Neu Get To Know… HighSchool

Describe your music to us in the form of a Tinder bio.
Just out of a two-year relationship with a maleficent virus. Drama and fake people not my thing. If my dog doesn’t like you, it’s game over.

What’s your earliest musical memory?
Discman headphones pressed against my mother’s pregnant belly, playing Beethoven’s fifth to my foetal self so that I grow up to be a genius. And Grade One talent show dancing to Hot Chocolate’s ‘You Sexy Thing’.

Who were some artists that inspired you when you were just starting out (and why?)
Snowing, I Hate Myself, American Football, The Van Pelt and all the other midwestern emo bands out of the ‘90s and early ‘00s. The adolescent years were difficult ones. AC/DC, Sweet, Blink-182, the soundtracks of video games and skate videos.

You’re from Melbourne – how is the scene there at the moment? Are there other artists breaking through at the same time that you take inspiration from?
Melbourne’s scene is great! So many awesome acts out of Melbourne at the moment - Exek, Grazer, Body Type to name a few.

What are you looking forward to most about The Great Escape – and the trip to the UK as a whole?
EKKSTACY

Who is your dream collaborator and why?
Honshibori. If you don’t know, now you know. You’re welcome.

Musically or otherwise, what are you most looking forward to in 2022?
[Upcoming film] Crimes of the Future. It’s not a remake! I’m so keen.

If people could take away one thing from your music, what would it be?
Tinnitus.

HighSchool play The Great Escape (11th - 14th May) where DIY is an official media partner. Tickets are on sale now. Visit diymag.com/festivals for more information.