REFLEKTA have wasted little time making an impression on Australia’s rock scene. Blending the melodic swagger of classic Brit rock with the punch and intensity of modern alternative, the Sydney outfit have quickly built momentum through a string of energetic releases and a reputation for commanding live performances. Now, with the announcement of their debut album 'Way Back Home' and its uplifting lead single 'My Love', the band are preparing for their biggest chapter yet.
Opening with driving guitars and building into a huge, singalong chorus, 'My Love' celebrates gratitude, connection and the simple moments that often go unnoticed. While the single captures the record’s most euphoric side, Way Back Home promises a broader journey through themes of love, frustration, hope and the search for genuine human connection, all delivered with the band’s unmistakable blend of Britpop-inspired melody and contemporary rock energy.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with Paul from the band to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Hmmm… The first instrument I loved were the drums. There's a video of me as a kid, setting up a kit with cookie tins and toy bongos. Even at that age, I was trying to replicate the sounds of kick drums and snares. A bit later I crushed on the saxophone at about age 8. But they were expensive and my folks were not yet assured of my commitment to music so we went with a clarinet. This is what introduced me to the language of music, and I am forever grateful to have been learning that language from a young age because it is now intrinsically part of how I operate as a human being.
From about age 12 I found my forever love in the guitar and have never looked back, although the drums still get a good run!
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I was a 90s kid, so I grew up listening to Australian music like Jimmy Barnes and Cold Chisel. Weekends were for housework and odd jobs and my parents always had a soundtrack blasting for that. Anything from Eagles to Fleetwood Mac to Enya.
My own tastes were just as eclectic. I still remember hearing Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ when I was a kid and it hit me at my core. I had never heard anything so powerful, but raw at the same time. I also loved anything from Silverchair and Babylon Zoo, to U2, The Offspring, Millencolin, and of course Oasis. Nothing like a bit of Van Halen for some guitar-hero inspiration.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first CD I ever got was a single for U2’s ‘Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me’ – a reward for doing well in a spelling test. But, the first record I ever bought with my own money was Metallica’s ReLoad and I spent a lot of time standing on couch stages playing air guitar to the full LP. I have always loved a big guitar sound.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Morning Glory by Oasis – The perfect song for me. Attitude, big musical sound, soaring vocal, passion, swagger. Perfect combination.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
The music I write for REFLEKTA has come from the ethos of not thinking about the process too much at all. It is very much a stream-of-consciousness exercise. There’s lots in life that is second-guessed, rationalised, reconsidered, polished. REFLEKTA is the antithesis of that. Raw and unfiltered. Some of the songs didn’t even have a complete structure when I hit the record button for the demos. I usually find that a main hook will arrive almost fully formed in mind. My job is to notice when this happens because sometimes they can go unnoticed in my mind, and make sure I record these ideas somewhere, even in a phone voice memo, and to follow that thread and to a fully formed song reveals itself.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Being a huge fan of Britrock, I have been listening to a lot of The Bracknell in recent months. Other great artists in that space include, The Rolling People, ROLLA, The Sherlocks. Aussie faves include DMAs, The Sleepy Jackson, The Colliflowers. I always find albums by Oasis, Basement, and Balance and Composure are on rotation pretty regularly too.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Oasis. No question – Loved seeing Ballpark Music doing exactly that when Oasis were out here last year.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
A little bit of escapism and the ability to connect with people on a level beyond words, whether that be with bandmates or audiences, music just brings people together. It’s so important we find ways to be reminded of our deeper connections and shared experience these days. Helps to rise above the noise of division that seems to be ever-present these days.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Finding your audience. These days everyone can hear your music, but there’s a huge risk that the right people never will. But that’s a challenge, rather than a point of frustration. You can’t be frustrated if you are making music because you love the creative process.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Connected to the above – keep in mind what’s important. Music is a part of who I am and staying true to that foundation is what’s most important. That’s where ‘success’ is. We have other goals we’d love to achieve as a band, of course – we joke often about the ‘inevitable’ run of shows we’ll play at Wembley – but regardless of whether we achieve those, the return to rock has been the most rewarding decision we’ve made and has brought us joy. And amongst all the chaos of the music business, we just need to remind ourselves of that constant truth.
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REFLEKTA's new single 'My Love' is out now. Check out the new video for it in the player below.