On the Guestlist: SPORTS
SPORTS Is Just Getting Started
Ten years and a self-titled reset later, Christian Theriot and Cale Chronister aren't slowing down — they're speeding up.
For their new self-titled record, SPORTS stripped things back to basics: just the two of them, a studio they finally own, and zero deadlines pushing them toward someone else's idea of "done." The result is an album that sounds like a band rediscovering itself — unpredictable, hyperpop-leaning, occasionally auto-tuned to oblivion, and somehow still unmistakably them. Calling it "Sports" wasn't a branding flex so much as a gut feeling: most self-titled records are debuts, and this one felt like starting over.
Now they're bringing that reset to Australian shores for the very first time, a decade after their first song went out into the world. We caught up with Christian and Cale ahead of the run to talk hyperpop rabbit holes, the overwhelming freedom of full creative control, what it's like watching a song change shape under you on tour, and why Cale is mildly terrified of how much Australians can drink.
Here's what they had to say.
Sports | Photo by Sakina Indrasumunar
Your self-titled record feels like a reset in a lot of ways. What made this the right album to name after yourselves?
Christian - We felt like if there ever was a time to self title it was now or never. We went through many changes as a band member left and we got new management, our own studio space. It was just the two of us showing up everyday like we did when we first met in junior high. This was a new chapter and I thought it was a perfect fit to call it Sports.
Cale - yeah we were trying to treat the whole process like it was our first album, like we were a new band, and since most self-titled albums are an artist’s first album, it felt fitting.
This is your first fully self-produced project. Did having complete creative control change the way you approached songwriting?
Christian - The biggest difference was having time to really experiment. We didn’t have the constraint on only a certain amount of days at the studio because we owned the studio. Allowed us to write as many songs / song ideas as possible and the best ideas just naturally rose to the top and eventually we had enough for a full album.
Cale - I tend to overthink when I have too much time. I had a hard time with that to be honest. But I eventually learned how to just move quickly and stop second guessing. That’s where the best stuff happens.
A lot of the album feels simultaneously polished and unpredictable. Were there any artists or records you kept coming back to and were there any unexpected inspirations that made their way into the album?
Christian - I got really into Hyper Pop. Artist like Sega Bodega, A.G Cook, OK LOU. I got obsessed with their production and the freedom of creating these lush pop songs with just a laptop. Even though we had a full studio with all our gear everything was fed into the laptop where we really shaped the songs. This allowed us to throw paint at the wall and then just really keep what was necessarily for the song.
Sports | Photo by Sakina Indrasumunar
‘Jelly’ feels like one of your boldest pop tracks yet. Was there a moment during the album process where you realised you wanted to push further in that direction?
Christian - back on the Hyper Pop note that's the production style that I was really into. This is also the fastest Sports song we have ever written. We cranked the BPM in Ableton and just started writing to that.
Cale - That was one where I wrote the vocal melodies with auto-tune on, which I haven’t done in past records. Using the auto-tune as an effect or a guide was extremely fun.
There’s a strong sense of freedom across the record. Did self-producing make the process more exciting or more overwhelming?
Cale - it was overwhelming for me at times. There’s always gonna be moments of uncertainty and usually we had or producer there to help us. It was daunting sometimes when I didn’t know the answer, but very rewarding to learn how to step up and trust myself.
Christian - This is the most creatively fulfilled I have ever felt for a project. Mostly because we made it ourselves. Did have a producer holding our hand and telling us it was “good” The hardest part was definitely the deadline. Once we finished the first song that gave us the confidence to know we can do this.
You’re finally bringing SPORTS to Australia for the first time. What have you heard about Australian crowds?
Christian - I can’t believe we are finally able to make this happen. The fact that there are fans all the way in Australia is still mind blowing but at the same time it makes sense with the power of the internet! I'm not sure what to expect. Trying not to have too many expectations and just enjoy the ride.
Cale - I keep hearing about how much y’all can drink and I’m scared. haha
Is there a particular song from the new album that’s been hitting differently live?
Christian - Honestly all of the new songs have been hitting way harder live than I was expecting. Drama King, If You Want Me and I Can’t Cry the crowds are jumping, singing and really feel like they have listened to the new record which is always such a good feeling. We’ve got fans who have been listening since we put out our first song in 2015 so to have those fans still listening and enjoying the new music is a really great feeling. Also s/o to all the new fans out there. I feel like we are just getting started.
Cale - If You Want Me has become a very interactive song with the crowd. They always sing the “oh oh” part. It’s so much more fun when the crowd is singing with me.
Sports | Photo by Sakina Indrasumunar
After playing these songs on tour for a while now, has your relationship with the album changed at all?
Cale - Absolutely. We play the songs over and over every night so they slowly just get more spice and become something new. Also, sometimes the fans dictate the energy of a song or a whole set, and we might feed off that and change the way we perform a little bit. I imagine listening to the album, it will feel quite different to me now.
Christian - I don’t think I’ve listened to the full album in a minute but once the tour is fully over I might be able to listen with an entirely new perspective. It will probably take me back to us creating it and realize how fast time moves. Gotta enjoy the ride while we can.
Touring a self-produced record probably feels different emotionally compared to previous releases. Does playing these songs live feel more personal?
Christian - Not more personal, just a bit different. We are a bit older and wiser and know that this “job” is so weird. My dream as a kid was to play in a band on tour so any chance I get to do it and people show up is still such a crazy feeling.
Cale - For me, it does feel more personal. I get to see how the lyrics affect people and I even get to see how the lyrics affect me. I find myself getting emotional when I’m performing. When I’m recording the lyrics, it’s a lot of start and stop, double the vocal, overthink the lyric, does that vowel sound work there? Does this make any sense? When it’s live I’m done with all the craft and just singing my story.
Since this is your debut Australian run, are there any places, foods or experiences you’re determined to check off while you’re here?
Christian - I'm not sure how much time we will have to really get a feel for the country but I’m hoping to do as many touristy things as possible. I need that “holding a kola” pic! But yeah ive heard the coffee scene in Aus is the top of the top so excited to have the best iced latte of my life.
Cale - kangaroos, koalas, cork hats.
Ten years into SPORTS, what excites you now that maybe didn’t excite you when you first started?
Cale - it feels like we just turned a corner with this last tour and album. There was a lot of uncertainty with the last album, being released during covid. We couldn’t tell where we were at. But the reception of this album, and the shows being mostly sold out really helps me feel like we can keep going.
Christian - Longevity. When we first started we were just kids making records and playing shows. I had had the dream to keep it up but didn’t know it was possible. 10+ years later I feel like we are just getting started and don’t imagine stopping any time soon.
What’s the most “SPORTS” thing about SPORTS?
Cale - probably my jumpshot.
Sports | Photo by Sakina Indrasumunar
If each member had to choose one song from the album to introduce a new listener to the band, which would it be?
Christian - I feel like this answer is ever evolving but as I’m typing this right now it's If You Want Me. This is the first song we finished for the new record and It feels like a great introduction to our sound. But ask me in a week it might change.
Cale - I agree, but i’ll say Keep Falling in Love to have a different answer. I like the positivity of that one and also I think the chorus is pretty damn catchy and
If you had to build a mini soundtrack for this current SPORTS era/tour life, what tracks are making the cut right now?
Christian
Fcukers - L.U.C.K.Y
Sega Bodega - UM UM
The Avalanches Feat Jamie XX - Every Single Weekend
Caribou - You Can Do It
Cale
Kylie Minogue - Can’t Get You Out of My Head
David Bowie - I’m Afraid of Americans
Air - Remember
Primal Scream - Slip Inside This House
Against All Logic - This Old House is All I Have
Ten years in, SPORTS sound like a band that's stopped looking over their shoulder. There's no producer left to second-guess, no deadline dictating when a song is "finished" — just two people who met as kids, still figuring it out in real time, and somehow more excited about it now than they were a decade ago. If this self-titled chapter is them starting over, it's also proof of how far they've already come.
Catch SPORTS live for the very first time on Australian soil this run — don't miss your chance to see the reset happen in person.
Thu 9 Jul – The Night Cat – Naarm/Melbourne
Fri 10 Jul – Oxford Art Factory – Gadigal/Sydney
Sat 11 Jul – The Brightside – Meanjin/Brisbane
🎟️ Tickets & info HERE