Frontman Charlie Bowmaker said the former Goulburn Valley Grammar students began playing together in small country pubs throughout the Goulburn Valley seven years ago.
“We started playing music together in Year 9 . . . and gigged around Shepparton and Echuca in our late high school years,” he said.
“Having that background and growing up with so much space around us really influenced how we've approached playing music and writing music.”
After graduating in 2018, Charlie, Winton Findlay, Tobi Oladele and James Cowling took a chance and relocated to Melbourne to study music and pursue a career in the industry.
“We couldn't be happier that we've followed our passion to study music,” Mr Bowmaker said.
“Growing up, a career in the music industry wasn't promoted as something that was particularly viable - something that you should put all your eggs in the basket for.
“I think it's good to remember while growing up in the country is amazing, it can limit what you believe the opportunities are for you.
“But there's a whole world out there - and music is something you can do. A career in the arts is something you can be happy in doing.”
Since landing in Melbourne, Go Dog Go have caused a stir at youth radio network Triple J, receiving four star reviews from the likes of Triple J Unearthed executive producer Tommy Faith.
The four boys hit the scene in 2020 with a cover of 70s post-punk band Joy Division's Isolation - fittingly recorded separately over lockdown, in the confines of their separate share house bedrooms.
But The Movie offers the first taste of original music from the band, in anticipation of an EP to be released later this year.
“It feels instantly familiar with its warm, percussive opening, but soon offers a unique take on its lo-fi pop grounding,” Mr Bowmaker said.
“We are definitely influenced by Joy Division, but also bands like Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Tame Impala and LCD Soundsystem.”
The track features their signature jazz-infused pop sound, weaving out of dreamy synths, Fender guitar and bass.
Following the highly-anticipated release, Go Dog Go's upcoming headline show at Melbourne's Gasometer Hotel sold out in less than 24 hours.
But Mr Bowmaker said there'd be plenty of opportunity to catch them live before they hit the big time.
“We've played at Jamie Lea's gigs in the past and now that COVID-19 is hopefully on the outward end, we'd love to come back and play one of those,” he said.
“We do have tentative plans later in the year to tour regional Victoria, and Shepparton will be a definite location for that.”
Listen to Go Dog Go's debut single online at https://fanlink.to/go-dog-go-the-movie
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