Adelaide four-piece The Tullamarines turn insecurity, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome into catharsis on “Lying,” a raw yet radiant pop/rock anthem that sets the tone for their ‘Safety Blanket’ EP. In conversation with Atwood Magazine, the band open up about the song’s brutally honest lyrics, their evolving sound, and finding strength in vulnerability.
Stream: “Lying” – The Tullamarines
“If I say I love myself, I’m lying.”
It’s one of those lines that grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go – brutally honest, deeply relatable, and instantly unforgettable. Adelaide’s The Tullamarines waste no time cutting to the core on “Lying,” the second single off their brand new Safety Blanket EP. It’s an electrifying pop/rock explosion of doubt and defiance – a vibrant, high-octane anthem that turns insecurity, imposter syndrome, and self-loathing into something cathartic, anthemic, and downright addictive.
I’ve never been sure about this
It’s deep down I can see
how you missed it
But I just endure and that’s alright
I’m out of it half the time
Tried the best to fix my mind
And I’ve been thinking lately
you should pull me in
If I say I love myself I’m lying
But I still hope that I get points for trying baby
If I say I love myself I’m lying
But I still hope that I get points for trying baby
Released in early June, “Lying” is one of the catchiest songs we’ve heard this side of 2012 – a rush jangly guitars, buoyant beats, and magnetic hooks that invite you to scream-sing along by the second chorus. It’s nostalgic and fresh at once – a vibrant shot of noughties pop/rock energy supercharged for the 2020s, somewhere between Hot Chelle Rae and 5SOS, with just the right balance of charm and churn. But underneath that infectious exterior, “Lying” is achingly honest – a vulnerable, gut-punch confessional about showing up for yourself even when it’s hard.
“‘Lying’ is about insecurity, imposter syndrome, self-loathing, and the effort to do better,” the Australian band – comprised of Josh Thomas, Lucinda Machin, Angus Purvis, and Benny Waltho – tells Atwood Magazine over email. “That feeling of people leaving before we perform is a running joke, but it comes from real doubt. We struggle with confidence in our music, image – everything. So we said exactly how we felt, but wrapped it in sunny, ‘90s pop-inspired sounds. It’s sad-happy. Sometimes it’s easier to pretend you’re okay than to be vulnerable. We hope this song helps people feel seen and encourages real conversations.”
I don’t wanna tell someone in case I come undone
But I’ve been thinking lately how much eat
I don’t think I’m anyone think year nine got me ’cause
I’m still believing all the things they said to me
That duality pulses through every line: “If I say I love myself, I’m lying / but I still hope that I get points for trying,” they sing loud and proud in the song’s unforgettable refrain. “It means exactly what it says,” the band reflects, “in that I hope I can forgive myself for being harsh on my character or my body when I’m not feeling good.” The words are raw and disarming, yet delivered with so much drive and verve that it feels empowering – like owning your pain is the first step toward healing. And that’s what makes this song so special: The Tullamarines don’t wallow in their emotions – they channel them into an inspiring rallying cry; a radiant, rousing anthem.
If I say I love myself I’m lying
But I still hope that I get points for trying baby
‘Cause I’ve never been sure about this
It’s deep down I can see how you missed it
But I just endure and that’s me trying baby
If I say I love myself I’m lying
But I still hope that I get points for trying baby
If I say I love myself and I’ve tried for something else
If I say I love myself I’m lying
That candid spirit is the beating heart of Safety Blanket, a record they describe as sounding refreshingly different from the music that came before it – and one that’s opened up new creative possibilities for the Adelaide-based four-piece. “We really wanted to push the boat out with ‘Lying,’” they explain. “The demo felt really different to our usual style, and we had a lot of fun with the syncopation and interweaving parts. It felt like the perfect song to push that ‘sad-happy’ vibe a little further, definitely taking inspiration from Paramore’s After Laughter.”
“Being able to take that risk and have everyone receive it so well has been really great,” they add. “It’s given us confidence to keep pushing that sound further.”
And while their music is evolving, the band’s purpose remains steady: “We’re just four normal people trying to be as honest as possible and hoping it connects with other people’s experiences too,” they say. “If they can relate to it, just know that we’re feeling it too – and it’s okay.”
With Safety Blanket shaping up to be a powerful portrait of 20-something growing pains, “Lying” captures The Tullamarines’ spirit in full: Earnest, explosive, self-aware, and unapologetically alive.
Atwood Magazine sat down with The Tullamarines to dig deeper into “Lying,” imposter syndrome, and the power of writing sad-happy songs. Read our chat below, and stay tuned for more as the band deliver a full slate of stunning songwriting on their Safety Blanket EP, out now!
‘Cause I’ve never been sure about this
It’s deep down I can see how you missed it
But I just endure and that’s alright
I’m out of it half the time
Tried the best to fix my mind
And I’ve been thinking lately you should pull me in
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:: stream/purchase Lying here ::
:: stream/purchase Safety Blanket here ::
:: connect with The Tullamarines here ::
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Stream: “Lying” – The Tullamarines
A CONVERSATION WITH THE TULLAMARINES
Atwood Magazine: The Tullamarines, what's the story behind your song “Lying”?
The Tullamarines: We started writing “Lying” pretty much at the same time we were finishing recording “Running on Empty.” The idea stemmed from a different song that we were calling “Points for Trying,” and I suppose I was trying to make it into a two-part thing, but it ended up being completely different.
“If I say I love myself, I'm lying,” you sing in the chorus. “But I still love that I get points for trying.” This song's lyrics cut especially deep. What is “Lying” about, for you, and what do you take away from the refrain?
The Tullamarines: I still hope that I get points for trying!
I think something I try to do when writing lyrics is just be really honest and straight to the point. It means exactly what it says, in that I hope I can forgive myself for being harsh on my character or my body when I’m not feeling good.
You've said that this track is about “insecurity, imposter syndrome, self-loathing, and the effort to do better.” Where do those feelings stem for you, and did writing this song help?
The Tullamarines: Honestly, it’s all about those moments when you just don’t feel good enough. A lot of us struggle with different mental health issues and writing it gave us a bit of relief, almost like finally saying things out loud to the world and each other that we’ve kept hidden for a little bit too long.
I love me a good sad-happy song, and you're right, this is totally that. What are some of your all favourite sad-happy songs, personally?
The Tullamarines: “Sad Happy” by Circa Waves and “Rose Coloured Boy” by Paramore.
What do you hope listeners take away from “Lying,” and what have you taken away from creating it and now putting it out?
The Tullamarines: I suppose sonically it’s quite different from stuff we’ve done before and being able to take that risk and have everyone receive it so well has been really great, and in doing that I think it’s given us confidence to keep pushing that sound further.
For those who are just discovering you today through this writeup, what do you want them to know about you and your music?
The Tullamarines: That we’re just four normal people trying to be as honest as possible and hoping it connects with other people’s experiences too. I hope people can find some comfort in the songs. If they can relate to it, just know that we’re feeling it too and it’s okay.
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:: stream/purchase Lying here ::
:: stream/purchase Safety Blanket here ::
:: connect with The Tullamarines here ::
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Stream: “Lying” – The Tullamarines
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© Jack Fenby
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