DORK x LIVE AT LEEDS: IN THE PARK: Radio Free Alice hit the UK and may be planning to stay

With their sights set high, the Melbourne quintet embark on their first UK tour, armed with a new single and an eclectic EP to follow. With an appearance at Live At Leeds: In The Park coming up this weekend, catch our DORK x LIVE AT LEEDS: IN THE PARK festival guide coverage feature.

Words: Stephen Ackroyd.
Photos: Madeleine Purdy.

Nestled in the cozy confines of Folklor, a charming London venue, Radio Free Alice is gearing up for its second UK show. The Melbourne quintet of Noah Learmonth (vocals, guitar), Michael Phillips (bass, saxophone), Jules Paradiso (guitar), Maayan Bar Natan (keyboards) and Lochie Dowd (drums) have just started their inaugural act. UK tour and the excitement is palpable.

“We played YES Basement in Manchester a few days ago to kick off this run,” reveals Noah, as the band set up in the venue’s bar area. The tour marks a significant milestone for Radio Free Alice, who have been making waves in their hometown’s thriving music scene.

The band’s origins can be traced back to Noah and Jules’ high school days when they started playing together at the tender age of 14 under the name Machine Gun Etiquette, explains Noah. “The band went through a few iterations, but about two and a half years ago, Michael and Lochie joined us after we moved to Melbourne. I met Michael and Lochie through Melbourne Uni. We played in a four piece for about 18 months until Maayan joined on keyboards. I met Maayan through the Melbourne music scene. We played together in another band called the Daily Commuters and that’s how we got close.”

Melbourne, it seems, was a catalyst for the growth and development of Radio Free Alice as a band. “Melbourne is brilliant for music. So many talented, interesting bands, and it’s an extremely inclusive community,” Noah enthuses. “There are about a dozen local bands that are prominent in the underground scene and no one in the industry knows who could easily be massive. For us, the move from Sydney to Melbourne was huge.”

Now aiming to take the UK music scene by storm, Radio Free Alice embark on their first ever tour across the pond. “I arrived in the UK a few days ago. So far we’ve only played one show in Manchester with the Belair Lip Bombs and the Cardinals which was great. Manchester as a city looks sick as well,” Noah recounts. “We were based in London, staying at a friend’s house – specifically on the sofa – so most of the time was spent walking around the streets checking out lots of touristy stuff. I went to a comedy club last night, actually, which was a donation based payment system, and the comedians were actually funny. We got angry.”

We really hope not literally.

“Melbourne is brilliant for music. So many talented and interesting bands”

Noah Learmonth

The band’s long-term plans involve a potential move to the UK, and this tour serves as a way to test the waters. “We’ve got our eyes on the UK as we’ll probably move somewhere at some point, although we’re not sure when yet. This time in London, which should be three months in and out, is a small sample of what life could be like if we moved. I guess mostly we’re looking forward to experiencing what it’s like to live in the UK as a musician,” reveals Noah.

While the band admit they’re not the most seasoned travelers (“I wouldn’t say we’re great at traveling. We’ve already filled up some stuff at customs that we’ve had to do. We’ve never missed a flight, though, so that’s something” , Noah admits), are excited to dive into the UK music scene. They’re looking forward to catching Baxter Dury when they hit Live At Leeds later this month. “We love him. Hanging out with Baxter would be amazing,” gushes Noah.

Radio Free Alice’s latest single ‘2010’ is a testament to their knack for crafting introspective and relatable songs. “Lyrically, the song is about being young and wanting to be in love in an illegal way. It’s kind of about a boy who fantasizes about a Thelma and Louise-type romance, but the closest he can get to his Louise is writing his name under hers on a bathhouse. It’s about teenage loneliness, I think,” Noah explains.

“We’ve got our eye on the UK as we’ll probably move somewhere at some point”

Noah Learmonth

The band’s compositions often revolve around themes of love and young relationships, but their upcoming EP promises to be more diverse. “I often find myself telling stories of young love, which I hate, but sometimes I can’t stand them. At least that was the first EP. Basically all the songs on it are about relationships. This one, apart from “2010”, is more eclectic. More extrospective, but always sentimental on some level,” says Noah.

One of the most interesting songs on their upcoming EP, “Spain”, was inspired by a rather unusual moment. “The refrain is, ‘We could argue in Spain.’ That song was inspired by a moment I witnessed, which was a middle-class couple fighting across the ocean, and I thought it was funny how fighting in an exotic vacation destination is a staple of middle class success. Having the luxury of going to a place like Spain just to have a ‘couple turn,’” Noah recounts.

When it comes to their long-term goals, Radio Free Alice is not shy about their hopes and dreams. “We’re an ambitious band and we try not to be shy about it, although it seems like sometimes you should be. It would be nice to play the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury,” admits Noah.

With their infectious energy, lyrics to match and a sound that blends post-punk sensibilities with a distinctly Aussie flavour, Radio Free Alice are ready to make their mark. As they rush to continue their first ever UK tour, it’s clear that this is just the start of an exciting new chapter. And hey, maybe we get to keep them for a while too. Would not it be nice? ■

Radio Free Alice’s new single ‘2010’ is out now. Play Live At Leeds: In The Park on Saturday 25 May 2024. Get tickets and find out more now at liveatleeds.com. Check out Dork’s PLAY Spotify playlist here.