and what importance does silence hold?

Silence is a hard thing to find in this day and age but it’s so important to be able to think. We’re constantly given stimulation at every point of our day so having a moment of silence to account for what’s actually happening in your day or life is so important.

That said I rarely do that to the point that I’ll wear earphones to sleep.

Do you feel as though writing or performing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?

I think there would be people who find as much joy in making a good cup of coffee as I get from playing a great show and I’m happy for them.

I think I’m in a lucky enough position to do what we do that I get to share the experience with hundreds or at times thousands of people at once. I think it’s just the sheer joy that can be expressed through singing music with people, all focused on this one thing that means something different for everyone but makes us all feel together in so many ways.

What is a music related question that you would like to ask yourself – and what's your answer to it?

What’s my mums favourite band? I’m pretty sure it’s the Rolling Stones.