Delicate, Fun, and Classy, But Still Jumping Off Stuff: The Jungle Giants on Tour
The Jungle Giants blend indie roots, R&B evolution, and playful chaos on stage. I caught up with bassist Andrew Dooris on pre-show rituals, sonic shifts, and the joy of live music. Classy? Always. But they’re still jumping off stuff.
By the time The Jungle Giants hit the stage, everything already feels dialed in. Not just the lights, not just the sound – but the vibe. That kind of synergy doesn’t just happen. It comes from a group of friends who’ve spent years together: cooking, arguing (lightly), playing cards, and challenging each other to push musical boundaries in all the right directions.
Some bands you see live for their electric energy and others for the unexpected – The Jungle Giants somehow do both. Ten years and four albums in, the Brisbane-born four-piece are still evolving, still pushing boundaries, and still clearly having a blast.
I caught up with Andrew Dooris, the band’s bassist, just ahead of their current tour. It’s clear that behind the polished setlists and glossy production, at the core, this is still a group of mates who just love music (and making each other laugh).
The Pre-show Ritual
When it comes to life on the road, Andrew keeps things simple. He packs light – just some runners, a pen, and a stash of AAA batteries (for cameras and gear they tinker with backstage). Add a well-worn deck of cards (the game is always 500) and a shared love of good food, and you’ve got the essentials.
The Jungle Giants are foodies. Everyone in the band cooks: Andrew bakes bread, Sam’s into Mexican, Cesira leans Italian, and Keelan’s the outdoorsy, meat-and-pasta type. Before shows, it’s ritual to go for a share-style meal, typically Spanish or Mexican, though Andrew says you could make a case for Vietnamese.
“You get to know a place through its food,” he tells me, crediting Cesira for consistently scouting top-tier spots. They’ll often play cards at the table, earning confused glances from servers, especially in fancier restaurants, Andrew laughs.
As stage time approaches, the mood shifts. “About 90 minutes out, I go pretty quiet. I need to shut down a bit, do some breathing exercises and ground myself. Everyone’s got their own thing,” he explains. “Sam and Cesira kind of run the pre-show zone like an old married couple.” And then there’s one final secret: “I’ve got a surprise thing I do for the crowd… but I won’t spoil that.”
From Indie Rock to R&B
Since early records like Quiet Ferocity, The Jungle Giants have transitioned from guitar-heavy bangers to a sleeker, groove-forward sound. Their 2021 album Love Signs, written and produced entirely by frontman Sam Hales, leaned into ‘90s R&B – think Timbaland, Ashanti, and silky synths.
Love Signs (2021) by The Jungle Giants
At first, not everyone was sold. “I was more of a band guy,” Andrew admits. “I hadn’t really found dance music that rocked my world, beyond The Avalanches.” When Sam introduced synth-heavy parts for Heavy Hearted, some tough conversations were had, but ultimately led him to: “I was wrong. It was cool. Sam expanded my taste.”
For Andrew, that shift wasn’t just about sound – it was about growth. “We’ve never had a fixed idea of who we are,” he says. “We’re a career band. We’re here to keep making the best possible music of our lives, forever. So when Sam brings something new, I’m down to be shocked.”
Being in a band, he says, is all about trust. “You realize – he’s just expanding what this project can be.”
The Live Set
Merging their indie roots with slicker pop sounds wasn’t easy. “It’s been a challenge to blend those identities,” Andrew says. “But the setlist is where we solve it. We design it to flow so people can move between the vibes without whiplash.”
What does that look like? Polished transitions, elevated lighting and sound, and yes – still plenty of jumping into the crowd. “This tour is the most refined we’ve ever been,” he says. “We used to have pure chaotic energy. Now, it’s still fun and high-energy, but with a layer of class.”
Even the song selection is tailored live. “Heartless hits differently. So does Love Signs. And Charge My Phone always makes me laugh on stage.” But Hold My Hand might be the emotional centerpiece: Andrew says it’s important for people to “feel moved, to feel comfortable expressing themselves.” It’s less about how they feel during the performance, and more about what they release after. “I want people to let go of whatever they’re holding in.” That song gets his eyes watering on stage, while simultaneously busting a move.
What You Don’t See on Streaming
In an era of playlists and digital drops, it’s easy to forget that bands still rely on real-world support.
Andrew gets asked all the time what fans can do. His answer? Just show up. “You don’t need to buy merch or boycott Spotify. Just commit to going to a show – it’ll be good for you,” he says. “We love what we do, and we just want to keep doing it. Play to more happy people.” He even jokes that if it’s not them, just go see someone! Any live music is worth it.
It’s clear The Jungle Giants take music seriously – production, songwriting, the whole craft – but never themselves too seriously. There’s a deep respect for the art, the industry, and the people in the crowd. They just want to make you feel something. Move your body. Maybe cry a little.
Whether it’s exploring new sonic territory, leveling up their stage production, or bonding over a pre-show meal, The Jungle Giants are a band in constant motion. But at the heart of it all, the approach remains the same: fun, fluid, and always intentional.
If you haven’t caught them live yet, Andrew puts it best: “Delicate. Fun. Classy. But we’ll still jump off stuff.”
