W: Rachel June

In the landscape of modern indie rock, there is a certain magic that only comes from a decade of shared history. For The Rions, that magic isn’t just a by-product of their music—it’s the very foundation of it. Comprised of Noah Blockley (vocals/bass), Harley Wilson (guitar/keys), Asher McLean (guitar), and Tom Partington (drums), this Australian quartet is moving from talent-quest jokes to international stages.

We sat down with Harley Wilson to talk about their origins, their creative evolution, and the brotherhood that keeps the gears turning.

A Name Nine Years in the Making

Every band has an origin story, but few are as endearing as The Rions'. The name stems from a childhood quirk: as an infant, Harley couldn't quite master the letter "L."

"My older brother thought this was funny enough to make me say 'Lions' anytime the old family video camera was out," Harley laughs. Years later, at age 11, the group found themselves backstage at a school talent quest. When the stage manager asked for a name, they offered "The Rions" as a half-joke. "Nine years later, and apparently we weren’t joking."

"Human, Honest, and Earnest"

Trying to pin The Rions down to a single genre is a losing game. Harley describes their sound as a "spectrum" that ranges from alternative rock and indie to country-esque ballads. While their influences are vast—spanning R&B, Disco, Jazz, and Americana—their recent work has found a specific emotional frequency.

"As of recently, I’d describe our music as human, honest, and earnest," Harley says. While he used to look to movies for inspiration, he now finds substance in the "shortcomings, triumphs, and feelings" of his own life.

"I saw old footage of The Beatles... Something about their camaraderie reminded me of our own. It gave me hope that four idiot friends can go as far as they did."

The Strength of Brotherhood

When asked about the band's greatest strength, Harley doesn't point to a specific riff or a vocal range. Instead, he points to the people standing next to him.

"It’s corny, I know, but definitely our friendship," he admits. "We know each other like brothers, and when it really comes down to it, that’s what makes all the difficult moments easier."

This chemistry is visible in their pre-show ritual: while Noah struts around performing vocal warm-ups, the rest of the crew hangs out until the final moment when they join hands for a huddle to get pumped for the stage.

Looking Ahead: Everything Every Single Day

The future is looking busy for the four friends. With their debut album, Everything Every Single Day, on the horizon, the band is preparing to take their "human and honest" sound global.

Fans can expect a massive tour hitting Australia, the EU, and the UK, along with several Australian festival slots this December. As for what else is in store? Harley hints that they "might have more secrets to reveal next year."

Advice to Aspiring Musicians: "Be confident, be sure of your image, practice your craft every day, and if you’re willing to commit at least five years of your time, everything will work out."