Who says there’s nothing good happening in music right now?
Ahead of their highly anticipated show at The Waiting Room in London on December 14th, we caught up with Loose Lips, a Melbourne-based garage punk trio that’s quickly gaining recognition for their great sound. With a raw blend of 60s rock and punk, Loose Lips is a band you need to know, and they’re just getting started. We caught up with Josh Hardy, Nadine Muller and Ethan Stahl to chat about how the band came together, their influences and what fans can expect from their upcoming music.
Loose Lips formed when the band members crossed paths through various musical projects. “We all played in different bands and crossed paths at gigs or at the pub”, says Nadine. “Josh and I really got to know each other when the band I was in supported his band, The Chats, on a national tour around Australia”. It was this connection that sparked the formation of the band, and the buzz was undeniable. Nadine adds, “It was an easy transition into Loose Lips from there.”
Although their music may sound like it comes from a single place, the members hail from different corners of the world. Nadine grew up in Bendigo and has lived in Melbourne for the last 10 years. Ethan spent 20 years in the UK before returning to Australia, and Josh is from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. This mix of backgrounds brings a rich and varied influence to their music, helping shape the band’s diverse yet cohesive sound.
Before Loose Lips, each member had experience in other bands. Nadine plays in The Prize, which Ethan recently joined, while Ethan’s musical history includes Chubby and the Gang, Gutter Knife, and Street Sweeper. Josh is also known for his work with The Chats and The Unknowns. The band’s varied musical backgrounds and extensive experience in different genres give Loose Lips their distinctive edge, combining influences from 60s rock, punk, and garage.

The name “Loose Lips” was created by Josh, inspired by the saying “Loose lips sink ships”. It’s a fitting moniker for a band that isn’t afraid to embrace authenticity. “It reflects the kind of music we make: raw, unapologetic, and honest”.
When it comes to writing songs, the band operates as one. “Usually, Josh or Ethan will come up with a riff, and then either Josh or I will write lyrics separately or together” Nadine shares. This mix of independent and joint songwriting ensures that the creative process remains fresh and dynamic, resulting in their high-energy tracks.
Loose Lips recently dropped a music video for their track “One More Chance”filmed on a handy cam in Nadine’s garage. “It was an afternoon effort, filmed by our mate Johnny Murphy” says Josh. The video perfectly captures the band’s raw and DIY spirit. They also plan to record a full-length album in the new year. “Stay tuned for more!”
Musically, Loose Lips pulls from a wide array of influences, blending classic sounds with punk rock grit. Josh shares, “We love a lot of the classic stuff like The Shangri-Las, The Shirelles, The Standells and other 60s bands. But we also love bands like The Scientists, The Eastern Dark, Exploding Hearts, and The New York Dolls”. Their mix of influences helps create a sound that’s both nostalgic and fresh, with catchy melodies paired with fast, gritty rhythms.
2024 has been a whirlwind year for Loose Lips. They recently recorded four tracks on a tape machine Josh acquired, and within a week, the tracks were released on vinyl through FOLC Records in Spain. “We’ve crammed a lot into a very short period and it’s been fun just smashing stuff out and keeping it LOOSE!” says Nadine. The band is excited for what’s to come, with their sights set on releasing a full-length album and expanding their live shows. “Getting the album out is the big one for us”, Josh says. “We are hoping to get some more shows and hopefully tour overseas at some point next year. Other than that, just keep writing and having a good time”.

Loose Lips is fortunate to be based in Melbourne, a city with a thriving and supportive music scene. “Melbourne rules”, Ethan says. “We are very fortunate to be living in a city with such a good scene. The reception for our project has been unreal so far, which has been very flattering”. The band is quick to recommend some of the great talent emerging from Melbourne, including Split System, Civic, Drunk Mums and The States. “There’s so much good music happening here right now!”.
As Loose Lips gears up for their show on December 14th in London, it’s clear that they’re on a fast track to greater success. “We’re just having a great time and getting to play to more people”. “There’s so much to look forward to in 2025.”
Don’t miss your chance to catch Loose Lips live at our London Heatwave show at The Waiting Room on December 14th.
Tickets are almost sold out but this might be your chance still: https://wegottickets.com/event/641622/

