A Quick Chat with The Maggie Pills

Congratulations on your new single ‘Velobell’! Can you tell us a bit about the influences behind the track and how it came together?

Thank you! The influences behind it are largely in line with what has been shaping our sound since the beginning—alternative music, grunge, and the energy and drive of punk. That kind of raw, emotional vibe has always spoken to us.
For songwriting, Velobell is inspired by the Pixies, particularly their early 1990s material. But with this song—and the new record—we’ve been branching out a bit. We’re thinking more about the full sensory experience, not just the sound.
So it’s not just music—it’s also about visuals, mood, and aesthetics. We’ve been drawing inspiration from movies, art, books, and even the essence of different subcultures, such as Beat poetry, Gothic, and post-punk. We want to create something that truly takes people on a journey, not just sonically but emotionally as well.

Have you gone about writing ‘Velobell’ any differently than you have previous tracks? Your last single ‘Gold’ came out about a year ago, do you feel like there has been a progression since then?

Yes, there’s definitely been a progression in our writing since Gold, and that shift actually started early on—even when compared to our debut album, Hope is a Risk.
With Velobell and especially this new record, we had a much clearer idea of what we wanted from the beginning. We really knew the direction we were heading in.
One area we focused on deeply was the vocals—not just in terms of melody, but in how they feel. It’s not just singing; it’s performative. There’s an element of dramatization, almost like a play.
Overall, we’ve just gotten more comfortable with the process. The sound is cleaner now, but we feel like it hits even harder—more direct, more powerful.

What are your plans to celebrate its release?

We’re super excited to celebrate the release at our single launch in Melbourne on Friday, June 13, at The Curtin in Carlton! We’ve got some amazing local bands we love joining us—Screensaver, Zombeaches, and Ding Ding Ding (formerly Zig Zag). We’ve played with all of them before, and it’s always a blast. Additionally, we’ll have brand-new Velobell-themed t-shirts available at the show!
The single dropped with a brand new video, directed by Mario (our drummer and producer) and shot by our good mate Ryan Cara. It was a real team effort, and we’re super proud of how it turned out.

What has been your most notable live show to date?

Our most memorable show so far has been the launch of our debut album, Hope is a Risk, at the Bergy Bandroom. It was huge for us—not just the show itself, but what it meant after all the hard work we put in to get there. It felt like the end of one chapter and the start of something bigger, helping us really believe in ourselves as a band and what we’re doing. It definitely set the stage for everything that’s come after for The Maggie Pills.
As for bigger shows, we’re stoked to have supported The Mark of Cain last year and Shihad in early 2025!

Can you tell us about the band regarding the roles and how you all first met?

The Maggie Pills started in 2019, founded by Delfi Sorondo (singer and lyricist) and Mario Perez (drummer and producer) shortly after they moved from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Melbourne. They first met while playing in the Buenos Aires underground music scene, each with their own band. After a year, they decided to leave it all behind and start fresh, forming the band they’d always wanted.
After connecting with three other members on Bandmix, The Maggie Pills came to life and began gigging in late 2019. The lineup shifted a bit at first until the current dream team came together.
Nick Borg (guitar) joined in early 2022 and quickly became an essential part of our sound with his gritty, sharp style. He and Mario had crossed paths through Jess, our former guitarist, jamming together in a side project.
In 2022, we felt it was time to level up, so we brought in Chloe Harrison (synths and backing vocals). Chloe was recommended to us by Brad, our go-to tech engineer and all-around legend—and we’re so glad he pointed us in her direction!
We met Sarah Blaby (guitar) in July 2022 when we played a gig with her band, Plaster of Paris. We were instantly blown away by her insane guitar skills and vibe. A year later, when we were looking for a new guitarist, she was the first person we thought of—and luckily, she said yes!
Finally, Margy (bass and charisma) joined in September 2024. We’d met her in early 2022 when we shared a gig with Tommy Dynamite and the Explosions, where she was playing bass. Over the years, we also played alongside her other band, Plovers. When our former bassist Saskia had to relocate, we knew Margy was the perfect fit—she jumped right in and quickly started rocking hard with us.

What can fans expect next from The Maggie Pills?

Velobell is just the first taste of our upcoming sophomore album, Hearts Enduring Lingering Loss (or H.E.L.L), which is dropping this spring via Cheersquad Records. We’ll be releasing a couple more singles leading up to the album, along with fresh new music videos and launch shows with killer lineups.
After the album drops, we’re hitting the road for some interstate shows, and we’re already working on plans for overseas tours in 2026. It’s gonna be a wild ride!