Program

Program is one of the best groups to come out of Melbourne in quite a while especially following 2019’s debut release, Show Me. Now the group returns with all the key components to truly great and serious pop music on their new album, It’s A Sign. Guitarist-vocalist Rory Heane fills us in the group’s prize-winning comeback.

Hot Sounds: What is it like returning with new music this year after not putting out a full-length record in five long years?

Rory Heane: Of course it feels really good to have another album down — it’s definitely time we had some new ones. I guess Covid was partially to blame for the length of time between records, but I think even after Covid, it was hard initially to pick up where we left off.

HS: What has the journey been like so far as a band and what are your thoughts on what you’ve accomplished together since forming?

RH: We’re definitely proud of what we accomplished with the first record, and we really made an effort to make this new one a step up whilst still keeping true to the original sound. Our lineup has changed slightly in the last year or so with Charlotte [Stewart] now playing bass guitar, so we’re looking forward to fleshing out the next batch of newbies with her.

HS: What has it been like playing shows with these new songs and Charlotte now into the lineup?

RH: Charlotte is an old friend of ours and it’s an honor to rock with her. She’s bringing heaps of ideas every time we practice, and it’s a real vibe on stage playing with her in the band. We feel very lucky to play with such amazing bands in our city.

HS: How exactly did you meet Jonathan? I read something that described you two as “platonic childhood sweethearts.”

RH: Jonathan and I have known each other since we were five years old in primary school. It’s quite humorous that as of today we are in a band together, work at the same job, and are currently housemates.

HS: How exactly did the two of you form Program?

RH: Jonno and I were housemates and collectively we’d been sitting on a bunch of songs. We started jamming with Tyrell and Kano and all the songs eventually came out sounding nothing like they were originally written, and that’s Program.

HS: What insight can you share about how the 2019 debut album was recorded?

RH: We recorded it live. I remember the band getting it all done pretty quick actually. Though lots of the hooks were dubbed after at Billy Gardner’s house in Abbotsford. Most of the songs turned out differently from the initial demos. I probably rearrange structure and parts too much but you know it’s all part of the process.

HS: Your new album It’s a Sign comes out in June. What can you tell readers about its recording sessions? What were some of the highlights while making it and what did you want to do differently this time compared to 2019’s debut?

RH: This new album was completely multi-tracked whereas the debut LP wasn’t. I wouldn’t say this method is something we wanted or strived to do, but it was the most logical way at the time. Most of the guitar parts were made on the fly after the drums were tracked, as they’d never been played by a full band. Again not something we will strive to do in the future, but we were ultimately happy with how it all came together.

HS: Did you draw from any specific inspirations when writing the record? Do you believe you’ve grown and evolved with your songwriting?

RH: This record sounds a little more mature than our first maybe. We wanted it to be a continuation of the first rather than a whole new concept. We still draw inspiration from the classic rock/pop genre, but the songs have a touch of whatever we were listening to the most at the time. One song might start sounding a bit country with slow tempo, which as it progresses turns into something completely different. We mix everything we like together to produce something we think sounds original. Each song has to stand on its own two feet, so we give them each a lot of care and attention.

HS: What were the inspirations behind the album’s opening cut, “One on One”?

RH: This song started out very different from how it ended up. It was actually difficult to piece together, but once we did, it easily became one of our favorites to play. For the vocal melody, I think I was trying to channel a bit of Blur in the verses, and Oasis in the chorus. I subscribe to the fact that both those bands were as important as each other.

HS: One of my favorites on the new album is “Live Without.” How did this one come together?

RH: Jonno was playing around with an acoustic in the kitchen one night. I thought it was super catchy, so I pieced it together with an older idea he had, and then I threw a simple beat over the top. Living together definitely makes it easy for us to jump on ideas quickly.

HS: Another one I very enjoy is the closing track “The Last Round.” What can you say about this one?

RH: I like how this one has a light and dark contrast about it, and seemed to be a suitable last track to the album due its catchy, but chaotic outro. The starting riff was an idea of Jonno’s that I adjusted and added to and thought it’d be a great intro for something. Being called “The Last Round,” seemed fitting that it should close the record. Simple ideas are often the best. The riff at end was also foreshadowed from the track “Act Natural,” which I just pieced together during recording as a fun little interlude.

HS: What’s the story regarding the cover art?

RH: I’m not entirely sure what I was thinking, but I had an obsession with checkered flags at the time and thought it was really fitting for the album. I think a checkered flag is a good symbol for the lyrical content of the record.

HS: What else is on the horizon for Program later in the year?

RH: We’re currently organizing a launch which we’re announcing very soon, and a short interstate tour along with a regional one which is a bit further on the horizon. It’s been a while since we’ve been back on the road, but we’re all pretty stoked about it. New merch too! It’s all coming together, and we’re massively appreciative to everyone that’s been helping us with it all.

It’s A Sign is out now on Anti Fade Records.