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We Grow Up
 A band on the ascendancy is an interesting beast. Every launch and release set by labels and musicians can swamp the market, causing the industry at times to face accusations of being 'bloated' and 'derivative'. Adelaide, however, are experiencing a pop renaissance of sorts, with We Grow Up part of this push for sonic sweetness.
Chatting to brainchildren, Anthony Golding and Jonathan Mortimer in the cosy surrounds of the dB office, a palpable sense of new beginnings is tempered with the steely mindset of those who wish to achieve.
At present the band are spending time in Mortimer's home studio as he explains, "We've started recording the second album, songs like Actor's Show and Mulberry Tree which is partly based on a story when I was younger. The songs are posted on our MySpace web pages. We recently bought drum recording equipment so we've got the kit set up in my bedroom," Golding elaborates further. "We've already got all the demos recorded acoustic without drums." Mortimer chimes in, "Every time we record it, we change it a bit. Some of the things we keep because we like them so much from the demo."
Their debut self-titled album is facing a re-launch, a curiosity Golding explains: "We never did an official launch so we decided, 'Oh well, this is our first gig [Jade Monkey, February 2007], we'll sell it here." Mortimer further charts history explaining, "We recorded the first album as just Anthony and myself just before the band was really formed with drummer Jakub Tengdahl and bassist Prudence Hart." The story of the new band's name is 'ink-worthy'. "Remember the signs, 'We grow up to be young South Australians'? with a picture of a person doing something productive with their lives?" I recollect the 'South Australia. Going all the way' sign as Golding continues, "One night after a drinking session, I was walking home from Port Road and fell over under one of the 'We grow up' signs. I looked up and thought, 'Oh, that's hilarious'."
"Ironic," Mortimer adds as Golding concludes, "It was the title I used until we assumed it as the overall band name."
The watershed moment for these productive South Australians was being handpicked by Missy Higgins to support her at the Adelaide leg of the 'On A Clear Night' tour. They have received an offer by internationally renowned filmmaker Murali K. Thalluri (of '2.37' fame) to produce a film-clip for, at this tentative stage, Social Moth.
We have all witnessed the swift rise and fall of recent bands of note, in an industry that doesn't always consult artists in future planning. I ask what makes We Grow Up stand out and how they could contribute to longevity in the public arena. "Personally, I've got a healthy pride and passion about the music I'm making. People will see that in our live shows and recordings that we think what we're doing is good. If I didn't think I was doing anything good, I wouldn't want people to know about it, " Mortimer waxes lyrical.
Lauren Boxhall
We Grow Up launch their self-titled album on Friday 3 Aug at Jive with Radio Spectacular!!! and School Of Two.
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