This weekend, The Potbellez will find out exactly what Australia thinks of them when the ARIAs hit. It’ll will hopefully be a defining moment in the life: at current they’ve been nominated for three ARIAs, including Breakthrough Artist Single, Highest Selling Single and Best Dance Album (ironic considering their self-titled debut album isn’t out until November 1 – yeah, it’s that good). There is the possibility they might win, even if it’s only one out of the three (OUTinPerth’s money is on Best Album – you’ll love it).

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The weekend after the ARIAs The Potbellez will be in Perth, appearing live in front of an expected 6000 people on Pride night when The Court Hotel throw one of the biggest street parties this city has ever seen. It ain’t quite Mardi Gras, but it’s certainly a moment that should prove memorable for many Perth party goers. Dave Goode and Ilan Kidrono, producer and vocalist for The Potbellez, took a moment to chat to OUTinPerth about the ARIAs, the upcoming album and how they translate the live vibe on to a record.

How confident are you guys about winning an ARIA or two?

ILAN: We don’t think we’re going to win any of them – we’re the underdog in all of them. If you ask me we don’t have an album out there yet so we don’t have a big reputation of who we are. I can already tell you that I don’t think we’re the highest selling single. And breakthrough artist? Gabrielle.. she’s like 17 or something

DAVE: And she got number 1 for 12 weeks or something…

I: But just to be nominated and having a lot of people wanting to hear what we’re made of – it’s a blessing. We go in there with the attitude of having a good party.

What would you say is one of the standout tracks on your upcoming debut album?

I: The final track we worked on, a track called Everything. The track is a real comment on the state of the Earth and the state of finance and The Crash. It touches on greed but it also touches on our own human error in life and picking yourself up. And it has the potential to be a big dance hit too.

D: Our new single Trouble Trouble is really awesome too. Well worth the listen.

How do you translate the vibe of playing to a live audience on to a studio album?

D: The vibe and the power we get off the dance floor in a live sense really empowers us to put on the best show possible and to really get the vibe peaking. We’ve always tried in our songs to have this underlining element of powering along on the dance floor. So a lot of the album is made up of that fundamental aspect.

I: I think an interesting part of the question is the lyrical content of the songs. Generally with three quarters of the songs on the album it’s not about getting down and dirty on the floor. It’s about self-discovery, it’s about an emotional journey and fixing things. We try to get pertinent ideas out through our music but it’s got to make your booty shake.

What can audiences expect from your upcoming Perth show?

I: We’re gonna be like a bunch of two year olds with a jar of Nutella!

The Potbellez will appear live at The Court Hotel on Saturday October 25. Their debut self-titled album is out November 1.