If there's one song that had carried us into a new year, it's been Dope Lemon's meditative, thoughtful and hopeful Golden Wolf. The new single, from the project of acclaimed Australian musician, Angus Stone, was written and inspired by Stone's musings on a "next life... What we'll take with us, and what and who will lead us there?" he says. The song, released toward the end of last year marks a new chapter for Dope Lemon. We spoke to the artist about this new era and his advice for rising musicians:

Last time we spoke to you was in 2021 and you’ve released so much great music since then. How do you think the Dope Lemon project has evolved over the last year, both personally and sonically - especially since Kimosabè?

I think there’s an evolution to any trade you work in. With each project, it feels like I’m going deeper every time I make a record. What I’ve learned from past experiences—what to do, what not to do. It’s about being progressive with how I feel spiritually and what’s going on in my world at the time of writing and creating.I guess it all folds into one.From my travels over the past few years around the world, my adventures all add up to a story, which becomes a record—through my experiences and hard work.

Tell us about creating Golden Wolf. Where were you? What was the catalyst for this song?

Golden Wolf for me is about the place I go to when I think about the next life. What will lead me there, who will lead me there, and what I’ll take with me. In this song, the mascot in the creative process was the Golden Wolf reaching out and pulling me—pulling us—into the next life.

We love the production on the song. Was there anything new that you did this time round or anything you specifically love about the production on this song?

I’ve built a new studio that feels inspiring to be in. I think the way I work is always evolving, but fundamentally, I just love seeing where a song wants to go. Being in the space I designed specifically to feel at home and alive all at once, makes me want to be there and create.I literally don’t leave the studio when I come off tour. It’s such a magnetic world. It’s an old ’70s home that looks over the cane fields, full of history and memories of times past. It’s called Sugarcane Mountain Studios.

Best place to listen to Golden Wolf?

I’d say the car. That’s where I listen to most music. I live in a pretty rural and isolated part of the world, so no Uber Eats or anything like that. To go anywhere or get anything, you have to drive—which is a great way to listen to music.Looking over the mountain range and the sunsets here is pretty spectacular too, so I also love listening to my favourite songs in those moments.

There is a ‘meditative essence’ in Golden Wolf. Do you meditate? What are the Dope Lemon mindful grounding practices?

I don’t meditate in the traditional sense of the word. Songwriting, I imagine, is quite similar to meditating in the way you lose yourself in the act of creating. You get taken down a tangent, and you’re in this other world, going deeper and deeper into the story and the creative process.

How has the making of this new Dope Lemon body of work fulfilled you?

To be honest, it’s the main way I spend my time—writing songs and making music. It’s incredibly satisfying.

Are there any direct influences for the new project? Was anything or anyone directly inspiring you? Books, places, music, films etc…

Travelling the world and sharing the music is always really inspiring. Each town, city, country, dive bar, bus station—we always find an interesting character that sparks a new light and love for what it means to be human. All these experiences add, even in the smallest way, to what it takes to make a song.

It’s a great time for Australian music. Have you been listening to anything recently that has excited you?

I’ve been loving Munan. He’s a Korean Australian songwriter/ producer based in Seoul, South Korea. Delves into the low fi magic of indie music. Great artist.

You have created incredible music throughout your career so far that has been extremely influential. We speak to a lot of young, rising artists at 10 - what’s some advice you would give to artists who are just starting to find their feet?

It’s hard to give advice to starting-out artists because the landscape of music is changing so quickly. I mean, the best advice I ever got is that you’re only going to be as happy as you are right now, so try and be in the moment you’re in. Enjoy the struggle when you can. Enjoy the crappy open mic nights, playing over people talking, the late-night load-outs. You don’t want to look back thinking about ‘the good ol’ days.’ When you get to wherever you’re going, you just want to enjoy that step, because it’s the one you’re taking.

What’s next?

More shows, more writing, more travel, more love, more life.

Listen to Golden Wolf HERE.

@dopelemonmusic