This five-piece alternative rock band who comes all the way from the Blue Mountains will transform you with their dark, deserty rock and roll. Combining influences from acts like Queens of the Stone Age, The Tea Party, Nick Cave, Kyuss, and Black Sabbath, the Psyrens have way more than enough groove to go around. They’re getting ready to hit the Emergenza stage again, this time for the semi-finals at The Factory Theatre on the 1st. Before the show, they hang out and talk to Emergenza about how the first round went down, and what they have in store for the semi-finals.

CAN YOU INTRODUCE US TO THE BAND?
We're Psyrens! We're a rock band from the Blue Mountains, pleasure to make your acquaintance.

WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE FIRST ROUND FOR YOU?
Being able to play at an actual venue, not just a pub somewhere in Sydney. It was a first for us so it was kind of a novelty.

OUT OF ALL THE SONGS YOU PLAYED, WHICH ONE GOT THE BIGGEST REACTION OUT OF THE CROWD AND WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?
Probably our last song of the night “The Dark Red Room”. It's a big crowd pleasing blues-rock song that's heaps of fun to dance too, what's not to like!

HOW DO THE SONGS GET WRITTEN? WHAT'S YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
There's no real set in stone process. Some songs we write together in the studio, others are written at home by one or two of us and then brought to the rest of the band. It's sort of whatever works, you know?

YOU MENTION THAT YOU'RE FROM THE BLUE MOUNTAINS. IN WHAT WAY DO YOU THINK YOUR ENVIRONMENT MIGHT PLAY A ROLE ON YOUR SOUND?
Well there's not much to do up here other than play music and go to the pub... so I guess the boredom of living up here has inspired us to fill our time making awesome music!

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE FIRST ROUND AND WHAT YOU LEARNED FROM IT?
Not much to tell really. I guess we learned to play under pressure. None of our other gigs have ever had much riding on them, so it was an interesting change of pace gig-wise.

SO HOW DOES IT FEEL BEING ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EMERGENZA FINALS?
We're trying not to think about that too much and just concentrate on the gig at hand. Obviously getting into the finals is the goal and we'd be stoked to make it through, but playing at The Factory Theatre is gonna be sweet either way so we're happy.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR UPCOMING CONCERT AT THE ESPY?
Fond memories and the knowledge that we played our best at an iconic venue. As well as some new fans and a ticket to the finals, obviously.

HOW ARE YOU PLANNING TO PROMOTE FOR YOUR UPCOMING GIG?
We've mainly been promoting through social media and word of mouth. That's pretty much it I think.

WITH OTHER BATTLE OF THE BANDS COMPETITIONS AROUND, WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE EMERGENZA?
I think it was the venues it's held at. Most of the other band comps around offer gigs at places we've been able to play at already, and gotten paid for in the process. Whereas we've never played on stages like The Lair and The Factory Theatre, it just seemed like more fun!