Get To Know Sure Boy in 10 Questions or Less
Sure Boy, the notoriously cool indie-rock trio hailing from Aotearoa New Zealand, is making waves with their electrifying blend of punchy riffs, powerhouse vocals, and introspective songwriting. Comprised of Beth Stewart, Simone McCarthy, and Lily Fulton, Sure Boy has captivated audiences with their unforgettable live shows, drawing crowds across the country with their infectious energy and undeniable charisma.
Their recent tour saw sold-out performances, while their support slots for renowned acts like The Beths, Shonen Knife, and Teenage Dads have further cemented their growing reputation in the indie scene. With a sound that is both vibrant and heartfelt, Sure Boy is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with, poised to take their place among New Zealand's most exciting musical acts.
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Ones to Watch: So, introduce yourselves and tell us who Sure Boy is.
We’re Sure Boy! I’m Simone, that’s Beth, and that’s Lily. We’ve been playing together since 2020.
Beth: Yeah, I met Simone at uni, and I've known Lily since Year 10.
Lily: And I met Simone and Beth through music, and we’ve just been playing together in Wellington ever since.
That’s awesome! So, how did you all know music was going to be your thing?
Personally, I always knew it was going to be music. I got a bit wayward, tried other things, did the uni thing, but I always came back to it. I convinced myself I was going to be a primary school teacher for a while, but then I realized, no, that’s not for me. Music was the only thing I really wanted to do.
Lily: Same for me, I always wanted to be a rock star, even before I could play any instruments! Then in high school, I thought about journalism, but by the end of the year, I just knew I wanted to play music. So, I went for it at uni, and now here we are.
How would you describe your sound?
We’ve used the term "Mum rock" to describe our music for a while. It's kind of like a twist on dad rock—why is dad rock a genre, but mum rock isn’t? We love our mums, and they’re definitely a big influence.I think it’s pop rock with a bit of an old-school vibe, like ‘70s or ‘80s influences.
Have you noticed a change in your music over time? How has it evolved?
Absolutely, it’s matured a lot. We’ve been playing together for a few years now, and the more we get to know how we work as a band, the tighter our sound gets. When we were in uni, it was more experimental—trying things out. Now that we’re all working full time, we’re taking it more seriously and really focused on making it work.
How do you approach your songwriting? Do you all have specific roles in the process?
It depends on the song. Often, one person writes the song, and we bring it to band practice. Sometimes Beth and I will write something acoustically, and then we collaborate with the whole band. There are a few songs that came together just from jamming at practice.
Those songs that just appear out of nowhere during band practice are my favorite ones. It’s cool to see how each song comes together in its own way.
What motivates you to write music?
Everything, really. Life—whether it’s feeling happy, sad, or just going through the motions. There’s always something to write about. We’re all very emotional, and there’s always something that sparks inspiration.
If you wanted someone to take away one thing from your music, what would it be?
I just want people to feel good. When someone comes up to me after a show and says they had the best time, I feel like we’ve done our job. I want our music to be something people can forget about everything for a while and just have fun.
Have you experienced any challenges as a band?
Definitely. As young women in the music industry, there are definitely challenges. But we stick together, and that’s what makes it worthwhile. It’s tough, but it’s also beautiful to see how far we’ve come.
What would you say is your biggest career highlight so far?
Our recent tour was amazing. We played in the South Island for the first time, and it was a winter tour, so it was a little harder to get people out to the shows. But the turnout was fantastic, and seeing people show up was really special.
What are your goals for the future?
We’re manifesting a full album release and more music in general. We’d love to play internationally and eventually make a living from playing music full-time. That’s the dream.
Do you tend to plan your performances, or are you more spontaneous?
We try to plan, but honestly, it’s about the energy of the moment. The more we’re in the zone with the songs, the more spontaneous we can be.
