Born Lion Bigger Than Jesus Interview

Bigger Than Jesus Fest

In February last year Sydney-based hard rock band, Born Lion released their sophomore full-length album 'Celebrate the Lie', produced by Jimmy Balderstone (Luca Brasi, High Tension) and mixed by Ryan Hazell (The Drones, Green Buzzard).

Not being a band that can rest on their laurels for long. These gentlemen of rock got back into a creative space and have nailed it with the new single 'Bigger Than Jesus'. This track comes out swinging like King Kong's nether regions!

With engineering from Jason Blackwell (Midnight Oil, The Hard-Ons) and mixing and mastering from Forrester Savall (Karnivool, Shihad), the result is a super high energy and frenetic party anthem from a band seeking to escape their demons.

"This song came after a very tough period for the band. I think there was a collective sense of wanting to just get back to having fun and when we got back in the jam room this is what came out." - John Bowker (Vocals / Guitar)

The band has also curated their own series of mini-festivals - 'Bigger Than Jesus Fest' - coming to Sydney, Wollongong and Melbourne in February 2019. The line up boasts acts such as Rick Dangerous and the Silkie Bantams, Jonesez, Dropping Honey, Fait Accompli Whispering Jackie, Ess-Em and a 10 year reunion set from Sydney's Bitchslap.

Tour Dates:

SATURDAY 2 FEBRUARY – OLD BAR – MELBOURNE
w/  Jonesez, The Quarters, Sophisticated Dingo
https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/e91d5f98-75ad-4437-bbc9-953eac8df259

FRIDAY 8 FEBRUARY – BIGGER THAN JESUS FEST – CHIPPO HOTEL, SYDNEY
w/ Rick Dangerous and the Silkie Bantams, Fait Accompli, Whispering Jackie, Ess-Em
https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/396777ca-64db-4a16-94c7-355d5fbf5b4c

SATURDAY 9 FEBRUARY – BIGGER THAN JESUS FEST – SERVO FOOD TRUCK BAR
w/ Dropping Honey, Bitchslap, Fait Accompli, Whispering Jackie, El Bastardo
https://events.humanitix.com.au/bigger-than-jesus-born-lion-and-friends

Interview with Born Lion

Question: How would you describe your music?

John Bowker: Party starting high energy rock'n'roll.


Question: What inspired the song and title, Bigger Than Jesus?

John Bowker: It was a line in the song... the song is about the feeling of confidence and power whilst on certain illicit substances.


Question: Can you tell us about Bigger Than Jesus Fest?

John Bowker: It's a series of festivals where we have handpicked the line ups. Every band we asked said yes straight up so we're pretty stoked with it all.


Question: How did you go about choosing acts for the festival lineup?

John Bowker: It was just bands that we are mates with and some like Whispering Jackie are mates we made on our last tour, they're awesome!


Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

John Bowker: I have to say Good Times Jimmy is always great. We have a bit where the crowd can join in and it's always super fun.


Question: What should we expect from your upcoming tour?

John Bowker: It'll be a massive party with a massive cast of legends.


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?

John Bowker: My wife because I love it when she's there but other than that I'd say a Josh Homme appearance would be a bonus! "What's going on Josh? I've been to heaps of your gigs!?"


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

John Bowker: Hmm both I love, nothing really tops a live show though.


Question: What is the story behind the band name?

John Bowker: Not much (laughs)! We needed to change our name, Born Lion came to me and I like the idea that we are all born equal and innocent… then the man breaks us slowly over time!

Question: How did the band come together?

John Bowker: Red the guitarist and I have been playing together for a long time; we started Born Lion about five years ago and recruited some local Sydney rock n rollers to complete the lineup!


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

John Bowker: Good question, it's all different things and it works in cycles. I've noticed that I'll write a lot for a period and then nothing for a while. I'm always trying to outdo what I've done before so I guess that's a significant motivator.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

John Bowker: I love Wolf Alice, also a bit of Cure in there and some sneaky 21 Pilots admittedly due to my seven year old, they're quite good I must admit. The new Totally Unicorn song is also incredible.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

John Bowker: Nirvana.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

John Bowker: I reckon Bertie Blackman would be awesome.


Question: Can you share your socials?

John Bowker: https://www.facebook.com/bornlionmusic
@bornlionmusic
https://www.celebratethelie.com


Interview by Brooke Hunter