The Aussie Duo PEKING DUK Opens Up About Their Song ‘Sugar’ with JACK RIVER, Their Current Tour and Much More!

Peking Duk recently released their latest electro-pop anthem “Sugar” featuring Jack River.

On this new release, Peking Duk explains, “This beat and song went through so many different lifeforms before Holly jumped on board. We’ve always loved what Jack River does and how she does it, so once she said that she loved the idea and hopped on the song, everything fit perfectly. She changed what was once a sombre melancholic skeleton of a song into a fun, playful and sugary playground. Stoked. ❤️”

They also announced their Biggest Tour Ever, which will be taking on all major Australia markets, from Brisbane to Sydney to Adelaide. This is bound to be Peking Duk’s most exciting and diverse year to date. Their incredible talent continues to evolve as they surprise the public with ventures such as releasing an entertaining children’s book, ‘DJ DUKS’ (available now at djduks.com and Booktopia), and opening one of the hottest bars in Melbourne, Talk To Me. And that’s just in the past three months.

The ARIA Award winners have amassed over 270 million streams globally and accredited over 1.2 million ARIA units. They have taken their live show far beyond Australian borders, performing to sold-out crowds in venues and festivals across the US, UK, Asia and Europe.

Catapulting onto the Australian music scene in 2014, the ARIA-award winning duo of Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles have captivated fans across the world with their distinct flavor of indie electronica and electrifying live sets. Since making waves in 2015, where they had two singles in the top five of triple j’s Hottest 100, Peking Duk have released three triple platinum singles with “High,” “Take Me Over” and smash “Stranger” which landed at #1 on the ARIA Australian Artist Single Chart and earned them the ‘Song Of The Year’ ARIA award in 2017.

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Learn more about Peking Duk in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! What is on tap for the rest of your day for you both?

A: I’m just working away on some new music! Exciting times.

With the new year started, what is one musical goal that you have for your music? How would you say that 2019 has treated you so far?

R: 2019 has been incredible. Been writing and playing shows and they already feel better and bigger than last year’s!

Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be in this duo together? Has anything surprised you about this musical journey so far?

A: It all happened almost too naturally. We never really said “let’s be in a duo together”. Everything just flowed and we both loved creating the same kind of music so it felt right. We continually suprise ourselves by constantly learning. We still have a very long way to go and couldn’t be more excited about it.

How did you come up with you band name? Was it a difficult decision to make?

R: We had no planning in this.. We were out having drinks then noticed our mates stuck in the corner of a room absolutely peaking but not moving hahahah they were pulling duck faces and rolling around. Peaking like a duck was when we were so inebriated we couldn’t talk or walk or even move. The name represented our first styles of music, late night club music for peaking ducks.

How do you think your hometown has influenced the sound and how you both carry yourselves in this band?

A: Canberra is a small town but a loyal town. Everyone knows each other and that makes for a fun time growing up. I guess we were having so much fun partying to the club music around at the time that we wanted to try create our own music to party to. Canberra has taught us to be real no matter where you are or where you end up. It’s a down to earth town that breeds down to earth characters. Love it.

Let’s talk about your newest single, “Sugar.” What was the inspiration for it? What was it like working with Jack River on it? How would you say this song shows the musical growth that you two have gone through over the years?

R: Sugar is a hilarious and fun party track. It’s a track to show not everything in the world needs depth, and sometimes it’s more important to just enjoy yourself and forget about everything else.

When do you plan on releasing more new music and a full album of new songs?

A: We plan to release more music than ever in 2019….. we won’t give away any more clues!

Where do you think you are both happiest- in the studio recording new music, on stage performing or elsewhere?

R: In the studio! 

Do you have any upcoming shows you would like to tease? Why is your tour beginning in March called “The Biggest Tour Ever”? What can fans expect from these shows?

A: We can’t wait to come back over to the states and perform for all you legends with our new live show! It’s sweaty, loud and a whole lot of fun.

How do you think being musicians and in this band gives you all the most joy in life today?

R: Being musicians is a joyous thing for anyone, in a band or not. People that play or make music as a hobby would enjoy it just as much. As a lifestyle though it’s great, just need to have self motivation and excitement so you don’t become complacent.

We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious to know how your own music is reflecting this time period? If you don’t think it is, why is that? Would you say that other musicians are making music that has been influenced by this climate?

A: I think bringing politics in to your music is the artists choice. For me personally I think if it’s not done 100% right then it just looks clownish and can backlash quite harshly. I’m all for people speaking their voice on opinions but I feel it could be brought to light via many avenues.. If you are an established artist with a solid following you have a voice and people will listen so I think definitely use it but perhaps not specifically through music (unless done right). That’s just my two cents though!

Who would you love to work with in the future? Who are some of your favorite artists right now? What do you think would be a dream collaboration for this duo?

R: There are sooooooo many people we want to work with. Anyone and everyone from Julian Casablancas to Drake. There aren’t many people we would avoid. Fav artists right now are I Know Leopard, No Mono and The Voidz. Dream collab would be Kanye.

If you guys were all going to be stranded on a deserted island, what musical item would you want to take with you and why?

A: A juno (because they are the sexiest sounding synth out there), A fender strat and a VOX AC30 (because those two together create magic), A shure SM7B microphone and of course our laptops and speakers (with all appropriate sound cards and cabling hahahaha)

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

R: Our message is enjoy yourself. And don’t take anything too seriously. Lyrically we love creating little stories that are sometimes even sad but musically and melodically it’s all uplifting.