Paperweight Master Self-Worth On Debut Single ‘Waster’

Everyone needs more pop punk in their life, especially when a song hits you with nostalgia for those younger days. Make way for Melbourne newcomers Paperweight, who are crazy about that early 2000’s pop punk goodness. But before you pass them over as another carbon copy, hold tight. This five-piece are adding a newfound spark to the genre. Imagine if you combined Sum 41’s All Killer, No Filler record with Neck Deep’s Life’s Not Out To Get You. Boom! Out comes this bright-eyed punk five-piece from Melbourne wearing their hearts on their sleeves.

It’s also refreshing to see an Australian pop punk band featuring a female who isn’t actually fronting the band. Guitarist Luana TG is laying low on guitar, and letting the boys shine here (for now). We LOVE that and wanna see more chicks slaying guitar solos!

We caught up with the pop punk upcomers for a good ol’ chin wag about what they’re all about, and what they’re hoping to bring to the scene this year…

Welcome guys!! Tell us who Paperweight is and what you intend to do to claim music world domination?

Thank you! So Paperweight is a 2020 baby – we’re made up of 5 humans with pop punk roots and a shared passion for music! We’ve already started on world domination – most of us have played together before and now we’re joining forces and getting stronger by the day…

Your debut single ‘Waster’ froths early 2000’s so much, which isn’t a bad thing at all! Can you give us some insight behind this track?

That’s a huge compliment – the sound was definitely inspired by that early 2000’s pop-punk/emo scene! ‘Waster’ tells a tale of love and learning. It’s something we’ve all been through – where our self worth is dictated by another. The song is about growth, acceptance and, most importantly, becoming the master of your own self worth.

The track also kinda throws me back to my procrastination days back in school. However, while your music is very much stuck in the good ol’ days of music, it’s still very 2020 and fresh. Do you guys have more fresh tunes up your sleeves?

You bet we do – Waster is just a little taste of what’s to come! We’re beyond excited to finally share our music with the world and I hope others will be able to connect with our music the way you have. We have a few songs lined up for ya – keep your eyes & ears peeled!

Australian pop punk (and the music community in general) is truly on par with the rest of the world these days. What makes Australian acts stand out?

Abso-freaking-lutely agree – we are killing the game down here and we’re so proud to be part of that! Look, Australians in general are awesome – anyone will tell you that… but our bands, fans, friends and fam are in a league of their own. The Australian music scene is so full of genuinely good humans who lift each other up – it makes a world of difference to those that connect with our music.

Let’s play a quick game of Kill, Fuck, Marry: The Band version. Choose 3 of your biggest influences (as a band). Who would you kill, fuck (too weird? Maybe let’s call this one “who would you tour with?”) and who would you marry (or collab with)?

FUCK: We’d get freaky with New Found Glory. Perhaps we could have a super whiney pop-punk vocal competition… if you know what I mean 😉 
MARRY: Sum 41. Can you imagine the tiny punky babies we’d pop out?!
KILL: Sorry…… Blink-182. Abducted and killed by aliens to prove Tom was right.

When iso is over, and we can all attend gigs again, what would your ideal first show be like?

We see hot and sweaty mosh pits filled with our favourite people in Melbourne – the best city in the world! (Look at us, defying the pop-punk Gods and actually loving our town)

Is there anything else (band secrets) you’d like to share with us?

One of us has 6 toes.

Errr, creepy. Thanks so much for the chats and getting to know you a little more. Keen to see how you all escalate this year!

Paperweight’s debut single ‘Waster’ is out now.

Interview by Tamara May (@citylightstam)

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