Six years ago, siblings Josh and Amy Dowdle reaffirmed their blood-bond, co-founding an indie-electronic artist project known as Lastlings. Since the band’s inception, Josh and Amy have expanded outward from Australia’s Gold Coast, amassing overseas fan bases. In November of 2020, Lastlings dispatched their debut studio LP, First Contact, via RÜFÜS DU SOL‘s Rose Avenue Records. The enigmatic sibling duo has since collaborated on tour and in the studio with the likes of not only RÜFÜS DU SOL, but also Bob Moses, and Dancing Astronaut‘s 2021 Album of the Year recipient, SG Lewis. Lastlings are currently gearing up to make their debut main stage festival appearance at CRSSD Fest in San Diego on March 5.

Featured as one of Dancing Astronaut’s Artists to Watch in 2021, Lastlings have made exceptional strides since they dispatched their debut album. Purchase last-minute tickets to CRSSD Fest here, and browse the sibling duo’s selection of headlining tour dates as they prepare to make their mark in North America.

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Does it feel like it’s been more than a year since you releases First Contact?

Amy: “Yes, it really does. I think [it’s] because we’re just focused on this new album, so we haven’t really been thinking about the last one that much.”

How often have you been able to perform the record, considering that the pandemic hit shortly after its release?

Josh: “We were pretty lucky in Australia. We got to do a full album tour; it was a bit weird though, because we had to do seated shows at first. Gold Coast, Brisbane, and I think Sydney were all seated. And then the last Melbourne [show] was standing.”

Have you guys been able to play the album in North America yet?

Josh: “No, we’re coming in [late] February so we can play the album in North America. We were meant to come [at the beginning of] last year, and then everything got cancelled. We’ve never been to New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and all those cities, so [we’re excited that] we get to play them.”

Did you call any audibles to push the LP after the suspension of in-person concerts?

Josh: “We did a live set at Melbourne Jail. That was through our management team down here called Untitled Group, who do a lot of festivals…we basically grabbed a lot of their lighting and production [gear] and did a live set there. Aside from that, we released an acoustic version [of First Contact], and a few songs as well…”

How has Lastlings’ relationship with RÜFÜS DU SOL, SG Lewis, and Bob Moses grown over time?

Josh: “We started touring with RÜFÜS ages ago, like maybe…”

Amy: “2017”

Josh: “Yeah, 2017. Anyway, we started touring with them and we were kind of like babies to the whole thing. We played some regional shows with them, which were really fun, and from there, we kept jumping on their tours and becoming better friends. Then they started talking about making a label, and we just kind of made it happen a few years ago.”

Amy: “Yeah, we haven’t actually met Sam (SG Lewis) yet though.”

Josh: “I have, I met him at Coachella.”

Amy: “Oh did you? I was probably sick.”

Josh: “Amy got really sick at Coachella the first time. Maybe she was patient zero for COVID. But yeah, I met SG Lewis like really late in the night at an after party. Hopefully we’ll get to see him at CRSSD since we’re playing the same festival…And Bob Moses we met on the RÜFÜS tour when they played at Red Rocks, so they’re super nice guys as well. We’re excited to see them again in Tulum.”

What most excites you both about playing CRSSD Fest?

Amy: “I think it’s the fact that we’ve never been to San Diego! I’m so excited.”

Josh: “Yeah, and I don’t think we’ve ever played like a proper festival in America before, so that’ll be super exciting. We actually have no idea what’s in the city or what to go look at.”

What other acts on the CRSSD lineup really stand out to you?

Amy: “We actually chilled with Glass Animals when we were super young! They’re so nice. I’m excited to see them and Four Tet. I also want to see Nastia; she’s so cool.”

Josh: “There’s so many. Like Amy said, Glass Animals, and I love Four Tet; I’d love to go watch his show. He’s such a psycho. Ben UFO back-to-back Joy Orbison is also going to be so much fun.”

Are you planning on showcasing any unreleased music during your set?

Amy: “We have one [unreleased] song that we might play, maybe two.”

Josh: “I think it’ll be one. We’re not sure though because we haven’t played [all of our music] in America yet, so I feel like most of it will be new to everyone anyway. But yeah, we’ve been playing a new song in Australia at the moment that we might bring to CRSSD.”

Lastly, what would your 16-year-old selves think about where you are in your careers today?

Amy: “I reckon she’d be proud. I started Lastlings with Josh when I was 15, so I always wanted [us] to do well. I was [originally] going to go to ‘uni,’ but I decided I just wanted to do this.”

Josh: “I was 21 when we started, and I had just finished ‘uni.’ I wasn’t even seriously thinking about music when I was 16; I was doing like heaps of sport. So, I probably didn’t even think I’d be a musician.”

Featured image: Jessica Aleece

Tags: Bob Moses, crssd fest, First Contact, interview, lastlings, rose avenue records, RÜFÜS DU SOL, SG Lewis

Categories: Features