There’s no gin with this Tonix
CityMag sat down with Adelaide electronic band Tonix ahead of their latest single release and performances at AdeLOUD and VAILO Adelaide 500.
When CityMag met with one-half of the Adelaide electronic band Tonix, there was one question top of mind: where does the name come from?
Archie McEwan, who plays sax in the band, laughs and says they should come up with a pre-prepared answer to this often-asked question.
“We were just trying to come up with something that would tick a lot of boxes in terms of being short and memorable, being something that’s not already in use in the music world, and also something that was going to be quite aesthetically brandable,” says Archie.
“I think it’s the idea, obviously, that the tonic in music is the root note – it’s a theory thing – and then having the X was a bit of spice on top of it, but it was something we came up with and went, ‘yeah’, that’s cool’.”
The embryo of the Tonix started when two mates from high school, Archie and Henry Brill-Reed, used their shared passion for the saxophone to busk for pocket money.
Searching for a unique sound, the music duo took advantage of Henry’s skill on keys with the addition of synths.
“We started combining the really unique sound of saxophone, which I played, and all his keys stuff and then were working on our production,” says Archie.
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“I think the body to [synths] and a richness that is hard to get from many other instruments, especially because of the flexibility.”
But the band was missing something from its sound, so while recording their EP When We Are, they decided to enlist vocalist Sammi Keough, who Henry knew from primary school.
“We decided that we wanted to make music that people can relate to more and it was definitely a necessary touch. Sammy is obviously the G.O.A.T, the queen of vocals,” says Archie.
“Archie reached out to me one day and said ‘We’re looking for a singer’. I remember sending Archie a voice note of me singing a random section of a song,” Sammi says.
“I think I called you for the first time like ‘What did you think of my voice?’, you’re like, ‘Yeah it’s fine’.”
Tonix will perform at AdeLOUD and the VAILO Adelaide 500 this weekend. Photo: William Coombs
Formed in 2021, Tonix consists of Archie on tenor sax, Henry on synths and vocalist Sammi, while session drummer Miles Sly can also be heard on the electronic band’s recordings that offer hints of rock, hip-hop, metal and pop.
Archie says his favourite synths are a Roland SYSTEM-8 and an FA-06, with the band citing influences such as M82’s Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, Coldplay’s Parachutes, Rüfüs Du Sol and metalcore band While She Sleeps.
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“It’s really a mix of all the different influences, you pick the best bits, and then you try and mutually agree on how we can make that Tonix,” says Archie.
“I think something that actually makes us so good and so unique is that you can’t really put us into a box,” adds Sammi.
They collaborate on the songwriting.
“Usually the root of it is Henry with a melodic idea with chorus and then he brings Archie to flesh it out more, then he’ll talk to me about lyrics and we’ll discuss lyrics as a group,” explains Sammi.
The group says when writing a new tune, the ability to create energy when performing the song live is front of mind, as well as allowing each instrument to have its moment to shine.
In just under four years together, the band has put out five singles and their EP, with their latest single Step Back being released this Friday, followed by performances at the VAILO Adelaide 500 and AdeLOUD, which celebrates the University of Adelaide’s 150th anniversary.
“I think anyone that comes to our show is always there’s always something that surprises them or takes them aback, like the covers we do, or new songs we’ve got, or songs that they’ve heard a thousand times and it’s finally a different way,” says Sammi.
“You’ll hear our music that you hear on Spotify, but a bunch more and you’re going to come out and have a great time. There are always songs to jump to, and there are always songs to dance and cry to.”
Tonix releases their newest single, Step Back, Friday November 15.
Tonix will perform at AdeLOUD this Saturday and VAILO Adelaide 500 on Sunday, followed by a performance at Dougstock Music Festival on December 6.