What authors can learn from “bogan funk” band Playlunch

Recently I crossed footpaths with Melbourne band Playlunch and it made me think about how this band offers some great lessons and inspiration for writers.

I was out and about with my latest favourite pet sit doggo and we stopped in at Soulmate, Newtown. Mica is the absolutest cutest, sweetest-natured cavoodle so of course due to her magnetic powers, we started chatting with the two fab ladies sitting next to us on the sunny benches outside the café.

They were from fbi radio, an independent, not for profit radio station championing Australian musicians (yay!) and were there to interview members of Melbourne band, Playlunch, who were up north for the weekend.

I’d never heard of Playlunch before (yes, proverbially late to the party), but as I finished the last of the chai, they came striding across the road. There were a lot of them!

Mica and I were heading off, but on getting to the car, I loaded up their tunes to listen to on the drive.

Ohmygoodness – “bogan funk” it was! And it was so funny and good! Repeat. Repeat, Repeat.

And it got me thinking about what their magic was, what it meant, and how it translates to authors like you and me.

Writers…lean into your quirk

Anyone with an instrument and practise can form a bLand (a band that’s bland)…but how many ‘bogan funk’ bands are there? When it comes to your writing…how do you stand out from all the other accomplished writers out there? What’s your genre and sub-genre, what’s your take or point of view – and especially, what’s your vibe? How does your unique voice cut through? For Playlunch, their songs ooze humour, affection, nostalgia and bring the party vibes. They focus mostly on the day-to-day things that Australians can relate to: school sport carnivals, housing, Healthy Harold…and neighbours who think they own the carparking spot outside their house. They focus on the everyday, but in a tongue-in-cheek, upbeat, make-a-statement way.

Making social media work for you

As it is with authors, it can also be hard for bands to find an audience for their works, especially with so many big international musicians dominating the space and getting all the airtime (aka bookshelves). But, TikTik, Instagram reels and YouTube evens up the playing field…if you’re prepared to play. I think most authors can relate to what frontman Liam Bell said in an interview with Clareese Packer on news.com.au: “Being a good performer and just writing and playing music as well as you can is a hard enough endeavour, without having to add to it to be able to become a marketing expert — that’s such a big ask of artists these days.” But Playlunch answered the ask and has had viral success. It’s led to a connected fan base who turn up to their events in school sport colours and who take their themes and run with it. No, authors, you don’t HAVE to do socials – and I only do them in a limited way that feels comfortable for me – but if it suits your style and you have the time, have a crack!

Cast your net bigger than you

Casting Barry Hall, the AFL’s ex- ‘bad boy’ in their viral music video clip “Keith” was a great move.  Not only did he fit the part awesomely (and fyi swear alert), but he’s also recognisable by all sorts of audiences which futher expands their potential reach and impact. Author Philipa Nefri Clark did something similar to this by casting John Woods (the ex-TV cop) to narrate one of her audiobooks leading to her gaining extra publicity and new audiences.

Indie, traditional or hybrid – there are now plenty of onramps and offramps

Once it was said if you self-publish, you’ll never get a book deal, but that’s been turned on its head in recent years with more and more indie authors being headhunted by publishers. And alternatively, there are many trad authors now buying back some of their old rights. Basically, if you want to write (or play music!) – just do so and forge your own pathways. Don’t let “the deal or no deal” stop you from creating. With regards to Playlunch, they began life as an indie band, forming in 2022, but at the end of 2024 chose to sign with ABC Music to reach an even wider audience. If you keep producing and producing well – you create your own onramps and offramps. You create choices!

Even when you’re doing a cover/writing to formula – bring your magic

Going down the rabbit hole of Playlunch, I came across their Triple J ‘Like a Version’ cover of “It’s Raining Men”. It’s such a well known, catchy song, and hearing it played just slightly differently, sung by blokes with Australian accents and the band’s funk style with trumpet and sax was so, so fun! Think about how to spice things up in your own writing, what will make it familiar for the reader and so they can trust you as a writer (via tropes for fiction, or solving problems in non-fiction) – but also, how can you make it surprisingly different, unexpected and fresh in some way?

Not everyone is your audience

Some people like opera, heavy metal, folk, classical, reggae or jazz. Not everyone is going to like bogan funk, or maybe they might like it just to listen to once and move on. It’s the same with books. Not every reader is your audience and that’s okay. But give the audience who do like your stuff, more of it! Give them a reason to keep coming back. Write in series if you can as it helps you continue to build your audience and gives you a much better ROI on any marketing activity you do.

Get out of your writer’s garret

In my case, I found Playlunch because I was out and about and so were they. Getting outside of your comfort zone and going to events, new places and actually talking to the strangers beside you (hello Sabine Lee Cook and pet-loving camera whiz!) – can lead to so many things including personal, creative and professional growth. So yes, try and get out in the real world. But, if you’re like me, for many years I couldn’t do that because I was a carer (or maybe you have family, career, an illness or disability that makes it hard too), there are still many events and groups you can be a part of online that will expand your world immensely. But if you’re tempted…here’s a list of Australian Writers Festivals to whet your appetite…and for fun…here’s a link to Playlunch’s insta account in case you want to keep up to date or head to one of their gigs!

Word of mouth

Appreciating the wit in the lyrics and the overall sound the band creates, I went on to share info about the band’s songs with five friends (and counting). I know some of those friends went on to share the music with more friends and family. And now I’m spreading the word even further to you via this blog. That’s how people will find out about your books too. Write a great book that adds value, that has your personal brand stamped all over it, and when the right reader/librarian/bookseller/teacher/podcaster/journo finds it, they’ll become a fan and spread the word for you – in ways you can’t probably even imagine. I bet the Playlunch crew didn’t expect to get a write up on a random author’s blog!

Share the joy and appreciation

If you like something you read or hear, don’t keep it to yourself either – let the author or musician know! The more we can do to support Australian creatives the better for all! There’s a spot for all of us…no need to park or block someone elses’ (especially if his name is Keith!) 😉

Anyway, go have some fun, pop on some music, dance around and keep creating! Here if you need me for any author consulting, marketing strategy or just to give you courage to create and share. And if you’re thinking of going the indie author route or just want to understand more about publishing, grab a copy of Look-It’s Your Book! from your library, favourite bookseller or direct from me.

Bestest, Anna