A Middle Kids homecoming on Jack Off with Jack Shit

March 19th 2021

Isabel Phillips

Middle Kids :: Interview with Jack Shit

Breaking FBi’s year-long, pandemic-induced live-guest drought, Jack Shit was joined by Middle Kids in the studio – and we could barely contain our relief and excitement.

Flying home in the wake of recording their second album in LA, as massive restrictions unfolded across the music industry internationally, meant a radical change of pace for Middle Kid’s Hannah Joy and Tim Fitz. It also provided a chance for them process the whirlwind of the past five years: from their formation in 2016, to playing international festivals, supporting big names and even scoring multiple slots in the US late night television circuit – all in what seemed like the blink of an eye. The pause also afforded serendipitous space in their busy career to welcome a rather impeccably-timed child into their northern Sydney nest.

If you want an overview on the history of Middle Kids, we got it all out of them – including why they call Tim “Dr Rock”. Jack began back at the band’s formation, including exploring their experience of being crowned the winners of FBi Radio’s Northern Lights competition (where the prize was playing the Iceland Airwaves festival in Reykjavik).

Prior to our comprehensive chat Hannah and Tim treated us to a live rendition of Stacking Chairs, the latest single from their second album, ‘Today We’re The Greatest’, released, well…today. Said song is a candid appraisal of fears about love’s permanence, yet also an ode to the tenderness and care at the core of the love they share.

This warm sentiment carries through the entire album, centring on the transformative impact of their marriage and the growth each experiences through the support and understanding of the other. Gratitude for their luck and love is palpable throughout. Somehow – despite recording the entire album in an intense 12-day spell on the other side of the world whilst Hannah was heavily pregnant – the finished product sounds rich, sincere and unhurried.

Since returning to Australia, then being effectively earthed at home this past year as the world locked down, the band’s creative momentum has not let up either. In the past 12 months Middle Kids have realised a sublime iso performance/video at Rose Siedler House, conducted a sold-out Sydney tour (where they played two shows a night across 5 venues), plus live-streamed a concert from Eveleigh Paint Shop.

Act quick to snare remaining tickets to Middle Kids’ City Recital Hall shows and listen to the full conversation with Jack Shit above.