As The Rubens sit with their highly anticipated fifth album, SODA, they’re set to deliver an emotional powerhouse while also leaving fans in a Good Mood*.
Following their chart-topping 0202, the band kicked off a national tour on September 20th. With one Melbourne show already sold out, they’ve added a second that’s selling fast. Our very own, Sarah Gross, had the chance to sit down with Sam and Elliott Margin about their creative process in the making of SODA, and their commitment to ensuring every song ” makes you feel something”.
*’Good Mood’ is one of the new singles on SODA for those playing along at home.
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Sarah (Forte): SODA represents a new chapter for The Rubens. How has your songwriting evolved this time around, and what sets it apart from your previous albums?
Sam: “We haven’t completely changed our sound, but it has definitely evolved over the last four records. This album brings together all the favourite sounds we’ve used over the past 12 years.” Sam pauses, then reflects on a surprising addition to SODA.
“For a long time, we were kind of allergic to the acoustic guitar, but this time, we embraced it. Adding the acoustic guitar, along with the cleaner rock guitars from our early days, introduces something new. It’s a blend of everything we’ve loved from each album.”
Sarah (Forte): Every album has its hidden treasures. Is there a track on SODA that holds special meaning for you or a hidden easter egg moment but might not be immediately obvious to listeners?
Sam: “One track that stands out is ‘Black Balloon.’ The chorus repeats, ‘Red Corolla, Black Balloon.’ The Red Corolla refers to our family’s old car— We had a little shitty Red Corolla that we were, we inherited from our nan. It became the P-plate car, passed down from each of us (Margin Brothers).” He smiles, “The whole song itself is about anti-nostalgia and looking back and thinking that maybe things were better than they actually were just because you have rose-tinted glasses.
Elliot adds with a laugh, “That old shitbox—that we did love.” *Laughs*
When it comes to hidden gems, both brothers are particularly drawn to the track ‘Gone.’
Sam: “Elliot, should we talk about ‘Gone’? This feels like a tease if we don’t.” *laughs*
Sarah: “Well, you can’t not tell me now!” *laughs*
Elliot: “I think we should go for it.” *grins*
Sam: “I’ll describe the vibe, and Elliot can explain the meaning since he wrote the lyrics. ‘Gone’ sounds like a beautiful, folky breakup song—super emotive and cinematic. It’s one of my favourites on the album. But the lyrics… you might be surprised by what the song is actually about, which I think is really clever by Elliot.”
Elliot: “Instead of being about a breakup between lovers, it’s about a breakup between a person and their drug dealer. The drug dealer is quitting the business. I wanted it to sound like a love song with a cheeky twist.” He grins, “It was my way of avoiding the song becoming too cheesy.”
Sam highlights an intriguing detail: ‘Tempered glass tabletop’? That’s a nod to late-night parties where you’d always find that one tempered glass table at someone’s parents’ house. But you’d never know it’s about that unless we told you. There’s a lot of beautiful little lines (in the album) and you would never know until you read this article”
Sarah (Forte): Your fans connect with your music on a deep emotional level. How did you ensure SODA captures that same intensity?
Sam: “We’ve avoided including any song on the album that doesn’t evoke a strong feeling or doesn’t make us feel something. We don’t want to write music that doesn’t stir a powerful emotion—whether it’s joy, sadness, nostalgia, or something else.”
Sam adds “There’s no formula for a hit song anymore. Your best chance is to have a song that people want to share because it makes them feel something.”
Sarah (Forte): Bonus question from my wife to you Sam. I don’t know if we would have become super fans if we hadn’t have seen you live. Your stage presence is incredible—so captivating and interactive. Do you have any rituals or mindsets you channel before going on stage?
Sam: smiles “There’s no big ritual. The only thing we do is come together before we go out—hug and give a kiss on the cheek around the band. I guess it’s a ritual to focus ourselves.”
Rapid Fire Q&A:
- Who’s most likely to be late to rehearsal? Sam: “Probably Will. It’s funny because rehearsal is at his place, the bunker. A lot of the time we might arrive there and then his van isn’t there and we’ll wait a couple of minutes and then he’ll come flying down the driveway with a big bag of Maccas or something”
- Who’s the best dancer? Elliot: “Scotty. He gets right into it with all his enthusiasm—plus, it’s kind of funny seeing him dance with his muscular build.”
- Who can play the most instruments? Both: “Zach.” Elliot: “He’s one of those freaks who hears a melody and starts playing it on the guitar out of nowhere.”
- Who’s most likely to get lost on tour? Sam: “Will.” Elliot: “Yeah, definitely Will.”
- Who’s the night owl with the late-night ideas? Sam: “With the late-night, it’s probably me because we write, me and Elliot, write the songs… and you like to write in the daytime. Although you did write ‘Hoops’ at, like, 3am.” Elliot: “ More a morning man. Yeah.”
Sam: That was awesome, that interview. Will we see you in Melbourne (on the 18th or 19th)?
Sarah: I’ll be there!
Sam: Hell yeah. All right, see you there. Thanks so much!
Keep up to date with The Rubens’ touring here and give SODA a spin here.
