Meet The Musos: Get To Know Canberra Trio SAFIA

Canberra trio SAFIA is back with a brand new banger of a single titled The Thing About Love, bringing their signature blend of in-the-pocket electronic beats, haunting vocals and soaring melodies to their latest track.

SAFIA is no stranger to the Australian music scene, having been nominated for numerous awards and won accolades for their unique sound and captivating live performances. With The Thing About Love, the band continues to push boundaries and explore new territories with their music.

It's the third single to come from the band in recent times, following on from dancefloor heavy Today and uplifting bittersweet single Falling Down.

Speaking of their latest single, the band said, "The Thing About Love explores the pain and lightness that comes with sharing a truly deep bond with someone, but in particular, the point just before that connection is about to be severed"

Both SAFIA’s second album Story’s Start or End and their debut Internal showcased the Australian three-piece’s bold vision and fine attention to detail, with intricate production and adventurous arrangements underpinning thoughtful musings on identity, growth, and understanding. 

The Thing About Love is the beginning of what promises to be a big year for SAFIA - and fans can expect more new music, live shows, and exciting announcements in the coming months.

To celebrate their new release, we had a chat with lead singer Ben Woolner to find out all you need to know about SAFIA.

Give us the story behind your name?

I’d like to tell you that there was an interesting story attached to the name, but really it was just a feeling that came one day while searching for something that felt right. I guess it felt like a good fit at the time. 

We mainly just needed a name because we had booked an impromptu gig without one. If we ever seriously thought the project would materialise into something larger than we might’ve put a bit more thought into it, but then again we probably still would’ve just thought of something at the last minute.

If your music was a flavour, what would it taste like? 

I’d like to think that our music was a dish with lots of different flavours & textures that you could mix all together into one big cacophony of sensations. Maybe like some kind of delicious bowl.

Who are some of your biggest musical influences and how have they impacted your own sound and style? 

In our early teenage years, we bonded over our shared love of bands like Guns & Roses & Led Zeppelin. Then, as artists like SBTRKT & Skrillex began to make names for themselves our curiosity was drawn towards electronic production & the freedom of experimentation that came with it. 

Mix that in with the music of our parents that we grew up listening to, like The Beatles & Miles Davis, & voila, you have a rough amalgamation of our sound I guess.

What’s been the biggest moment in your career so far?

I don’t know, no singular milestone really equates to the feeling you get when you create or connect, especially with close friends. 

I think the richest moments & feelings are in that space of creation & connection. External wins are nice but really I see the biggest moment in our career as more of a collection of little moments. 

What's the most unusual or unexpected source of inspiration you've drawn from when writing a song? 

We take inspiration from all around us, whether it be through art or life. I suppose in its nature, all inspiration is unexpected, so it’s hard to pinpoint one particular example. 

Inspiration has come from the texture of a sound in nature to how particular Japanese authors structure their narratives. Quite literally anything can inspire something great.

Can you share a hilarious or cringe-worthy moment from your early days as artists?

My fashion choices early on add up to a whole slideshow of cringe-worthy moments. In all honesty, not much has changed. 

What are the top three tracks or artists you’re vibing on rn? 

Weekend Run - Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Reelin’ - Matt Corby, Fatima Yamaha - What’s A Girl To Do

What’s something that fans not might know about you guys?

That Michael & I are big Star Wars nerds, like really big Star Wars nerds.

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

I think the answer that keeps coming to mind is Ghost Stories by Coldplay. I connected deeply with that record when it came out & I still listen to it a couple of times per year. It’s become my album to fall asleep to on long-haul flights.

What's in the works for you guys in 2023? 

We’ve got a lot planned, new music, new show, the lot. Not sure if I can divulge too much more than that, but it’s all just around the corner..