- The Maggie Pills

“Singing about what you believe in, making music that feels vital to you, is of paramount importance to authentic punks like The Maggie Pills, whether it’s happening in Mexico City or Melbourne”
– Rolling Stone

“There is literally nothing on the face of the earth like The Maggie Pills… a testament to the idea that neither the sprawl of oceans nor the solitude of lockdowns aren’t enough to keep the likeminded apart”
– Blunt

“The Maggie Pills are a force to be reckoned with”
– Ash McGregor, triple j

Led by Argentinian front woman Delfi Sorondo and Venezuelan drummer Mario Perez, The Maggie Pills are a fierce Melbourne-based six-piece outfit who embody the spirit of the indie/alternative movement and the urgency of punk, with an intense and raw live performance.

Founded in late 2019, the ferocious act reimagines punk through an emotionally visceral lens, jam-packed with impish latin percussions, razor-sharp guitars, fuzzy bass lines, unhinged synths and gestural vocals that feel playful, pop and iconic. The result is an impressive self-produced act that masters the intersections between intuitive and intentional, grunge and pop, gothic and colourful.

The project began a month after Delfi and Mario came to Australia. The band has always come first – before expectations, prescriptions, routine.

Their lyrics are stories, speaking to universal truths we all connect to. These truths are enriched by and spoken from diverse experiences and cultural backgrounds, they talk about discrimination, sexism, destruction of land and the displacement of the rightful owners while channelling themes of kindness, friendship, emotional struggles and grief and loss. Their live shows are magnetic, intense and their DIY ethos is solid.

The Maggie Pills catalogue includes two EPs, several single collabs and a massive debut double album titled “Hope is Risk”. Self-produced by Perez, the album was nominated by Music Victoria for ‘Best Heavy Work’ as part of the Music Victoria Awards 2023 and by the Australian Music Prize as one of the best Australian albums released in 2023. ‘Hope Is A Risk’ seeks a sound outside of indie-rock, providing an atmospheric, wet and kaleidoscopic soundwall of cosmic proportions as an overall base for the LP. Mastered by legendary sound engineer Joe Carra (Amyl & The Sniffers, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Courtney Barnett) “Hope is a Risk” is a unique addition to Australia’s indie-rock catalogue.

In 2024 The Maggie Pills started working on their sophomore album expected to be released in 2025 with a couple of singles to be out later this year.

Hope Is A Risk – Out Now

Achievements

Our debut album ‘ Hope Is A Risk’ was nominated by Music Victoria for ‘Best Heavy Work’ as part of the Music Victoria Awards 2023 and by the Australian Music Prize as one of the best Australian albums released in 2023.

‘Hope is a Risk’ video clip was premiered by Triple J Unearthed, followed by Triple J, Rage and MTV. All three single’s video clips were also added to Rage and Mtv rotation playlists.

Our second single ‘The Freedom Club’ was featured in ‘Song You Need To Know’ by Rolling Stone.

The Maggie Pills got featured in “The Punk Fire Burns Bright in Australia” by Blunt Magazine.

Our singles were added on rotation to Triple J, Double J Eleven, Triple RRR, PBS, 4ZZZ, 2SER (Sydney), FBi (Sydney), 2XX (Canberra), RTRFM (Perth), Bay FM (Geelong), plus many community radios across Australia.

‘Hope Is A Risk’ album kicked off a US campaign at #18 Most Added in Week 1, saw a peak at debut at #141 on the NACC Top 200 in Week 3, and then in Week 4, moved to #158. In terms of airplay, we tracked 133 total spins including key spins from KSYM in San Antonio, TX. The record was added to 42 stations libraries, and saw airplay at 21 of those stations.

Our Spotify audience has grown by 900% since the release of our first single on March 17.

Currently, we are featured in 182 Spotify playlists, including Triple J Unearthed Best New Music, Triple J’s Short Fast and Loud, Home and Hosed, Breakfast, Unearthed, Double J Eleven. Also on WAVR.AI / Charts / Weekly Discovery; New Music on FBi Radio; The Heavy Hit List – Kill your Stereo, and more.

‘Hope Is A Risk’ was featured as album of the week on 2SER 107.3 in Sydney from July 24th.

‘Hope Is A Risk’ Album was also featured in Bandcamp during July 2023.

From early 2022 we’ve played +80 shows including:

Supported The Black Lips (US) at The Esplanade Hotel (Mar 2023)

Supported Cable Ties on their album launch at Max Watts (Aug 2023)

Sold out Album launch at The Bergy Bandroom (250 ppl capacity) (Jun 2023)

Sold out ‘The Freedom Club’ single launch at The Old Bar (May 2023)

Sold out debut residency at Nighthawks (March 2023)

Sold out Lickety Split Launch at The Last Chance Rockroll Bar (May 2023)

Supported ‘X’ twice at Gershwin Room and The Tote on their 40th anniversary (Jun and Sept 2022)

Supported Glitoris on three of their COME AND SAY THAT TO OUR FACES! Tour in Melbourne, Mornington and Geelong (Aug 2023)

Played ‘River Rocks’ Festival with C.O.F.F.I.N., Cable Ties, The Meanies among others (Nov 2023)

Flippin’ the Bird festival Frankston (Sold out)

Brunswick Music Festival – Bergy Bandroom (March 2023)

Played ‘Negative Waves’ Festival with Cosmic Psychos, BORED!, Private Function, Stiff Richards, among others (Jun 2022)

‘Hope Is A Risk’ Australian album launch tour including Melbourne, Frankston, Geelong, Beechworth with upcoming shows in Sydney, Wollongong and Adelaide

Our upcoming shows this year include:

Supporting The Marc of Cain on their their 1995 magnum-opus Ill At Ease live show at The Croxton Bandroom (Jan 19th 2024).

Playing Drive Live at PBS (Feb 22nd, 2024).

Playing Brunswick Music Festival at Stay gold (Sydney Rd street party).

The Bergy Bandroom anniversary (March 2024).

Playing ‘River Rocks’ Festival (TBA)

Upcoming shows