Having just touched down in Sydney, we caught up with Bully singer/guitarist Alicia Bognanno to get the low down on their whistle-stop tour and find out why Australians are so into Losing.

For any punk or grunge band the idea of signing to iconic Seattle label Sub Pop represents something of a dream come true. The label has previously housed some of the biggest names in scuzzy guitar music like Nirvana, Mudhoney, The Screaming Trees and so many more. They also continue to be home for many huge artists like Father John Misty, GOAT and Pissed Jeans – now you can add Nashville pop-punk quartet Bully to that list.

Their 2017 sophomore LP Losing capturing the spirit of the label with raw and unapologetic lyricism, Kim Gordon-esque vocals, gritty guitars, washed down with hooky earworms that wriggle around inside your head for days. It’s the record of a band that is wholly comfortable in their own skin and is getting the best out of each other as they expand on their musical identity.

Touching down in Australia a couple of days ago, the group will hardly have time to get over their jet-lag before they are back on a plane heading home. Hitting Melbourne, Sydney (tix here) and Splendour consecutively in a lightning tour that kicks of tomorrow at The Tote (tix here).

There’s still tickets available so be sure to get yourself along to the headline shows with support from Bleeding Knees Club, and check out our interview with Alicia below:

You’re obviously influenced by a lot of grunge stuff like Nirvana Sonic youth, PJ Harvey etc. What was it like signing with Sub Pop?

We were really excited. We’re all just big fans of the label. It seemed like a great fit and it’s been a joy so far.

‘Losing’ seems like a weird title for your LP, considering the band is doing so well. Can you tell us how you came up with that name?

When we’re picking a title I usually go through and try and find a word or a phrase that sticks out. I think it’s associated with a lot of negativity but I didn’t necessarily want that to be the outlook on it. It just sort of happened.

Aussies are clearly diggin Bully right now. Why do you think your music has translated so well in Australia?

Last time we were here I was really surprised and happy with the turnout at all of our shows. I’m really happy about it because this is one of our favourite places to tour because I feel like Australia really loves to rock in general. You have a bunch of great rock bands and I think that has something to do with it.

You were last here in 2015, how has the band changed/grown since then?

We’re all a lot better at touring than the first time we came over here. I think we’ve had a lot more practice on touring and we know how to be respectful of each other and how to handle it. We have a lot of trust of each other live and everyone just does their job and does it well. It’s a better experience overall now.

What are you looking forward to in Australia in your very small amount of down time?

It sucks because we fly out right after Splendour to Seattle to play a festival there. I’m kind of bummed ‘cos there’s a lot of bands we want to see. We went to the Botanical Gardens when we has a break from interviews. Tomorrow I’m going to do the hike up the cliffs at Bondi.