This past Saturday, Strange Talk played the fifth stop of their month-long tour with Blondfire and The Sounds at the Club Nokia. The band is currently promoting their upcoming full-length album, Cast Away. The tour will hit most major US and Canadian cities from now until April 7th.

Strange Talk began to garner serious attention just a year later when they released their self-titled EP, which included “Climbing Walls” and “Eskimo Boy.” Formed in 2010 in Melbourne, Australia, Strange Talk consists of four band members: Stephen Docker (vocals, keyboard), Gerard Sidhu (bass), Gillan Gregory (guitar, keyboard), and Travis Constable (drums).

Their music is a cool mix of indie, electronic, and pop music. What they deliver is the best of all three genres: the mysterious lyrics of indie, dance-inducing sounds of electronic, and the catchiness of pop. Their newest single, “Young Hearts,” is a perfect example.

One thing about the show did strike me. Unlike a lot of opening bands, who usually have a smaller, but just as devoted following as the headlining band, the crowd seemed to be desperately awaiting The Sounds while Strange Talk played. The boys, however, were quick to acknowledge this, but rather than expressing disappointment, they are grateful for having the opportunity to play in great venues, like Club Nokia, with great bands, like The Sounds.

“Whether the crowd likes us or not, they’re here for a reason—to see the headlining band. We’re here to support that band and put on a good show. That’s what we tried to do tonight, ” Stephen Docker tells me. He speaks with optimistic realism; his honesty and humility is evident.

I was lucky enough to have a chat with one-half of the band, Stephen Docker and Gillan Gregory, after the show. The full interview is available below.

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How long have you all known each other?

Stephen Docker: About 4 years, since the band started. The band was started by Gerard and me. We’ve known each other since I was 18, and we got referred to these guys [Gillan and Travis] when we started getting attention from record labels. It helps that we all get along great.

You played SXSW for the first time this past week. How was that experience?

SD: Hectic. We had 12 shows in 7 days. There were a few days where we played two or three shows. I mean it was good, but if we were to do it again, we’d probably cut that number in half. But it was our first SXSW, so we went for it.

Did you guys have the chance to check out any other bands that were playing?

SD: None. We had the chance, but not the time. Generally speaking, anytime we had downtime we would sleep. We had maybe two days off during week, so we just chilled at the hotel. 

Gillan Gregory: I had the chance to see Aloe Blacc. He was great. 

What’s it been like touring with The Sounds? 

SD: To be honest, we hadn’t heard that much of them or their music before this. Generally, if we get an offer to play in great venues, we take it. We always do research beforehand. They’re awesome. I mean, I guess that’s the whole beauty of what we do: finding new bands. We’re just appreciative that we get to play in great venues like this.

We’ve played some cool tours. Most of the time, you walk out and people are like, “Who are these guys?” The main challenge for us is to have fun, no matter how the crowd is. We just try to get them dancing and having fun. That’s our main aim and I think that worked tonight.

Strange Talk will be having its own show in May. It must be nice to go from opening a show like today to doing your own show.

SD: Yeah, it is. But you know what? At the same time, I prefer doing opening shows because there’s no pressure to bring in a crowd.

I’ve read in interviews that a lot of bands think no one will show up to their shows, regardless of how big they are.

GG: (Laughs) Yeah. We’ve done shows were its been packed, but everyone will kinda just stand around. So it really depends. 

SD: We played a show in Detroit where we opened up for Panic! at the Disco and Switchfoot. When we walked out on stage, I think it was our first time feeling like a proper rock band.

What has the transition been like, coming from being a band in Melbourne to touring in the US?

SD: I think in the grand scheme of things, Australia is small. At some point, if a band really wants to make it to the next level, they have to start approaching either the UK or US. We played a festival in New York called CMJ and got scouted by our record label, Wind-Up. For an Australian band to be signed over here, it’s a big achievement. They’re the biggest independent label. Being signed in America, it’s next level. 

GG: Yeah, we’ve made it. [Jokingly Laughs]

SD: It’s actually nice to play outside of Australia. I think for us, it’s just a nice change. All of a sudden, you’re an international band rather than just a local band. That brings people out [to the shows].

So, what’s the next’s step for Strange Talk?

SD: A few festivals over the summer. Who knows, who knows what’s next. I mean that’s the great thing about what we do. You don’t necessarily know what the next steps are. Hopefully a hit single. 

The lines between the indie, electronic, alternative rock, and pop music continue to blur, and there seems to be more and more of a genre crossover happening amongst artists. However, Strange Talk takes the electronic element of being an alt-electro-pop band to a whole new level, showcased in songs such as "Falling in Love." Can you talk a little bit about that?

SD: Dance music in general has played a big part in my and Gerard’s lives. We grew up listening up to dance music. When we wrote Falling in Love, we wanted something that, whether we played it live or DJ’d, it would be uplifting and fun. I think Travis and Gil have also brought a whole new dimension to it. I mean, you can go watch a DJ spin music for an hour and a half, but if you can do the same kind of thing as a live band, it’s a lot more interesting. That’s what we try to do. We try to bring the electronic DJ-ing element to our shows.

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When I mention that my ears are still ringing from their set (I had a photo pass and was therefore, front and center), the boys share a proud smile.

SD: That’s what we want. We always tell the front of house, “Make it loud.”

Strange Talk will return to Los Angeles on May 14 to kick-off their own tour at The Echo. You can RSVP for tickets, here. 

Reach Contributor Gerri Gonzalez here.