scruffy dogs and yoghurt cups make me smile

For all the girlfriends and wives out there pining for their men to get them a puppy, kitten or bunny (and i mean the non-battery-powered-mammal varieties) your wishes have come true.

Sydney's indie psych-pop band Danimals have been making cuddly tunes that sound like a blend of Animal Collective, The Ruby Suns and the Rugrats on disco-biscuits.

Wearing my favourite hessian blouse, i saw them play a dashing set as Metronomy's support at Oxford Arts on October 1. I was so impressed with their progressive band structure and ethereal compositional harmony that i decided to chat to band founder and Sherlock's Daughter keyboardist Jonti Danilewitz.

Apart from spinning me the fuck out with his cryptic analogies and sneaky palm tickles (nb. i may be lying), i found out which foods inspire the band and what it sounds like to be followed by a scruffy dog.

Yo mang, when and how did Danimals form?

Earlier this year, i had been recording by myself late into the milky night. Until one day the guys in the frikin wonderful band Megastick Fanfare talked me into doing the recordings live, which resulted in some borderline slapstick solo shows with me and a sampler (thanks guys!). Later i called on three drummers who i thought were pretty awesome to help me out, and they complied. Additionally a bass player complied as well.

So who are these complying band members and what do they play?

Well there's a drum kit, percussion and synth station that Will Russell (Sherlock's Daughter), Julien Sudek (Mercy Arms) and Moses Macrae (Phrase) all rotate around. Jaie Gonzalez later joined on bass and sampler.

From whence do you draw aesthetic inspiration when writing songs?

Collectively were all pretty influenced by food at the moment. Some things we've been into are spelt curry lentil and gado gado pies, bananas, black rice and peppermint tea. When doing those solo recordings i would just appropriate songs from my dusty record collection which is always a wonderful learning process!

Mmmm tasty. So what was it like supporting Metronomy? Did you meet them backstage/at the trough?

Pretty frikin amazing! They were lovely people with lovely sophisticated british accents. Additionally they show was pure bliss!

That's lovely. How would you describe your sound without making reference to genre or other bands?

It sounds like going for a jog while being followed by a scruffy dog, who follows you through all creaks and valleys to later befriend you and become a close companion just before you've reached your destination.

Um, ok then. Does the band name have anything to do with low fat yoghurt cups?

No, however we confidently affiliate ourselves with chimps, whose faces are used for low fat yoghurt cups.

Speaking of chimps, were any of you at Parklife? If so, what rocked your socks there?

Yeah, i actually played there with Will in our other band Sherlocks Daughter. We were pretty great :D

To me its all about Seekae, Megastick Fanfare, Ghoul and in terms of the headliners Cool Kids and Metronomy (of course) were pretty incredible!

When will peeps see an EP/LP?

Gonna remain hush bout when and how, but LP's will appear.

If you could collectively sign anyone’s boobies (male or female) who would it be and why?

Most members are in rather committed relationships, so im just gonna lie and say we all have amish pasts and would be most keen to sign the udders of our pets.

Danimals - Hornets Nest

Danimals will be at the Annandale on December 13, supporting WHY? with Seekae. Book here.