Episode 21: Jake Bicchieri & Neve Tullberg – Echo Social Club

Echo Social Club. Image: Darcy Conlan

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I’m going to be completely transparent right from the start and tell you that I am entirely biassed when it comes to today’s artist. This week, I am talking about Echo Social Club, a Melbourne rock duo who I have been completely enraptured by since I first saw them live in early 2023.

Featuring former Pseudo Mind Hive and The Hum Drums member Jake Bicchieri on guitar and vocals, and former Heavy Amber member Neve Tullberg on drums and occasional vocals, the pair are a ferocious mix of blistering rock that have left me speechless on numerous occasions.

I first met Jake when he was in Pseudo, and full transparency, he contacted me when Echo Social Club first came together, telling me about his new band. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but when I saw them play their second show last year, their live show blew me to the back of the wall. Since then, I have made it my mission to catch them live as often as I can, while telling everyone in earshot about how good they are.

On paper, they’re an unassuming duo, but when they hit the live stage, they’ve got more energy than a service station amphetamine, and they’re thrice as potent. Honestly, I can’t even begin to tell you how immense their live show is. Put it this way, The White Stripes’ Jack White is playing Melbourne this December, and if Echo Social Club were the opener, Jack himself would complain about the order of bands. 

But along the way, they found time from their busy live schedule to hit the studio with Michael Badger and record an amazing EP. Titled White Heat – White Noise, it’s a five-track collection of songs that have been refined over the past couple of years through their live sets. 

To celebrate, the pair are marking its release with not only a hometown launch show, but a run of shows throughout Adelaide, Sydney, Geelong, and an additional hometown show to cap it off. I know I’m supposed to remain somewhat impartial, but I truly think you should go ensure you see them at these shows.

As you might assume, Jake and Neve were my guests this week for the podcast. Sadly, we did have some customary audio issues, but they’re completely my fault, namely because Jake actually lent me a mic a few months ago, and I forgot to give it back to him, meaning the audio from their end has some faults.

Regardless, I strongly urge you to check out Echo Social Club’s, White Heat – White Noise and once you’re done giving that a spin, buy some tickets to their tour, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

Jake Bicchieri & Neve Tullberg's Trusty Chords

Jake’s One Influential Artist

1. Jack White

Neve’s One Influential Artist

1. Queens Of The Stone Age

Jake’s Three Impactful Albums

1. Guns N' Roses – Appetite For Destruction (1987)

2. Mika – Life In Cartoon Motion (2007)

3. Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel & Casio (2018)

Neve’s Three Impactful Albums

1. Jeff Buckley – Grace (1994)

2. Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti (1975)

3. Warpaint – Heads Up (2016)

Jake’s Five Trusty Songs

1. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – 'O Children' (2004)

2. Kings Of Leon – 'Cold Desert' (2008)

3. Bob Dylan – 'Like A Rolling Stone' (1965)

4. Jeff Buckley – 'So Real' (1994)

5. The Strokes – 'Ode To The Mets' (2020)

Neve’s Five Trusty Songs

1. Elton John – 'Bennie And The Jets' (1973)

2. The Kills – 'Satellite' (2011)

3. Queens Of The Stone Age – 'I Appear Missing' (2013)

4. Kiss – 'Sure Know Something' (1979)

5. Rod Stewart – 'Maggie May' (1971)