The Rubens Talk Healing And Taking the Independent Route For ‘Group Therapy’

Sam Margin, the frontman of The Rubens, has been through a tumultuous journey in his 15-year career. The Australian indie rock act has toured the world, reached the top 10 on the ARIA Albums Chart, and topped triple j’s Hottest 100 poll. However, the good times and bad started to blur together, causing Margin to lose sight of why he loved touring.

His mental health suffered as anxiety and depression crept in, leading him to question if the festivities before and after shows were worth the stress. Sam sought help, and his anxiety has since subsided. The band is now embarking on another Australian tour promoting their latest album, Group Therapy, which dropped on October 16.

Produced by Konstantin Kersting and recorded in a WWII bunker, The Bunker, the new collection is anything but subdued. After a synth-heavy 2024 album, SODA, The Rubens have returned to their rock roots with the energetic “Love Me America.” The band’s aspirations to make it big in the United States date back to the late days of their previous label, Michael Gudinski.

Despite not achieving their initial goal, they have continued to play sold-out shows and collaborate with artists like Run The Jewels and Vic Mensa. The Rubens consist of the Margin brothers, Zaac, Sam, and Elliott, alongside long-time friends Scott Baldwin and William Zeglis. They formed in 2011, uploaded their first single to triple j Unearthed, and won the triple j Unearthed Homebake competition.

Their breakthrough came in 2016 when they topped the triple j Hottest 100 poll with “Hoops.” With multiple ARIA top five albums under their belt, including a No. 1 with 2021’s 0202, the band members now have the freedom to experiment and make decisions on their own. While this newfound autonomy brings excitement, it also comes with its share of fear, a feeling that can be addressed through group therapy.