‘Looking Past the Pandemic’ with GL from Melbourne, Australia

Keeping travel dreams alive and setting goals has never felt more important. We can all agree that 2020 has been an unfortunate year so far, and almost every facet of daily life has been wrought by this ongoing global pandemic, the start of which now feels like forever ago. The arts has been one of the hardest hit areas, so The AU Review has kickstarted a Q&A series “looking past the pandemic”, encouraging creatives from around the world to share their travel hopes, dreams, and the thoughts or things that are getting them through 2020, while also highlighting essential experiences in their own country.

GL (Melbourne, Australia)

Melbourne duo GL – Graeme Pogson and Ella Thompson – are fresh off the release of their new 10-song project You Read My Mind, and it’s a further dip into the shimmering world built by the dream-like synth-pop they have become known for. With wider instrumentation, from face-melting drum kicks to curvy synth patterns, Ella’s wistful vocals have never sounded more urgent as on songs like “Pistachio” and “Night Habit”.

We caught up with GL to look past the pandemic.

When travel opens up completely, the first place we’re going is…

Sydney, Brisbane, all the AUS spots! Then we would love to go back to the UK and Europe and hopefully make our first trip to the US. We are thirsty to return but hanging in there like everyone else until it’s safe and sound.

Head to Collingwood’s Cibi for Japanese-styled breakfast.

Three spots in Melbourne we think everyone should visit at least once in their life…

Warrandyte, my home town, it’s only 30 mins from the city and well worth the drive for a swim, walk and veggie pie at the famous bakery.

Northside Records for a chat and great records.

Cibi for the best Japanese breakfast of all time.

Whenever we have visitors in our city / town and we want to show them a good night out, the first place we take them is…

Angel Bar.

We’d end the night at…

Angel Bar, I guess!

Most memorable thing we’ve eaten on the road…

Pizza in Croatia.

The one international venue we’ve always wanted to play…

Paris Olympia, because I saw Erykah Badu play there and it was the best day of my life.

The one international destination we’re yet to visit but have always dreamed of…

San Fran – I hear the west coast like it squelchy.

READ: Five essentials for your first time in San Francisco

The three things or thoughts that are getting us through this pandemic…

Thinking about what’s for dinner, my puppy Porcini, and Melbourne’s budding walk and takeaway niche.

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For more on GL you can follow them on Facebook here.

Chris Singh

Chris Singh is an Editor-At-Large at the AU review, loves writing about travel and hospitality, and is partial to a perfectly textured octopus. You can reach him on Instagram: @chrisdsingh.