IN CONVERSATION WITH RÜFÜS DU SOL

interview by SAMO ŠAJN & TIMI LETONJA

RÜFÜS DU SOL is an Australian group from Sydney, consisting of Tyrone Lindqvist, Jon George, and James Hunt. They have released five studio albums, with their latest, "Inhale/Exhale," showcasing their evolution in electronic music. The band is known for their dynamic live performances and has announced a 2025 tour across North and South America to support their new album.

photography BOAZ KROON

Your new album Inhale/Exhale comes after big personal changes for the band. How did those changes affect the music you made this time  around? [James]

The changes we’ve experienced over the last five years significantly shaped our music. After touring for our last album, Surrender, we adopted healthier routines to ensure sustainability, like ice baths and breath work before shows. This focus on well-being helped us become more optimized live performers, which we carried into writing Inhale/Exhale. We introduced structure to our writing process, allowing us to be more prolific than ever. Even with some distance, our two-week sessions were incredibly productive, and we felt dialed in at our creative peak. Ultimately, our improved communication and connection enhanced both our creative process and touring.

You recorded Inhale/Exhale in different places like Austin and Ibiza. How  did those locations influence the sound and feel of the album? [Jon]

While past albums were heavily influenced by specific locations, Inhale/Exhale was shaped more by our creative process. After  pivoting from touring during the pandemic, we worked in Austin, where a gym next to our studio allowed us to maintain an effective routine during long  studio days. Although the locations played a lesser role this time, Ibiza  provided an opportunity for some of us to DJ during the writing process,  serving as a refreshing outlet. Ultimately, our recent changes—like James  moving to Miami and Tyrone relocating near San Diego—helped us capitalize on meeting in diverse, inspiring environments.

You’ve talked about being inspired by older music like 90s house tracks  and soul songs. How did bringing those sounds into the album change  your approach to making music? [James]

We’ve drawn inspiration from both contemporary and nostalgic electronic  music, including 90s house tracks and soul songs, alongside bands like  Radiohead. This broad spectrum influences our approach to music-making,  reminding us of the importance of creating a cohesive body of work, as we  grew up listening to full albums from artists like Moby, Röyksopp, and Tthe  Chemical Brothers. In an era focused on singles, we wanted to craft a journey  through our album, incorporating dance-oriented elements while reflecting on  the distinct qualities of that era, such as the unique drum programming and  sampling. Our sound is a blend of the old and the new, continually shaped by  both classic influences and contemporary music.

Flowers and nature are big themes in your album’s artwork and visuals.  How did that idea come about, and how did it influence both the look  and sound of Inhale/Exhale?  [Tyrone]

We are drawn to the interplay between synthesized and organic elements,  evident in our music videos and live shows, which blend digital sounds with  natural textures. For Inhale/Exhale, our creative director, Katzki, created a  mood board rich with images of flowers, reminiscent of New Order's album  cover, which we admire. Flowers symbolize significant moments in life, from  birth to loss, making them a fitting theme. As we wrapped up the album in the  studio, we captured the album cover image with a bouquet of flowers behind  diffused glass, giving it a unique, painterly quality without digital manipulation.  This process mirrored our music creation: starting without a clear vision and discovering our direction as we went along, resulting in a harmonious  connection between the album's sound and visuals. 

You’re one of the few acts that can play both as a live band and DJ sets.  How do you find a balance between these two different performance styles? [Jon]

Finding a balance between our live band performances and DJ sets has been  a fun part of our journey. When we began this project over 15 years ago, we aimed to blend house music elements with our band’s sound, creating a unique flow. We were inspired by acts like Cut Copy and The Presets, who combined live instruments with electronic music, and we focused on  establishing ourselves as a live band. Once we gained recognition, we began incorporating more DJ sets as an additional outlet, allowing us to showcase another side of our artistry. Now, we’re fortunate to explore this duality even  further in larger shows.

photography SOPHIE CHAN ANDREASSEND

Your single “Music Is Better” feels lighter and more fun than some of  your past tracks. What inspired you to go back to the sounds of your early days and make something more joyful? [James]

“Music Is Better” reflects a lighter, more fun approach that emerged during the  writing process for this album, where we found ourselves reconnecting and  enjoying the studio again. The album spans a spectrum of light and dark, and  this track intentionally departs from our recent style by embracing a mantra based simplicity. We were excited to draw inspiration from late 90s and early  2000s French house, incorporating swirly, phaser effects and loopy production. This song became a unique experiment, allowing it to stand out  amidst the diverse moods and feelings on the album. Each track serves as its  own intentional exploration, making this one a joyful highlight.

The lighting and visuals at your live shows are known for being really  powerful. How do you work with your creative team to make sure the  visuals match the emotional feel of your music?  [Tyrone]

We approach our live shows with lighting and visuals as a fourth band member, creating a dynamic experience that balances live music with visual  spectacle. We use dramatic backlighting and synchronized lighting to  enhance the emotional feel of our music. While we’ve drawn inspiration from  various electronic and rock acts, we’ve pushed ourselves with this new record  to step outside our comfort zone. Our creative director was inspired by Rosalia's show, which effectively conveyed the performance through visuals, motivating us to explore a more intimate yet classy presentation. We’re  incorporating lasers and more video content while embracing a more  industrial, analog lighting approach. After debuting this concept at Portola in  San Francisco, we’re excited to continue refining this new expression in our  upcoming shows. 

You’ve played big fashion events and are often seen in top designer  brands. How does fashion play a part in your image as a band and in  your performances? [Jon]

Fashion plays a significant role in our band's image and performances, serving as a form of expression and unity. About six or seven years ago, we chose to perform in all black, creating a cohesive aesthetic that enhances our  stage presence. This decision sparked a creative process, pushing us to  explore different materials and textures that reflect light uniquely while maintaining that collective look. By imposing this restriction, we’ve sharpened  our attention to detail, similar to how we work in the studio. As our individual styles evolve, we embrace more freedom in our DJ sets, experimenting with various ways to create visual interest, often without relying on color. Each member has their own fashion preferences, influenced by different labels and  trends, which adds to our ongoing expression and strengthens our connection  to designers and fashion houses that align with our vision.