Catching Up with The Moving Stills

Catching Up with The Moving Stills

We first crossed paths with NSW Central Coast (Darkinjung Country) outfit The Moving Stills back in January 2024, when their sun-dappled second album Wabi Sabi became our Record of the Month. Breezy, melodic, and sneakily profound, it was a record that struck a chord with Waxx Lyrical members — a coastal daydream with depth beneath the shimmer. Not long after, frontman Tom Mahler jumped online for a warm and easy conversation, and the band even rolled through Brisbane for an impromptu pop-up set that brought a little bit of that Central Coast charm to the city.

Since then, The Moving Stills have done anything but stay still. They’ve toured relentlessly, landed major support slots, and dropped two infectious singles — ‘Telephone’ and ‘Running Out’ — that hint at a band evolving in real time. Still unmistakably themselves, but with a growing confidence and clarity that suggests something bigger is on the horizon.

As they gear up for what’s next, we check back in with one of Australia’s most quietly thrilling indie acts to talk with Mahler once again, this time about milestones, momentum, and the beauty of not rushing the process.

It’s been a huge ride since Wabi Sabi—how’s the whirlwind of touring, festivals, and chart love been from your end? What are some highlights from this time?

The last few years have been really amazing. Wabi Sabi brought a few firsts for us, which was awesome. The album tour felt so special, and the festivals have also been so great. We played The Great Escape Festival in Tasmania over NYE and the turn out and sing-alongs were amazing. That stuff never gets old.

‘Telephone’ absolutely blew up—congrats. How did it feel seeing it become triple j’s most-played track with new music? Is there ever a fear that, upon releasing new music, the support may dry up?

We’ve been very lucky and grateful to have the support of a station like triple j. When releasing music, we hope that it resonates with everyone, but we feel there’s so many more songs in the pipeline, that if something doesn't connect with someone, maybe the next one will. 

You’ve now toured with some massive names—Spacey Jane, Nothing But Thieves, The Rubens... any standout memories or lessons you’ve taken from those runs?

These tours have been incredible. We all grew up going to see shows at venues like the Enmore Theatre and the Hordern Pavilion, so to be playing these kinds of rooms with these acts is a pinch me moment. 

Dish the dirt, or tell us one story at least. :)

A story that comes to mind from a show last year. Mike had lost his phone the day of the show, and we weren’t able to get in contact with him all afternoon. We put a post up on instagram saying if anyone sees him to let him know we play at 8. He did make the show in the end, and he found his phone, but it was looking worrying there for a while. That night Ben also did his final uni exam online in the green room. It was all happening that night.

From triple j rotation to a sync with WA Government and Rage airplay—how have these moments shaped your journey as a band?

Having opportunities and support like that surrounding the music we make is amazing. They keep spirits high and help spread our music to more people. We’ve felt the engagement around our live shows growing over the last few years which is really nice.

'Running Out' feels like a natural evolution—upbeat and groovy, but lyrically raw. Can you tell us a bit about the story behind it?

We wrote Running Out about the feeling in a relationship, where you feel that you might be leaning on the other person a little too much. The fear that you’ve exhausted them with your emotional load. When you’re going through a rough patch and you reach out for support, but you’re scared of overreaching. We worked on this with our friend Henry Nowhere in LA. Henry brought a new feel to the production that we’re really excited by. 

What can you tease about the upcoming EP project for 2025? How does it build on what you've done so far?

It’s a selection of songs that tie into what we’ve done previously, but leaning into flavours of what’s to come beyond it. There’s songs that were from around the time of Wabi Sabi, and some pretty recent tracks. We are excited to share lots of new music over the next year.

How has your sound or approach changed since you first formed on the Central Coast?

We’ve learnt so much over the years of playing as a band together. We have become more experimental with our sound over the years, changing the way we use rhythms, lyrics and instrumentation a lot. We like to explore and keep trying new things, it makes for a very free creative space. 

As an Aussie act with growing international buzz—any plans to take things overseas in a bigger way?

We’d really love to take our music overseas. We’re often chatting about ideas and places we’d like to go. We’ll be playing our first New Zealand shows on the Spacey Jane tour we have coming up eh oh we are excited for. 

What’s been on high rotation for you lately—albums, artists, or even just one song that’s been hitting right?

We’ve been listening to lots of Fontaines DC over the last year. We’ve also been loving Egoism, The Tullamarines, Earth to Josh and Sugar Soap. 

Finally, what’s something you want fans to feel when they hear your new material?

Hoping that listeners can feel us opening up even more in our music, and feel us experimenting and trying new things. We want to keep things exciting. A lot more music is coming :)

THE MOVING STILLS' 'RUNNING OUT' AND 'TELEPHONE' OUT NOW

ON TOUR WITH SPACEY JANE MAY / JUNE. TICKETS HERE