What sparked the idea for your new single, “I’ll Get By”? Was there a particular moment or experience that lit the fuse?
There wasn’t a single moment in time, but all members of DEM MOB have struggled with depression and anxiety at different points. It’s tough living off-country down in Adelaide—city life can feel overwhelming, and we miss our families back home. But deep down, we know that what we’re doing can make a difference in other people’s lives. We created this song not just as an anthem for ourselves, but for anyone who feels the same way.
Can you take us through the creative process behind “I’ll Get By”? How did it all come together so quickly – was it a bit of a whirlwind?
When we moved to Adelaide, we were all living at Tjilpi and Lindsey’s house while searching for our own place, which was tough since we had never rented before. It took a couple of months, but in that time, we were preparing for our WOMAD show and recording in Tjilpi’s home studio. Payday cooked up a beat that got all of us hyped, and next thing we knew, J Loot had words for the hook, and Basso was working on melodies and harmonies. The verses came together in a flash, and we ended up performing the song for the first time live at WOMAD.
The clean vocals in “I’ll Get By” are a bit of a departure from your usual style. Does this signal a shift in your musical direction, or was it just what felt right for this track?
DEM MOB is all about changing things up. If you see our live shows, they’re like a rollercoaster of emotions. Sometimes we see people crying in solidarity with our message, joining us in anger, or smiling and cracking up as we party on stage. “I’ll Get By” creates an atmosphere where people join us, chanting those three words in shared resilience. Basso’s more prominent in this song than on past tracks since he became a full-time member this year, after touring with us and Seth Sentry across Australia, as well as our US and Canada tour. We don’t know what sound’s coming next, but Basso will definitely be part of it.
How do your influences, like The Weeknd, Michael Jackson, Kendrick Lamar, and J Cole, come through in your sound and lyrics? Do you reckon they’ve shaped the way you approach your music?
It’s hard to escape the influence of the music you love, but we’re all unique in our own ways. You start your journey as a blank canvas, and every artist you admire adds a brushstroke. When you step back, that painting becomes something new and unique that no one really planned.
What’s the main message you’re hoping to get across with the lyrics and the music video for “I’ll Get By”?
“I’ll Get By” is about reflecting and looking internally at what causes depression and anxiety. J Loot’s verse, “revenge may be sweet but you gotta recognise the future might hurt like ice,” reflects his journey of letting go of anger. The chorus speaks to self-empowerment when you’re in dark mental spaces. It’s important to check in on those around you, but sometimes people hide what they’re going through. We made that chant—”I’ll get by”—to remind everyone that if you sing it, you start believing it.
The transition from black and white to colour in the music video is pretty striking. What does that shift symbolize for you personally?
The visual shift matches the feeling of the song. Life can feel cold and bland when people are struggling with mental health, but finding that spark again brightens everything. We wanted to show that visually by filling the video with color, especially with the local graffiti art from Adelaide’s south. Those artworks pop when you see their colors shine through. The sunset at the beach is another moment—when it’s in black and white, you only see the clouds, but when the sun breaks through, it’s revitalizing. The crew—Natasha Wanganeen directing and Maxx Corkindale on cinematography—really understood what we were trying to convey.
What do you hope “I’ll Get By” will mean for your listeners, especially those going through similar challenges? Is there a particular impact you’re hoping it’ll have?
We hope people resonate with the song and that it helps them build the strength they need to get by. If it gives someone hope in their darkest times, we’ve done our job.
You’ve just wrapped up a tour in the US and Canada. What were some of the standout moments, and how did Pitjantjatjara hip hop go down with the crowds over there?
Meeting First Nations people from all over the world in Toronto was incredible. We shared language, song, and culture, and they really supported us, creating a mad family vibe. It gave us the strength to take on New York. It’s amazing to see people understand the importance of Pitjantjatjara and why we need to keep it strong. There were hundreds of languages in Australia before colonization, but now only 13 are still taught to children. Pitjantjatjara is the second most spoken, with only about 2,000 speakers. We’ve played shows to more people than that, which is crazy to think about. It’s a 60,000-year-old language that’s been under threat for just the last 80 years, and we’re doing everything we can to keep it alive.
How do your roots and culture influence your music, especially in tracks like “I’ll Get By”?
We’re from the APY Lands—it’s a harsh desert, but our people have survived there for 60,000 years. Like No Fixed Address said, “We have survived the white man’s world.” We need to keep that mentality when facing our own inner battles.
Can you tell us about any behind-the-scenes moments while making the “I’ll Get By” music video that really stood out to you?
Honestly, the crew was just super efficient. We shot the video in a few hours because we work so well together. It’s awesome when people get your vision and know how to capture it in a way that makes you feel in control. When that happens, the final product feels more genuine. Natasha, Maxx, and Shannon really put us in a good space to make that happen.
How has your music evolved over the years, and where do you see it heading in the future?
As a crew and family, we’ve faced challenges, but we keep growing, making music, and developing our education programs—all of which impact the band. When it comes to our music, we don’t really plan where our sound is going. It’s more about responding to the moment. We don’t sit down and say, “Let’s make a song about this.” Instead, something just clicks, and the lyrics come in hard, like a big rain back home.
What’s next for DEM MOB after “I’ll Get By”? Any plans for new releases, collaborations, or tours on the horizon?
We’re currently working on a bigger body of work and some exciting collaborations outside the group. We’re teaming up with Quan from Regurgitator, Jazzmeia Horn, and Dobby, who’s been a massive support to us. We also plan to head back to the US, Canada, and Europe to build on the networks and fan base we’ve established. On top of that, we’ll be officially launching our education platform soon, which we’re really excited about.
