Selling A Vibe feels like a revitalised chapter for The Cribs. What sparked that renewed creative fire after more than two decades together?
To be honest, I think getting off the treadmill and away from the industry for a while was a big part of it. Throughout our first bunch of albums – from the independent years into the major label period etc etc – we were just going from one album campaign to another, and although that worked at the time, eventually you start to get burned out.
The Albini record we made (“24-7 Rock Star Shit” – 2017) sort of intentionally closed the book on all of that, and then we spent a few years just refusing to tour until we reclaimed our catalogue rights – we didn’t want to promote records that we were in dispute over – and it was during that downtime that we wrote our prior LP “Night Network”. As much as we enjoyed making that record, the pandemic made it impossible for us to tour behind it – so this is really the first LP that we have made since having this feeling of liberty and control over things. And it has been very liberating.
The album blends modern pop recording techniques with your trademark raw, hook‑driven sound. How did you strike that balance without losing the identity fans connect with?
We’ve always been fans of pop music – particularly late 80’s into the early 90’s pop – that stuff was really influential to us as kids, so I think seeing the way production was going in the modern era, it seemed kind of appropriate to at least give that a go. We had also been lucky enough to work with pretty much every producer that we grew up admiring – so it seemed like trying something new made a lot more sense at this stage. Also, we have a tendency to react to our prior record – and “Night Network” was self-produced…so this time we just went the opposite way and fully trusted someone that we had no experience or preconceptions with. That was also a really liberating experience too actually.
As for finding the balance – we just sort of leant into that side of our music which was already there and then trusted Patrick to enhance that. It didn’t feel like we were trying to contrive anything.
The pandemic left you split across New York, Portland and Wakefield. How did that physical distance reshape your approach to writing and recording once you reunited?
We’ve learned to work apart much more over the last few years. I think it’s part of what’s kept us together really. The approach is the same as it’s ever been though – instead of being routine, we get together when we are all excited about doing so and have a bunch of ideas already – so ultimately, it means intense sessions of work and enthusiasm. It’s never a slog. Grinding away just takes you further away from getting anywhere in our experience cos you end up not enjoying it and that ends up permeating the process with negative association. It’s important to fundamentally either enjoy it or get something personal out of it. It’s not meant to be done on a schedule, punching in and punching out.
‘Brothers Won’t Break’ closes the album with a powerful declaration of unity. What does that song represent for you now, especially as you head into a full national tour again?
I just realised that we had never written a song about our own relationship. A lot of our songs are relationship orientated – but we had always sort of ignored that one. It was a bit embarrassing at first putting it out there like that, but once it was done it felt really good. It might be my favourite track on the album. I usually find that the songs that feel a bit uncomfortable at first are the ones that we end up the proudest of, and that have the most resonance.
Selling A Vibe is rooted in family and resilience. How do those themes translate when you’re performing the new material live?
I don’t know really. It’s always been a fundamental part of who we are and what we represent as a band. So, we don’t think about it. I hope it comes across to the people who are in the audience – that sincerity and sense of community – but I can’t say. It’s just always been so intrinsic to who we are, you know?
This is your first Australian tour since 2018. What feels different about returning now, with a new album and a renewed sense of togetherness?
The whole “Selling A Vibe” tour has been really great, and very reinvigorating. I guess because in a lot of ways it’s actually a choice for us now to be doing this. And so, we really value it. Everyone is psyched. So, it’s a great time for us to be coming back down there. The shows have been killer so far.
With nine albums behind you, how do you decide which fan favourites to bring back into the setlist alongside the new songs?
It’s hard. That’s the hardest part. Especially when you don’t get to places that often. Our setlists end up super finely balanced – like, switching even one thing can have a real domino effect on the flow and energy of the show. So, once we get it dialled in we pretty much commit to it from there. But we will take requests, and if some people really want certain songs, then we are always down for that.
After touring China, Hong Kong and Japan and now gearing up for Australia, how does it feel to see Selling A Vibe connecting with fans across such different cultures while still carrying that unmistakable Cribs identity?
It’s amazing. We never, ever take that for granted. It’s beautiful – the big UK shows this summer were really emotionally overwhelming for me at times. Very very meaningful. But when you get further away from home and people are there and they have your back, and care about you and all express it in different ways – it’s very affecting, and that’s been something I’ve really carried with me this year. I don’t know exactly why, but I’ve been viscerally able to appreciate that recently. I mean, I have always appreciated it – but this tour especially I’ve become really aware of that in a more acute way. It’s cool, but it can be intense.
THE CRIBS October 2026 Australian Tour Dates
Sunday 4th October – 170 Russell, MELBOURNE
Monday 5th October – Factory Theatre, SYDNEY
Tuesday 6th October – The Triffid, BRISBANE
Thursday 8th October – Rosemount, PERTH
Tickets On Sale Now From: http://daltours.cc/thecribs
