BIGSOUND 2025: Daste and Mid Drift Interview Each Other Ahead of Breakthrough Performances

As BIGSOUND 2025 draws closer, two of Queensland’s most exciting acts, Gold Coast’s beloved indie-electronica trio Daste and Brisbane’s rising psych-pop outfit Mid Drift sat down to turn the tables on each other. In a candid back-and-forth, the artists swap questions about their creative processes, live show rituals, and how they’re preparing for Australia’s biggest music showcase. With both bands set to deliver career-defining sets at this year’s event, their conversation offers a rare peek into the mutual admiration and DIY ethos driving the next wave of Australian music.

DASTE. ASK, MID DRIFT ANSWER:

With your first ever BIGSOUND performances on the horizon, how are you approaching this showcase differently than a typical Mid Drift show – and what are you hoping the industry and pundits alike walk away thinking about the band?

We’re so damn excited for our first time at BIGSOUND, it’s been a massive goal for us since the beginning, so we’re absolutely stoked!

We’ve been really focused on curating a set that showcases everything we have to offer in the short time we’ll have with the crowd. We won’t get to spend an hour with them like we’d love to, so it’s all about making the most of every second. We hope the people who come to watch us walk away with a strong sense of who we are – and hopefully, leave keen to see what else we’ve got up our sleeves.

READ MORE: BIGSOUND 2025 Unveils Expanded Artist Hub with Spotify: A Sanctuary for Musos Amid the Chaos

What are some of the smaller rituals shared in the band that make a huge difference to your live set going smoothly? Do you have a favourite backstage game, is there a group huddle before going out?

Before we go on stage, we always make sure we’re all together in the green room for the last five minutes. We hype each other up, give each other a bit of shit, and get those nerves out. Then we all take a shot of Fireball and charge the stage. That moment together makes a huge difference before getting in front of the crowd. If roasting each other doesn’t shake the nerves, the shots definitely do!

How would you describe the current state of the music scene in QLD/Brisbane, and where do you see Mid Drift fitting into – or not fitting into – that landscape?

It’s been a real shame to see so many beloved music venues in Brisbane shutting down and never quite recovering post-pandemic. But for every venue that closes, another music lover seems to step up and give it a go, and that gives us hope. People care about art here, and when it counts, Queenslanders really rally behind it.

There are so many incredible bands and musicians coming out of QLD, there always have been! And there’s a real push now for more diversity, both sonically and culturally, which is super refreshing.

We reckon anyone has a shot at “fitting in” to the QLD/Brisbane scene. If you know your sound, know your aesthetic, and double down on what sets you apart, even if it doesn’t totally align with the current crowd, people will dig it. That’s all we’re trying to do!

If you could hand over one of your songs to another BIGSOUND 2025 artist to completely reinterpret it, who would you choose and why?

I’d love to hear Flamingo Pier take on Nicotine – maybe just because I’m from NZ and I reckon they’re sick – but I think they’d do a really cool, tropical reinterpretation of the track. Yeah, I’d be stoked to hear that.

I recently came across your merchandise and had to laugh at the Mid Drift budgie smugglers. I’m wondering what role visual identity (album art, fashion, aesthetic) plays in how you shape your sound and fan perception?

Oh man, we spend so much time talking about merch and album art. We’ve always said it’s super important that our merch lines up with our sound. We want people to see a piece of merch and want to wear it, even if they’ve never heard of our band. It’s all about that steezy, beachwear vibe.

Same goes for our album art, we spend ages picking the right one for each track. As much as visual identity matters to us, at the end of the day, we all have to genuinely like it. That’s the main thing.

MID DRIFT ASK, DASTE. ANSWER:

You lads have been part of the QLD music scene for a while now. Do you reckon coming from the Gold Coast has shaped your sound at all, or the way you approach music?

Definitely. The Gold Coast has this laid-back energy that we’ve always resonated with, and it naturally seeps into the way we write and produce music. Being surrounded by the beach, hinterland, and a pretty tight-knit creative community has given us space to experiment and grow without too much pressure. There’s a lot of inspiration in the stillness here.

Your production feels super lush and detailed. Is that something that comes naturally from just jamming together over the years, or do you really dive deep into the production side of things as a team?

It’s a bit of both, honestly. We’ve been playing and producing together for a while now, so there’s a really natural chemistry when we’re in the studio. A lot of our best ideas come from loose jams that we then refine and obsess over. We’re all pretty detail-oriented when it comes to production, so we definitely spend time diving deep into textures, tones, and atmosphere to make sure every element has its place and serves the song.

After touring Australia, North America, the UK, and Europe, you must’ve developed your live set quite extensively. Is there anything massive that you learnt about your set that you’re bringing into BIGSOUND?

Touring overseas definitely pushed us to evolve the live show in a big way. One thing we’ve learned is how important pacing and dynamics are—knowing when to hold back and when to fully let go. We’ve reworked parts of our set to create more contrast and energy flow, and we’re learning that to sustain yourself in the live music scene you also need to keep your set modular. We’re able to play with a drummer and without one if need be and that’s given us the freedom to pursue opportunities without the massive financial burden of flying 5-6 people to the other side of the world (as much as we’d like to). 

I’ve had the pleasure of seeing you guys quite a few times while playing alongside some massive local acts over the years. Are there any upcoming QLD artists on your radar right now that you’re vibing with or keen to work with?

Ah, thank you—that means a lot! There’s so much talent coming out of QLD at the moment. We’ve been loving what Sycco’s been doing—such a unique voice and style. Also, FELIVAND continues to make waves every time she releases new music. 1tbsp is also a good friend of ours who is making some really exciting music and killing it!

Now that dasteWORLD is out in the world, where are y’all at creatively? Are you feeling inspired to keep going in the same direction, or are there new sounds you’re starting to lean into?

Releasing dasteWORLD felt like a big creative milestone for us. It really captured where we were at during that chapter. Now, we’re feeling excited to sit in the unknown for a while, live life, play the songs live and wait for any creative inspiration to hit. We’re not sure what the future will sound like, it just has to come naturally. 

With BIGSOUND 2025 fast approaching, Daste and Mid Drift are primed to showcase their distinct sounds and shared passion for Queensland’s vibrant music scene. As they prepare to step onto one of the country’s most influential stages, their reflections reveal not just what they’ve achieved so far, but the boundless potential still ahead. Catch both acts this September in Fortitude Valley—because if this interview is anything to go by, their performances are not to be missed.