Naarm/Melbourne alt-rock outfit Among The Restless are stepping into an exciting new creative chapter with the release of their debut album, Seasons, out now alongside their driving single, “6 Years Of Madness”.
Blending 2000s Australian indie nostalgia with modern alt-pop sensibilities, Seasons represents a long-awaited full-length statement for the collective—celebrating their past, present, and future across dynamic tracks recorded over a year and a half at Melbourne’s iconic Sing Sing Recording Studios.
Formed in 2019, the group has quickly built momentum through three East Coast tours, high-profile festival slots (including Uncaged Festival, Beyond The Valley, and opening Good Things Festival Melbourne), an AMPlify Award nomination at the Music Victoria Awards, and airplay across triple j and ABC’s rage.
We caught up with guitarist and songwriter Lachie Dunn to chat about the new album, their creative process, navigating independence, and what keeps him grounded.
Hi, thanks for taking the time to chat with Hear 2 Zen, what have you been up to today?
Hey, thanks so much for having me! Work for me and band admin, lot’s to do coming up to our album!
Tell us about yourself, how long have you been performing/creating music for?
I personally have been obsessed with music forever. My earliest memory is sitting on the floor of the tractor with Dad listening to his CD’s, haha! I’ve been playing since the age of 8 and performing in bands since the age of 12… so a bloody long time now. Being born with a disability I was limited to what other kids could do, so I picked up the guitar and never looked back. I’ve always loved the freedom it has given me to escape the world and be myself, there is nothing better than creating music.
Who are your greatest inspirations? Why?
Oh wow, where do I even start! I draw inspiration from so many areas of my life. I’d say from a writing point of view, my personal experiences influence my writing more than taking from what I listen to. I’d say observing the world, my family and my friends and being a human is what inspires me the most. My musical inspirations are constantly changing, but if I’d have to pick one, it’d have to be The Smashing Pumpkins and Powderfinger, they are staples for me and have been forever, the way their music has no boundaries and captures all my emotion at once is what inspires me.
How do you create music? Are you lyrics/story driven, or does the music/melody come first? Explain your process.
Honestly it’s all over the shop. Sometimes I’ll have lyrics, or a melody then write chords, other times I have full songs and Rhett has some lyrics, other times we start from a blank canvas and write from scratch. I like how it’s not a cookie cutter process for us, my brain wouldn’t handle the repetitiveness! After that, we head into the studio and record, it’s a lot of fun.
What has been your greatest challenge so far in performing/creating music?
Hmm that’s a hard one, the creative process is rarely a challenge, that’s why I do it. The hardest part would be funding all of it ourselves being an independent artist. The band is a second job, so lots of long hours after our day jobs and weekend work. The size of Australia is also a bit of an awkward one to navigate logistically. There really isn’t much to complain about when you love doing something.
Tell us about your new album Seasons, how did it come about?
Seasons came from a place of growth for us. At the start of it we had some pretty significant changes within the band and also in our personal lives so that really runs deep throughout. We started recording in early 2025, so it’s been a while in the making. In fact it didn’t stop until mid year, as we recorded 5 more songs just before mixing, no stone was left unturned so we could get the best product. I was definitely ready to do an album, after two or so EP’s and heaps of shows and tours we needed to lock ourselves away and evolve, that definitely happened. Quite daunting but I am so glad we did. It’s basically one big journal entry, super raw and vulnerable, I am very proud of it. The album is a huge change sonically, so I hope people still resonate with it!
What advice do you have to artists who are just starting out?
Just have a crack! There is no better way to experience something than by living it. If you love what you make and it’s genuine it is impossible for people to not connect with it.
Tell us your favourite Zen practice
Well, I’m usually I’m the go go go type, no rest, but recently I have fell back in love with the water, I am a mad fisherman, so to clear the old noggin, I get the boat out with mates, chuck a few rods in and enjoy a day out, gets me back to my roots and to be able to reset.
Seasons and “6 Years Of Madness” are out now on all major streaming platforms. To celebrate the release, Among The Restless are embarking on their nationwide Seasons Tour across Wollongong, Sydney, Canberra, San Remo, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Brisbane, and Melbourne.
Catch Among The Restless live on their upcoming headline tour across the East Coast:
| Date | Venue | Location | Tickets |
| Thur 19 Nov | Society City | Wollongong, NSW | Oztix |
| Fri 20 Nov | Oxford Arts (Gallery Bar) | Sydney, NSW | FREE ENTRY |
| Sat 21 Nov | Smiths Alternative | Canberra, ACT | Smiths Alternative / Oztix |
| Sat 12 Dec | Westernport Hotel | San Remo, VIC | Oztix |
| Thur 14 Jan | Vinnies Dive Bar | Gold Coast, QLD | Oztix |
| Fri 15 Jan | Arts Factory | Byron Bay, NSW | Oztix |
| Sat 16 Jan | Black Bear Lodge | Brisbane, QLD | Oztix |
| Sat 30 Jan | Northcote Social Club | Melbourne, VIC | Oztix |
