1.The First Song I Wrote

The first song I can remember writing was called ‘Young Son’ when I was around 13 years of age. It was about the death of an important figure in Byron Bay growing up by the name of Ben King, who died surfing. It was a pretty heavy thing to write about so young but so was the whole experience for the community. I can hum the verses but that’s about it.

2.The Last Song I Released

We’re about to release our next single titled ‘Hold Me’ – it’s from our first EP. The song is a tale of left and right and the influence our parents have on us with our core beliefs. There’s also an alien in there named Zook looking down thinking, “These cretins are insane! They’re killing each and every being they have!”

3.Songwriting Secrets

Listen to more Devo.

4.The Song That Makes Me Proud

Gang Gajang – ‘Sounds Of Then (This Is Australia)’.

5.The Song That Changed My Life

I remember hearing ‘Fortunate Son’ by Creedence Clearwater Revival for the first time off the tape collection from the Forrest Gump soundtrack that my mum used to put on in the living room. I must have been five or six; I didn’t know what he was singing about at the time or why it made my eyes water and body tingle but I knew this was the coolest and most alive I’d ever felt – maybe the most anyone’s ever felt, at least on Brandon Street.

[Borneo photo by Hannah Leser]

Borneo take the stage atMoonshine Bar, Hotel Steyne, on Friday November 25.

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine