The new lords of indie-pop are headed our way.

Having in a few years gone from garage upstarts to international touring act – with a cult following, millions of streams, and huge festival/TV slots – it’s safe to say the rise of Minnesota’s Hippo Campus since their 2014 Bashful Creatures EP has been pretty swift. Fast forward a ripping debut album and an expansive follow-up, and the highschool friends will (finally) be touching down in Australia as part of their Bambi tour.

Taking aim at the constraints and impacts social media has on our lives, Bambi offers a critical examination of the way the band and their fans are able to interact. It’s the kind of pop music that gets you thinking as well as moving, and has undoubtedly on furthered the mutual appreciation they have with their fans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntthrYgpOKY

Check out our interview, along with the dates for Hippo Campus’ Bambi tour below, and head here for tickets and information:

What are you most looking forward to (outside of shows) on your Australia tour?

The natural beauty. Experiencing the environment of a place so unlike where we are from is always exciting.

This is your first time performing ‘Down Under’, what do you want your Australian fans to take away from the Hippo Campus experience?

A feeling of balance with their place in the world, and with that balance, an honest expression of musical creativity.

What tracks from ‘Bambi’ are you most excited to have Australian fans see live?

‘Doubt’ and ‘Think It Over’ have been really fun to play for us on these last couple tour runs. But all our songs are necessary to a setlist, so it’s impossible not to be eager to play them all.

You’ve said you started out with the aim of creating community with fans. Do you think that the mainstream music industry nurtures community or promotes idolisation?

The music industry is purposed for making money. According to their business model, idolization sells and community doesn’t.

‘Bambi’ openly offers a critique of our relationship with social media and technology, yet it’s a helpful and (arguably) essential part of playing in a band these days. Is using social media something you find it difficult to rationalise?

Incredibly difficult. We want connection, but the apparent trade-off incites paranoia. Not to mention the fact that everyone’s social media experience is specifically tailored to each individual. These companies show you what you want to see.

You’ve done plenty of travelling over the last year. Are you ever surprised that your music is loved in places so far from home? How does it feel to see fans in, say, Ireland singing your lyrics back to you?

We’re more than thankful to have experienced the love and support of fans all over the world. It’s an incredible and precious thing to be sharing a musical moment with someone, no matter where or when that moment may occur.

Any artists you’ve been listening to that we might not know about? Who’s on the Hippo Campus tour playlist?

D.D. Dumbo, Allie Crow Buckley, Jessica Pratt, Royal Canoe, Taylor Deupree, Faye Webster, Cautious Clay, to name a few…

Are there any local acts you are keen to catch while you’re here?

Really wish Stella Donnelly was in town while we’re there. We’ve been fans of Last Dinosaurs for a long time now too. For us, Australia has always been a great source for discovering incredible artists, we’re stoked to finally get to be there.