For Brisbane’s Atlas and the Attic, 2025 is the year they fully embraced a bold, new sound, kick-starting it in the studio with their upcoming third EP, Polyester City. The title itself suggests a world of constructed beauty and underlying friction—a perfect metaphor for a band pulling from the melodic aggression of 2000s emo punk to forge a heavier, more refined sound. This isn’t a complete reinvention, but rather a natural and decisive step forward that promises to deliver a blend of joy, angst, and everything in between.
The band’s story begins not with a band at all, but with a solo project. As bassist Elliot recalls, it was a collective of musicians joining vocalist and guitarist Sam Leslie for a few shows, but it soon became clear that the project was "more fun" with everyone on board. This organic chemistry, forged from a history of playing together in high school bands, has become the foundation of their creativity. Elliot's own musical journey began early, homeschooled by his dad with a soundtrack of everything from Queen to Handel's Messiah. However, it was a random, momentous discovery that truly sparked his obsession: "The first time I really got to explore music for myself was picking up an Emery album with birthday money without really knowing what I would be listening to. I’ve found them incredibly inspiring ever since."
As Elliot explains, their sound has undergone a significant evolution, largely influenced by the changing lineup and, most recently, their decision to embrace a three-piece format. "Being a three piece has really led itself to exploring heavy riffs and a more punk inspired musical style," he says. This has allowed them to more freely pull from their formative influences like Emery and Underoath, bands that made Elliot so happy "that music exists." This natural progression is a testament to the trust and intimacy within the band. As Elliot puts it, after creating music for so long with the same two guys, he couldn’t approach that level of open experimentation with anyone else at the moment.
The heart of Atlas and the Attic lies in their relentless dedication to their craft. While Sam usually brings the initial song ideas to the table, the band then performs what Elliot calls "a lot of surgery from there to get to the final product." This process of dissection and reconstruction—where chords, riffs, and even genres can be changed—shows a commitment to their art that is both meticulous and fearless. This same ethos drives their independent, DIY approach to recording. By setting up a home studio, they can take on projects at their own pace, entirely removing the "pressuring relationship between time and money" that so many artists face in commercial studios. As Sam candidly notes, the best advice they've been given is simply to "have fun." He believes that if you're not enjoying it, then what's the point, and that joy is a catalyst for creating great music.
Atlas and the Attic:
The Joy, Angst, and Aggression of a "Polyester City"
We recently sat down with Atlas and the Attic, a band that is confidently embracing a heavier sound and a bold new direction. The Brisbane-based emo punk outfit is gearing up to release their new EP, Polyester City, and the conversation gave us a look into the core of their music: from their organic, friendship-based origins to their passion for the local scene. It’s clear this is a band driven by their art, their community, and the sheer joy of the creative process.
For Atlas and the Attic, the payoff for all that work is found in the live show. The band fondly remembers playing the Byron Bay Brewery years ago, where they were paid in money and beer—a memory so good it’s been "a bit romanticised." On the flip side, they’ve also experienced the universal rite of passage for every band: playing to an empty room and being told by the venue manager that they could stop a few songs in. Yet, even with the setbacks, their love for the stage is clear. Elliot’s favourite song to perform live is "Fire," which has grown and changed with them since their early days. He also noted that, being on bass, it’s pretty easy for him to just do his own thing on stage, though he will do the iconic "bass face from School of Rock" if his friend Nick is in the crowd.
Looking ahead, Atlas and the Attic are brimming with confidence and anticipation. Their message to fans is direct: "The music we are currently gearing up to release is unlike anything we've released prior, so get yourself pumped for some high energy music and live shows." The forthcoming Polyester City EP is set to arrive in early 2026, with another single dropping before then. They will also be hitting the stage in support of their new music with a headline show at the Junk Bar in Brisbane on October 3, with Great Job! and Red Velvet Rascal supporting. They also hinted at a secret Sydney show to support friends, proving that while their sound has matured, their commitment to the community remains unchanged. This dedication to the local scene is paramount to them. As Sam noted, he wishes more of the general population was aware of just how thriving and vast the local music scene is in every city, noting that in Fortitude Valley alone, there are around 10 venues hosting incredible artists across every genre imaginable every weekend.
In a scene that thrives on authenticity, Atlas and the Attic have found a new voice. They have moved from a casual backing band to a confident, focused group, with a heavier sound and a clear sense of purpose. As they prepare to release their new music into the world, it's clear that this band is ready to make some noise.
