Jack Milas met Oli Chang 3 tears ago and together formed High Highs and about to release the single Phone Call with General Pants Co.’s record label 'singles only'.
How long has this band been together? How did get started?
We met working together about 3 years ago, i guess we didnt really decide that we were in a "band" together until about a year ago. We were making music together pretty soon after we met. Initially we were going to release a quick, weird little folk album of stuff we already had, but gradually we decided to take it more seriously. So the band is very new. We've just been chipping away at these songs when we had time out of work hours.

What inspires your music (artists/day to day stuff…)
The usual i guess, other bands are a big factor. the country, silence.

If you could go on tour with any band dead/alive who would it be and why
Probably Neil Young or a banging electro band like Modeselektor.

Do you feel supported by your local music scene? What is your general perception of the current Australian music industry?
We actually just moved to new york. we dont really see any reason to move back to australia for the band. I guess its pretty clear to us that being in new york is vastly superior to being in Sydney if you want to try and 'make it' or whatever. Opportunities here are infinite. We're really lucky to be over here.

Its sad to see venues like the hopetoun closing in sydney. I guess in one way that forces bands to seek out other venues to play and really push to get their music heard. on the other hand getting that first step up is harder. Support in Australia is generally pretty good, but the tall poppy thing is definitely an aspect over there, which is a shame. But people are generally pretty cool.

What are your current plans for world domination? Do you think a band has to leave Australia to really achieve great success?
We just want to make our record the best it can be and release it in the best way available to us. The live thing will be cool too and we're working hard at that. I think its obvious these days that the internet is making it easier for a bad say in Australia to get heard overseas. I saw the Middle east are playing coachella this year - which is awesome! But despite the internet, yeah being in new york like we are, you really get a sense of having a shot at it, which is super exciting for us

Have you done much touring outside your hometown?
No - we've only played 3 or 4 shows. we're so new and work all the time, we havent had a chance yet. We'll be playing in new york in the coming months though

Describe your best and worst ever gig? What happened? 
I guess it was our first gig, it was at the Hopetoun Hotel in sydney and I didn't see it happen, but apparently a rat ran up on to the stage and up the curtain behind me during this quiet, meditative song I was playing solo. My mum actually caught it on film. I could hear people laughing and i didnt know why. It was super weird.

Who do you think is the next big thing (apart from your good selves of course!)
Iv'e just discovered Local Natives, but I guess theyre already pretty big. Our friends in Japan are in this band called Trippple Nippples, they're fantastic. Great live show.

What musical instruments are you hankering after? Describe your dream gear set up?
I really want a Charango. There's this great album called Ronroco by Gustavo Santaolalla, all based around the charango, its so beautiful. It's a really nice instrument but it might be kind of awkward to whip out on stage.