Angus Stone wants to help you embrace your inner spirit animal.
The Dope Lemon frontman’s spirit animal manifested in the form of a “Golden Wolf,” earning the title of his fifth album, released May 2. It also features a song of the same name, which blends indie-rock with soulful psychedelic melodies. In the music video, a character with an animated golden wolf design over its face guides a character through an introspective journey of life and death.
“Conceptually, that song was based on our mortality and finality, what happens when you reach the end of this life, and what that means to you,” Stone said during a recent phone interview. “It is playing with the concept of the other side, who will take you to the next life, what you’ll leave behind, what you take with you. I played with the idea that it would be the golden wolf that would pull me through the other side as my spirit animal. When it came to titling the album, that song felt the most personal because it had that overarching energy about it.”
Dope Lemon fans will have a chance to put on the golden wolf mask and other designs, such as a cat, to join the group on stage for their shows at The Novo in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 24, and at The Observatory North Park on Sunday, May 25.
“We go out into the crowd, and we pick a crew that looks like they’re having a fun night. We get them to jump on stage with these big, bubble mascot heads,” he said. “We like to allow people to join in on the fun. In a way, they become part of this universe where you can become anyone you want when you listen to the music. You can take that identity and play with it and not have to worry too much about people or onlookers, while dancing at your [most] free.”
Ahead of the group’s Southern California shows, Stone spoke about how film influences the band’s music, meeting Dua Lipa for the first time and more. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: How did the theme of “Golden Wolf” impact the album’s visuals?
Stone: I’m really inspired by film. I put myself in that role of protagonist, where the music leads me into a story. I sometimes picture the song itself, and sometimes it’ll hold a set of characters inside of it. The golden wolf was there waiting for me this time.
Q: Your music videos also have an intentional element of cinematography. Where does that come from?
Stone: These days, I’m more inspired by film. When I was a kid, I listened to all the genres of music, and that was the main focus. But now, when I watch films from the Coen Brothers, David Lynch or Wes Anderson, that’s what inspires me to want to step into that visual representation of telling a story. I can really dive into these fun little stories when it comes to the music videos, where you have three and a half to four minutes to tell a story. We try to have fun with it.
Q: In your music videos, you are dressed pretty sharp. How do you put your fashion together?
Stone: I get my suits tailored. I have some amazing seamstresses and tailors. When I go on tour, my favorite thing is to have the tour manager tell me the key vintage stores in the different cities. I love recycling fashion and making the new world with the old world. That’s my style.
Q: Australian artists are increasing their presence on the global stage of music with lots of different kinds of music coming out of the country from bands like Skegss, Amyl and the Sniffers, Speed, King Gizzard, Tame Impala, and so many others. How are you feeling about Australia’s music scene at home and its presence abroad?
Stone: It’s just the tip of the iceberg. What’s beautiful about Australia is that the art scene is really strong. You’ve got these smaller communities putting on festivals, but deep down Australians don’t want to demand too much attention, but there’s something magnetic about that in itself. When artists put their heads down and work really hard, they create this orbit of interest. That’s what makes Australia unique. When you love what you do, it shows and it travels. That’s why the world is possibly seeing Australian artists pop up more. We’re lucky in that we have a cool culture where everyone supports each other. It’s only getting better, and we have all these beautiful arts coming out.
Q: A few years ago, you were invited as a surprise guest at a Dua Lipa performance in Australia. How was that, and how did it come together?
Stone: It was really special. I was in Paris at the end of a press tour, and I got a call from Dua’s people. They basically said jump on a flight and that Dua wanted me on stage. So I got off the airplane and walked straight to the stadium. She’s such a beautiful human being, a real powerhouse and hard worker. She has such a beautiful family around her that supports her, from her dad, dancers and management. It was just such an incredible experience to be hanging out with them and with someone that heavy in the game.
Q: Had you hung out and met her before?
Stone: No, that was my first time, but it was the same thing that happened with Post Malone. Our band was in Montreal at the end of a tour, and we were texting, and he said to head over to Houston because he was playing a show. He invited me to have some beers and chat. So we jumped on a plane, flew in and played some beer pong and talked about the tour in Australia. Then, when he came to Australia, we jumped on and toured together. It’s cool building relationships with really creative and interesting people.
Q: What’s it like to have these kinds of conversations and collaborative efforts with other musicians and artists?
Stone: You’re able to talk on subjects that you can’t necessarily always share with those outside of what it is that we do. It’s like in all trades, and when you meet someone who is in your trade, it’s really exciting and invigorating to share your experiences. It’s been such a wild ride, and it’s such a cool thing to have a beer with artists who are such powerhouses.
Q: The beer pong with Post Malone sounds like exactly something he would do. Very down to Earth.
Stone: He’s a gentleman, kind-hearted, and a hard worker. For all these artists, it takes a strong will, endurance, resilience, intuition and inertia to be present as well. When someone achieves that, and they do it with class, it’s a really beautiful thing.
Q: What’s next for Dope Lemon?
Stone: You know, one step at a time.
Dope Lemon
Where: The Novo, 800 W Olympic Blvd., a335, Los Angeles.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 24.
Tickets: $41-$91 at axs.com.
Also: 8 p.m. Sunday, May 25 at The Observatory North Park, 2891 University Ave., San Diego. Tickets start at $76 at Livenation.com.
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