Few artists embody raw energy and fearless reinvention quite like G Flip. The Melbourne-born, LA-based singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist has carved out their own lane in modern pop and rock — one that’s equal parts anthemic, unapologetically queer, and rhythm-driven to the core.

On September 5th, G Flip will release their third full-length album, Dream Ride, via AWAL Recordings. It’s a maximalist, neon-drenched record that channels late-night drives through Los Angeles, Bruce Springsteen’s stadium-sized drama, and the larger-than-life reverb of the 1980s — all filtered through the perspective of a queer, non-binary artist whose stories resonate universally. Working once again with long-time collaborator Aidan Hogg, G Flip pushed themselves to play every instrument on the album, weaving together songs that balance intimacy and euphoria, heartbreak and celebration.

Fans have already had a taste: singles like “Disco Cowgirl” (hailed by Billboard, Entertainment Tonight, Rolling Stone, and GLAAD, who crowned it the “song of the summer”), “Big Ol’ Hammer” (an unapologetically queer anthem with a Grease Lightnin’-inspired video), and “In Another Life” (spotlighted by Rolling Stone as a “song you need to know”). Together, they set the tone for a record that’s as playful as it is profound.

The release follows the massive success of 2023’s DRUMMER, which debuted at #1 on the ARIA charts, earned triple j’s Best Album of the Year, and fueled a globe-spanning tour that sold over 65,000 tickets and earned G the ARIA Award for Best Live Act. In the past two years alone, they’ve covered Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” (with Taylor herself giving the stamp of approval), graced the cover of Us Weekly’s Pride Edition alongside partner Chrishell Stause, and proven time and again that they’re one of today’s most dynamic live performers.

Now, with Dream Ride on the horizon and a headline world tour kicking off September 9th, G Flip is gearing up for their most ambitious chapter yet. We caught up with them to talk about their love for the 80s, the stories behind the songs, and what fans can expect when they hit the road.

Mundane: Let’s talk about the record. Dream Ride feels like a big statement—where is this coming from for you?

G Flip: This is my third record, and I feel like I’ve really matured as a songwriter and producer over the last six or seven years. With this album, I went deep into the 80s—studying how they recorded drums, saturated vocals with reverb, gated snares, even taking the resonant heads off drums to get that depth. The whole decade was big and dramatic—huge drum kits, sax solos, key changes—and I wanted to bring that sense of drama into my own music.

Mundane: A lot of people say the 80s were “superficial” compared to the grit of the 90s. Do you buy into that?

G Flip: Honestly, I’ve never really heard anyone shit on the 80s—everyone around me loves it. I didn’t grow up in the decade, but I think it’s one of the most musical eras ever. It was a time where musicians flexed—lots of solos, big arrangements, creative key changes. Now you can splice anything on a laptop, but back then you had to get inventive to keep listeners hooked. I just think it was a golden age.

Mundane: Storytelling-wise, how would you describe Dream Ride?

G Flip: Nostalgic. There are songs about love, about sex, about loss, about celebrating your wins. Tracks like Disco Cowgirls lean into that 80s nostalgia, while others are just about stepping back and appreciating where you’re at. I always write from real experience—mine or people close to me—so everything comes from a truthful place.

Mundane: Is there one song that feels like the heart of the record?

G Flip: Probably I Don’t Want to Regret or Let’s Take This Show on the Road. I Don’t Want to Regret is a celebration track—it’s about remembering to give yourself credit, even for the little things. Life’s tough, and I needed a song that reminded me to step back and say, “Hey, I’m actually doing all right.” Let’s Take This Show on the Road feels timeless to me. I think I’ll still love that one when I’m 90.

Mundane: You worked closely with Aidan Hogg on this one. How does collaboration look in your world?

G Flip: Me and Aidan go way back, and for this record we wrote over 100 songs in three months. Our process is full-on—we’re both multi-instrumentalists, so we’re literally playing everything ourselves. I’m more on drums, he’s more on guitar and bass, but we swap around. We’d write three songs a day, fully producing them on the spot. Friends would drop in—sax players, co-writers—and add fresh energy. My studio in LA is just filled with instruments and light; it’s my favorite place in the world.

Mundane: For young musicians who look up to you, what’s the best advice you’ve been given?

G Flip: Get your 10,000 hours. Practice relentlessly. For my first show, I rehearsed everything that could go wrong—mic not working, broken strings, losing a drumstick—so when my mic actually cut out at South by Southwest, I was ready. That first gig can define how you feel about performing forever, so preparation is everything.

Mundane: Do you remember that first show?

G Flip: Yeah, my first-ever was a battle of the bands at a community center when I was 14. I joined some guys from another school and we played all originals—it was the most exciting thing. Later, I played in a bunch of Melbourne bands before going solo. My first solo show was at SXSW in Austin, which was wild—mic issues and all. I used to always start shows behind the drum kit, but I think this tour I might step out front right away.

Mundane: Speaking of tour—you’ve got a massive one coming. What can fans expect?

G Flip: We’re hitting the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. It’s going to be high-energy, pure 80s vibes—keytars, sax solos, big drum moments. I even learned sax for the record so I could play those parts live myself. It’s going to be a celebration every night.

Mundane: And visually? Your aesthetic feels as bold as your sound.

G Flip: For this record, I asked myself: if I lived in the 80s, what would I look like? So, I chopped my hair, dyed it platinum, imagined my dream car—a hot pink muscle car with a black bonnet—and put it on the album cover. I dug into 80s movie posters, music videos, fonts, everything. It’s all about creating a fully immersive era.

Mundane: Final question: best of the 80s. Who stands out for you?

G Flip: There are so many—Springsteen, Madonna, The Clash, The Cure, Talking Heads, Guns N’ Roses, The Stones. Whitney, Tina. Some of the greatest artists of all time. And the production—LinnDrum, Junos, PolySix synths—was just revolutionary. It was a crazy, brilliant decade.