Youth Group frontman Toby Martin sits down with Paul Cashmere at Noise11.com to talk about the band’s long-awaited return and their new album Big Whoop. In this candid Q&A, Toby reflects on the six-year gap since their last release, the band’s evolution over two decades, and the freedom of making music without the old industry pressures.
Toby reveals the inspiration behind the album’s tongue-in-cheek title, explains how Big Whoop came together piece by piece across continents, and shares stories behind key tracks like Don’t Turn Your Back On The Moon, Saturday Dad, and Kim Deal.
He discusses the emotional honesty of the lyrics, the influence of The Go-Betweens and The Breeders, and how working with electronic producer Ming helped shape the album’s dance-tinged sound.
Looking ahead, Toby talks about celebrating the 20th anniversary of Youth Group’s hit Forever Young with shows and releases planned for 2026 — and hints that something special is coming for the song that changed the band’s life.
For fans of Youth Group’s mix of jangly guitars, heartfelt storytelling and sharp Australian wit, Big Whoop is a welcome reminder of why this band still holds a unique place in Australian indie rock.
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