From 'Home' to Headliners: The Rise of Good Neighbours

Interviews, music, Music Reviews, Photography

From ‘Home’ to Headliners: The Rise of Good Neighbours

Good Neighbours, an indie-pop duo from the UK, transitioned from solo artists to a successful collaborative act, achieving viral success with their single “Home,” and are embarking on a world tour. They talk with contributor Katie Ferrier about where they’ve been and their hopes for the future.

Karma Magazine

6th May 2025

7–11 minutes

article, concert, good neighbours, interview, karmamag, music, newmusic, Photography, review

Words and photos by Kate Ferrier

It’s early evening in Stirling, and the energy emitting from soundcheck is electric. In just a few hours, Good Neighbours – one of the UK’s fastest-rising indie-pop duos, will be playing to a sold-out crowd, but in typical fashion, Scott Verrill and Oli Fox are calm, easygoing, and in good spirits, chatting about food spots and new gear rather than stressing over the setlist. As we take a seat outside, their unfiltered honesty makes it feel like you’ve known them for years.

Formed almost by accident, Good Neighbours began as a side project, a creative outlet for two solo artists turned writers. “We were both writing for other people, mostly pop stuff,” Scott recalls. “On our evenings off, we made some grungy projects and then some dance stuff, just because we were bored and had some energy to burn. Then one night we stumbled on this synth, the one that opens Ripple, and we just knew. That’s when we were like, ‘Let’s make a band.’”

The duo’s name, “Good Neighbours,” started as a joke, a tongue-in-cheek reference to their studio proximity. But when they anonymously sent out a batch of demos under that name, the response was instant. “No one was replying to emails as writers,” Oli explains. “So we made an email, sent the songs out, and that afternoon, everyone replied. Just because they didn’t know it was us.”

From Solo Artists to Something New

Before Good Neighbours, both Scott and Oli had established solo careers. “I saw you open for Sigrid,” I mention to Oli. “And Scott – I had Sad Songs on repeat in 2019.” Oli shakes his head, “I was thinking the other day, I want my old stuff culled from the internet.” Scott nods in agreement. “Yeah, erased completely. We went hard on our solo stuff for years. We were both over it.”

Their solo releases were still fresh in 2022, but Good Neighbours pulled them in fast. “This just felt… needed,” Oli says. “In a way we didn’t expect. It turned into something we could actually do full-time. People wanted to see us live.”

Viral Moments and Learning Not to Chase Them

Their debut single Home now has over 300 million streams. It’s the kind of breakout hit most artists dream of, but they admit they almost didn’t release it. “We didn’t even play it live at first,” Oli reveals. “It was just… fine. Solid. But it wasn’t the one we thought would hit.”

“Yeah, Keep It Up was supposed to be the first big one,” Scott adds. “We had this whole plan. But then Home blew up online, and it skewed all of our plans in the best way.”

TikTok played a huge role in that success, but they approach the platform with more caution now. “At the start we were like, ‘How can we make this go viral again?’” Oli admits. “But that’s exactly what you shouldn’t do. You should just be putting up stuff that you think is really good on the internet, and if it lands, it lands. Otherwise, you’re trying to control something that no one knows how to control,”. Scott adds, “We feel like we broke the POV trend. After Home, TikTok changed their algorithm.” These days, they focus on creating content they enjoy. “It’s an afterthought now,” Oli says. They just want to make stuff that feels good. If it connects, even better.

Starry Eyed

Good Neighbours’ most recent release, Starry Eyed, came together unexpectedly. “We were in LA,” Scott recalls. “Had a whole different release plan. Then this happened.” Oli picks up the story. “Scott was playing this banjo, restrung with nylon strings – just ridiculous – and started playing these chords. First thing he played, I thought, ‘There’s no way this is the first idea.’ But we looped it, wrote the whole thing over those chords, and it just worked. The chords don’t even change.” They laugh at the absurdity of it.

The Reality of Life on Tour

When asked about writing while on tour, their tone shifts. “I hate it,” Oli says flatly. “When you’re a kid, you imagine coming off stage, sweaty, throwing the towel over your shoulder, and just rocking out. But the reality is, you’ve just eaten Shake Shack, you’ve got indigestion, and the speakers are falling down. You’re both just sitting there, wanting to fall asleep. It’s nothing like the dream. I don’t know why people do it.” Scott laughs. “Yeah, there’s nothing cool about it. But I guess we’re part of that world now, the tour vlog community.”

One track that came out of those long days is Weekend Boy, a slower, more stripped-back moment on their debut EP. “I just wanted a song where I didn’t have to sing so high,” Oli says. “I started humming this melody over and over. Then Scott came back in and was like, ‘mm that’s nice’ and then we parked it, but then it became this nice complete opposite energy that we could put on the EP to give everyone a bit of an ear-break.. and it finishes the first EP, which is really nice, it feels that it leads you on where we’re about to go.”

From FIFA to Benson Boone

In perhaps their most surreal moment to date, Good Neighbours now have a song on the FIFA soundtrack – alongside their very own football kit. “We played our second gig and someone goes, ‘There’s a lady from FIFA here,’” Oli remembers. “She came up to us after and said, ‘Your song’s going on the game.’ Handshake, vibes, and everything. I’ve played FIFA since I was a kid. It was unreal.”

Touring with acts like Benson Boone and Foster The People has given them a crash course in what it means to share the stage with seasoned artists. “ It’s been so good, Benson and Foster The People are so different, so we’ve learned so much from both of them.” Scott says. “Benson works so hard. A superstar in every sense of the word.” Oli adds, “Foster The People were amazing too, just relentless. And they’ve been through what we’re going through now, with Pumped Up Kicks.”

Looking Ahead

As they continue their Adolescence Tour, Good Neighbours are making stops in smaller towns, places many artists skip. “I grew up in a small town,” Oli says. “Used to listen to MGMT on the bus to sixth form. That music gave me escapism. We wanted to bring that kind of moment to places that usually get skipped.”

Despite only having one song out when they first toured, they were never worried about filling the set. “We had loads of songs already written,” Scott says. “But people genuinely thought we’d just loop Home for 40 minutes.” A few covers also helped round things out.

This year, Good Neighbours were shortlisted for both the BBC Sound of 2025 and the BRITs Rising Star Award – a surreal milestone for a band barely a year into their journey. “They actually make you pose with the trophy,” Oli laughs. “There’s a photo on my phone of us holding the award we didn’t win.” Despite not taking home the prize, the recognition landed deeply. “We were in the middle of endless touring, so having something like that to look forward to meant a lot,” Scott says. Oli nods, adding, “Our manager called us while we were at our guitarist’s birthday party, and Scott and I just yelped in this beer garden, it’s the last thing you ever expect to hear in your first year of making music. To go from zero to that… I don’t think anyone expected it, especially not us.”

The Dream

And the dream? “Glasto,” they both agree. “And a BRIT,” Oli adds. “We’ve got that taste now.” As for advice to artists just getting started?

“Make music for yourself,” Oli says. “Let it attract the right people.” Scott nods. “Don’t chase. Just trust your gut.”

Collaborations Ahead

Looking ahead, Good Neighbours are excited to explore new directions in their music. Although their debut album is still in the works, they’re already thinking about collaborations for future projects. “We really want to open it up with other artists,” Scott says. “We’ve got a lot of ideas for the next phase.”

Oli agrees, adding, “Yeah, I’d love to bring in some female energy. I think it would blend really well with what we’re doing.” They even started talks with Remi Wolf, but the timing didn’t work out. “Hopefully, next year we’ll make it happen,” Scott says, smiling at the thought of it.

Quickfire Round

First gig?
Scott: Green Day at Milton Bowl
Oli: Barney the Dinosaur at Wembley Arena

Dream festival headline?
Scott: Glasto
Oli: Coachella

Favourite lyric you’ve written?
Both: “I look so good I could cry”

Song you wish you’d written?
Oli: I Wanna Get Better – Bleachers
Scott: Be My Own Boyfriend – Olivia Dean

Post-show snack?
Scott: Shake Shack
Oli: Coconut Water

Football team?
Oli: West Ham
Scott: “N/a, No comment.”

If not music?
Scott: Candle Maker
Oli: Photographer

What colour is your music?
Oli: Sky blue

One song for the readers?
Oli: Photo ID – Remi Wolf
Scott: Bang Bang Bang – Mark Ronson

Catch Good Neighbours Live this spring and summer on their tour.

United States:

Apr 30, 2025 – The Basement, Nashville, TN
May 2, 2025 – Will’s Pub, Orlando, FL
Jun 12, 2025 – Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA (with Mumford & Sons)
Jun 14, 2025 – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre, West Valley City, UT (with Mumford & Sons)
Jun 17, 2025 – Ruoff Music Center, Noblesville, IN (with Mumford & Sons)
Jun 18, 2025 – Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH (with Mumford & Sons)
Jun 20, 2025 – Xfinity Center, Mansfield, MA (with Mumford & Sons)
Jun 21, 2025 – Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI
Jun 22, 2025 – Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD (with Mumford & Sons)
Jun 24, 2025 – Budweiser Stage, Toronto, ON (with Mumford & Sons)
Aug 1, 2025 – Hinterland Music Festival, Saint Charles, IA
Aug 2, 2025 – Osheaga Festival, Montreal, QC
Aug 8, 2025 – Aug 10, 2025 – Golden Gate Park (Outside Lands), San Francisco, CA