I have been a big fan of these boys for the past 3 years and have had the privilege of watching them grow into one of the most iconic up-and-coming indie rock bands from Melbourne. From filling up the Northcote Social Club in 2023 to playing a set at BTV and other incredible endeavours, this band are introducing a different kind of vibe than we are used to. In 2026, they want to show a bit more depth to the classic pub rock sound we know them for.
“It’s been, I think, five or six years, and we’ve always teetered on the edge of rock and indie rock….we wanted to release something that shows a bit more depth.”
Summer is a mellower, more thoughtful track. Written from the perspective of someone looking back in winter, the song is essentially about reflecting that not every relationship has to last forever to be special. “It’s about understanding that some people are only meant to stay with us for a chapter of our lives and that letting go doesn’t diminish what was shared. And ultimately how the people we lose don’t disappear completely; they become part of what we carry onward.”
That idea runs through the record. Heartbreak, when you’re experiencing it, can feel like “the worst thing in the world.” But with distance comes perspective. Looking back, the band says, “you came out stronger” and ultimately “you’re better for it now.” That makes the title “Summer” so significant. For Pisco Sour, Summer represents optimism and a period where people feel most like themselves.
“Summer is such an important part of how the rest of your year goes.” Tom agrees, describing summer as a period where many people get a break from the routines of everyday life and “get some time away from work to actually be themselves.”
But, as Nich points out, winter brings a very different energy. “In winter…. It’s darker. You’re a bit more introspective… at least for us in Melbourne, it’s a dull period. It’s cold, and feels like you’re waiting out the year until summer comes around again.” But that doesn’t make the song a depressing one; it’s more about, Tom says, “celebrating what was, and moving on to a new chapter of your life”.
I wondered what kind of dynamic would play out live, as they describe a classic Pisco Sour set as “having a ball…having smack bang full energy”. And that they did. The previously named Gasometer Hotel, now the Smith St Hotel, flooded me with so much nostalgia. The rebrand of the Gaso, whilst slightly shocking, acted as a perfect metaphor for pisco that night…
The band said it themselves, “We really want to show that we’ve grown music-wise, and we can bring the audience on a journey.” A journey was definitely had; it was a sold-out show, the Smith St Hotel was packed to the brim, and I could barely see Nich from the crowd. But you could see his high kicks from a mile away. The crowd screeched in excitement for their rock classics like Stadiums and Miss Medusa…and then some more jangly indie rock off their soon-to-be-released EP. They finished us off with a mellow cover of Yellow by Coldplay. What a beautiful way to sum up their first headline gig of the year.
They thanked everyone in the crowd for their support, and reminisced on the brotherhood and the journey they have had over the years. Classic Pisco Sour style – they can do the hardcore rock vibe, but they do the vulnerable, genuine thing pretty well too.
As they prepare for their upcoming release of an EP in early November or December, and a headline show at the Corner Hotel, Pisco fans, including me, shiver in anticipation.
Listen to their single ” Summer “:
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