What We’ve Been Listening To: Days Like These

Days Like These is the pairing of best friends Callen Batson and Noah Murphy and they are fans of Claire Rosinkratz, Travis Scott, Remi Wolf, Charli XCX, Charlie Puth, Tyler The Creator, Silk Sonic, The Japanese House, Enter Shikari, Slowly Slowly, Paramore, Kendrick Lamar, and they would really like to appear in songs by Bring Me The Horizon and Paledusk.

Have a listen to the Brisbane alt-rock band’s latest single, ‘PRIMADONNA’, before getting to know more about them.

Who is Days Like These and how did your namesake come about?

Days Like These is the pairing of best friends Callen Batson and Noah Murphy who share a vision of creating the coolest alternative music on planet earth, that transcend binary genres. The band name was honestly just chosen as the best of the options at that moment. Rather than attaching a meaning at the inception of the band, the name has gained meaning across the journey that has been.

What artists or bands are on your must-listen to list lately and why?

C: I can’t stop listening to the new Claire Rosinkratz album! I only discovered her on this album rollout but I’m completely hooked. Claire has the best indie-bedroom pop songs I’ve heard! On another note, ‘Utopia’ by Travis Scott is also getting slammed on my Spotify too. Travis has completely carved his own lane in the modern hip-hop world and his latest effort is by far his best. FFO feeling like a boss on the way to work

N: I’ve been feeling very attracted to disco pop, hip hop, soul, RnB, jazz, etc. There’s just so much – soul! This certain element that gives you that ‘stank face’, it’s sensual; I can’t help but groove. Remi Wolf, Charli XCX, Charlie Puth, Tyler The Creator, Silk Sonic for example. Artists like Enter Shikari, Slowly Slowly, Paramore, all inspire me greatly as a songwriter, a performer, and an artist. Can’t stop listening to The Japanese House’s new album, I think she’ll be my top artist for this year. Kendrick Lamar’s most recent album puts me in a state of awe: the vulnerability, the creativity, the recurring themes, the expanse of this picture he paints is just brilliant. And last but not least, The 1975, who have been my favourite for the last few years. They never seem to stop evolving their sound, their image, and simply what The 1975 is. Being Funny In A Foreign Language seems so candid yet endearing; that means a lot to me.

When you go into the recording studio to work on new material, what are your must-haves?

C: Noah Murphy

N: Callen Batson

Which song, or songs, of yours would you recommend to a first-time listener and why?

C: Bloodshed and ICON for sure! Between those two songs, listeners can get a sense of our playfulness, energy, attitude and a wide range of influences.

N: I’d agree with Callen, very catchy if I do say so myself. I love the way Callen and I’s vocals dance with one another in ICON. It’s such a beautiful example of our synergy and dynamic together.

Which song of someone else’s (artist or band) would you have liked to feature on and why?

C: ‘AmEN!’ by Bring Me The Horizon – that song has got so many sounds, layers and ideas in it and I don’t see why I couldn’t insert myself in there, just a little bit, and it still bang.

N: Such a cool question! Just some ridiculous heavy song where I can showcase my screaming. BLACK ICE or AREA PD by Paledusk would be absolutely mental.

What has led you into becoming a musicians and why do you keep making music?

C: The idea of creating a piece of art, that ceases to exist before I create it, is so damn cool to me. I feel like I have something very cool and unique to offer the world. Other than this, and more generally, music was my first interest, and the only one that has continued with me throughout my entire life. I can’t imagine a reality where I would stop creating music.

N: Following what brings me joy, purpose and connection. There are moments in my life where it feels like the only thing that makes sense. Doing it with my best friend makes it all the worthwhile.