The lockdowns and restrictions of 2020 were not kind to the music industry, and for Melbourne alt-rockers British India the timing was particularly tough.
After touring their 2017 album, Forgetting the Future, founding member and guitarist Nic Wilson departed after nearly 15 years with the band.
By the start of 2020 the remaining three members, Declan Melia, Will Drummond and Matt O’Gorman, had recruited Jack Tosi to replace Wilson in the lead guitarist role and the energy was high.
“We met Jack and we were just blown away; he was just awesome in every single way,” drummer O’Gorman said.
“I knew he was a gun guitarist, so when Nick left I hit him up and sent him a bunch of songs.
“Literally from the first song, it was like he’d been in the band for five years. We were just blown away.
“So (in early 2020) there was a lot of excitement and energy. We’re back, let’s go play some shows, let’s meet up regularly to record. Then COVID hit and put a stop to that.”
All three remaining original members had other gigs – Melia is a lawyer, Drummond runs a pub and O’Gorman presents on Triple M – and the band’s momentum stalled.
“We had stuff to keep us busy, but being in Melbourne was pretty miserable,” O’Gorman said.
“Certainly, none of us really felt creative and we just had to get through it.”
But things changed last year when the band found out their songs I Can Make You Love Me and Suddenly had gone platinum and gold, respectively.
“We were a bit shocked; being a musician, any time you get an accolade, you never take it in your stride, you’re always pretty thankful unless you’re a massive band,” O’Gorman said.
The band embarked on a national tour in February to mark the awards, which will include a stop at the Torquay Hotel , and are enjoying the touring more than ever.
“Things are good, it’s really fun and we’re in such a great place,” O’Gorman said.
“I feel like we’re playing and sounding as good as we ever have, and people are saying that at gigs, too.
“One thing that COVID did was make us really grateful for this thing we have. We’re not taking it for granted and there’s this newfound excitement for getting together as friends, as a band, and travelling and playing live together.”
British India perform at the Torquay Hotel on Saturday, April 1.
