Photo credit: Joe Puxley
It’s that time again, when our man on the ground Desh Kapur Editor/Photographer All Music Magazine UK spotlights a bands or artists he thinks are going to have a big 2025 bands and artists we think you should check out to stay ahead of the curve
So welcome to RUM JUNGLE
Hailing from the coastal town of Newcastle, Australia, Rum Jungle have rapidly become one of the country’s most exciting emerging acts. From playing intimate gigs in local venues to amassing a dedicated fanbase, they’ve carved out a unique sound blending indie rock, surf, and psych elements. With millions of streams and packed shows across Australia, the band is set to bring their energetic performances overseas.
Known for their irresistible grooves and infectious hooks, Rum Jungle’s music has struck a chord with listeners worldwide. Their most recent EP, Everything is Easy, showcases their eclectic style and knack for crafting anthemic songs. As their popularity continues to rise, they’ve shared stages with prominent acts like Ocean Alley, Lime Cordiale, and Spacey Jane, further cementing their place as a rising force in the indie scene.
Rum Jungle are:
Benny McIntyre (vocals, guitar),
Josh Giles (guitar),
Michael Kolmajer (bass guitar),
Frazer McDonald (drums)
All Music Magazine UK caught up with Benny from the band
AM – What first got you into music? or Who inspired you to make music?
BENNY – What inspired us to make music. For the three of us standing up on stage, I think it was actually each other that got us into music. The band came together as an excuse to hang out and from jamming our favourite tunes on acoustic it ended up turning into jamming some tunes we’d written.
AM – Tell me about your music journey
BENNY – Its been a long one and been amazing every step. Only been in the last two or so years that it’s become kind of all encompassing of our lives which is what I’ve always wanted. Seemed like one moment we were trekking up and down the coast in our beat up cars to flying somewhere every few days and seeing the world through tour bus windows.
AM – How would you describe the music that you typically create?
BENNY – Over all probably indie/alt rock but we like to try out anything and everything we’re listening to at one time. On the album you’ll hear a song like Mad Man followed by What’s It Like. Or for our B-sides you’ll hear a song like ‘I’m not your friend’ backed up by ‘She Only Spoke Through Music’. Compare those and you might get an answer.
AM – What is your creative process like?
BENNY – Usually it’s just a big pool of ideas floating around until one of us latched onto something and pulls it into a full song. Once the skeleton is made, usually from Benny or Fraz we’ll pull it apart and put it back together again together then do the same in the studio. Some tracks will drastically change like ‘Hi Hello’ off the album was a lot more chill and indie pop vs what it is now. Whereas Chauffeur didn’t really change all that much to how it started. So our process can differ from tune to tune.
AM – If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
BENNY – Cage the Elephant is our number one. That said there’s so many we’d love to play with. We’ve not really had many support opportunities at all to be honest so we’d love to get around a few support slots!
AM – What is one message you would give to your fans?
BENNY – Do what you love every day, and if you’re not sure what that is yet, that’s okay. Keep trying new things until you find it.
AM – What is the most useless talent you have?
BENNY – can bend his thumbs like all the way back on his hands. Pretty cooked and pretty useless.
AM – Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
BENNY – Any Bee Gees tracks.
AM – What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
BENNY – Still writing music I’m sure. It’s the most engaging and rewarding thing I do. I’d probably be travelling but just not playing music in every city I visited unless I could do some pub gigs.
AM – Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
BENNY – I think collectively our favourite was Paridiso in Amsterdam or Vessell 11 in Rotterdam. We’ve loved so many places we’ve played but those few days in the Netherlands were special in 2024. Hard to lock down a least favourite venue. Think it would probably be more that we have a bad show somewhere but that’s not really the venues fault. That said we played a random skate park in our hometown when we first started, not really our favourite by any stretch.
AM – What is your favourite song to perform?
BENNY – I think it always changes, like we’re super keen to play the new tunes off the album this tour. Out of the new ones I’m really keen to play Notice, just such a fun and fast tune to play.
AM – Which famous musicians do you admire?
BENNY – All the cliche’s like Paul McCartney and those lads. Cant speak for all the fellas but for me (Benny) it’s a long list but for now the top picks would have to be Tyler the Creator, Suki Waterhouse, Elliott Smith, Matt from Cage the Elephant, Lil Yachty, Faye Webster, Dijon. I should probably stop.
AM – What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
BENNY – Don’t think this is the most we’ve been in but somewhere in Tasmania a couple months ago we accidentally sent Fraz through the hotel window a few floors up. Didn’t fall thankfully. Hotel and our manager weren’t stoked with us.
AM – What is the best advice you’ve been given?
BENNY – Can’t think of anything mind blowing off the top of my head but if I had to dish some out I’d just say it’s cool to not know exactly who you are or ‘what you’re doing with your life’. Try all sorts of things and live all sorts of lives, I’m not too old yet but I’m sure when I’m real old I’ll still be trying to figure out my own shit.
AM – What’s next for you?
BENNY– Touring, writing, recording, living. Our debut albums out Feb 21st which I’m unbelievably keen to put out. Already working on the next few tunes so will see how they turn out but already feeling hot on them.
Tour Dates
21 Feb – Sydney, AUS – LOW TICKETS
22 Feb – Melbourne, AUS – LOW TICKETS
1 Mar – Brisbane, AUS – SOLD OUT
6 Mar – Perth, AUS
7 Mar – Perth, AUS – LOW TICKETS
8 Mar – Adelaide, AUS
9 Mar – Hobart, AUS
19 Mar – New York, USA – LOW TICKETS
21 Mar – Toronto, CAN – SOLD OUT
23 Mar – Chicago, US
25 Mar – LA, USA
26 Mar – San Francisco, USA
28 Mar – Vancouver, CAN
FOLLOW RUM JUNGLE
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
