Tim Levinson, better known as Urthboy, reflects on his most chaotic gigs with a chilling honesty: ‘There’s a lot where it’s pretty good knowing we didn’t die.’ As The Herd gears up to celebrate 20 years of The Sun Never Sets with a new tour, Levinson shares the secrets to surviving life on the road—and it’s simpler than you’d think. ‘Clean socks after the gig,’ he insists, a lesson passed down from Dave of Resin Dogs. But here’s where it gets controversial: in an era of glammed-up riders, is this humble advice the ultimate survival hack or just a relic of the past?
The Herd has always been synonymous with politically charged music, and Levinson’s favorite protest song might surprise you. ‘Killing in the Name’ by Rage Against the Machine isn’t just a crowd-pleaser—it’s a masterclass in duality. ‘You can be a weird rightwing incel and feel like that song resonates with you, but actually, it’s a staunch activist anthem,’ he explains. And this is the part most people miss: how a song can be both universally appealing and uncompromisingly radical. But does its widespread appeal dilute its message? Let’s debate that in the comments.
When asked which animal he relates to, Levinson’s answer is anything but cute. ‘Sea otters that hold on to each other by their paws so they don’t drift away while sleeping,’ he says. ‘It’s not cute—it’s survival.’ A beautiful, raw symbol of connection that’s both poetic and painfully real.
One of the most transformative lessons Levinson learned came from Kenny of The Herd, AKA Traksewt: ‘Choose your battles.’ Growing up in hip-hop culture, where confrontation was the norm, Levinson admits, ‘I would love to walk into fights.’ But watching Kenny defuse tension by handing over masters to a volatile young group changed everything. ‘It really changed the trajectory of how I approached problem-solving,’ he reflects. But here’s the question: in an industry fueled by ego, is avoiding conflict always the best strategy?
Speaking of chaos, The Herd’s most hair-raising gig? A 4ZZZ benefit in Brisbane where rain flooded the stage, submerging cables and raising the specter of electrocution. ‘We kept performing,’ Levinson recalls. ‘It was a bit more devil-may-care back then.’ And this is the part most people miss: the thin line between artistry and recklessness.
When it comes to music, Levinson’s go-to album is Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest. ‘It’s one of those enduring records that has meant something to me every decade of my life,’ he says. But here’s where it gets controversial: in an era dominated by pop rap, does Low End Theory’s lack of catchy hooks make it a relic or a masterpiece?
Now, for a hot take: Levinson believes a Gremlins reboot should be directed by someone like Bong Joon Ho or Julia Ducournau. ‘Gizmo should lead the Gremlins this time,’ he insists. ‘He needs to take a good hard look at himself.’ But is this a genius idea or a sacrilege to the original? Let’s hear your thoughts.
Levinson’s most cringeworthy celebrity run-in? Asking Paul Kelly, ‘How do you write songs?’ in a silent green room. ‘I had bluffed my way into that moment just to have it all come crashing down,’ he admits. Relatable, right?
As a songwriter, Levinson looks to authors for inspiration, particularly Kae Tempest. ‘The greatest thing I could ever do as a writer is approach that beauty of assembling words in such a way that leaves you feeling something,’ he says. But here’s the question: can musicians ever truly match the depth of authors?
Finally, Levinson shines a spotlight on Kayeonwun (formerly Khi’leb), a Brisbane-based rapper he calls ‘unbelievable.’ ‘Artists need breakthrough moments, and he’ll be ready when that moment comes,’ he predicts. But in an oversaturated industry, what does it take to truly break through?
The Herd’s 20th-anniversary tour of The Sun Never Sets is hitting the road this February. Will you be there? And more importantly, what’s your take on the controversial points we’ve discussed? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments!
