“We wouldn't be playing if we didn't think we were a good band,” admits bass keyboardist Jim Finn, who came together with frontman Dan Mac and drummer Dan W. when Mac found himself without a band for a show he had committed to playing that weekend.

Just over a year and a half later, the group has become ubiquitous on the back of singles like 'Flippers', 'Hollywood' and 'Parlez-Vous Francais?', and countless festival appearances.

“I guess there are probably a lot of bands who aren't good who think they are,” Finn continues. “But we were specifically writing music to be attractive to festival audiences. Had it not been successful, we might have been a bit disheartened … I guess we're just playing what we would want to hear if we were at a festival. The way we try to excite the crowd is the way we want to be excited as punters. I think that's why it seems to be working so well.”

While the unflappable Finn is doing his best to take the group's rapid rise in his stride, even he has to admit he was stunned when the group sold out every leg of their national tour earlier this year.

“We went to Perth and Tasmania, you know? We're selling out shows in places we've never been to! We've never been there, but people know and like us enough to come along and see our show. And a lot of them, as well! Not just, like, ten or 20 of them! I think because it all happened so quickly … it just seems surreal. It feels like somehow we cheated, because all this stuff has fallen in our lap and we haven't really done anything.”

Of course, that level of success would change anyone. Art vs Science are no exception.

“We've added an extra bottle of spirits to our rider now,” Finn confides. “That's usually just for festivals, though, because we tend to drink more at festivals. And it's nice to have a plate of fruit, or fresh sandwiches. Those are the things we've started asking for… I remember hearing the guys in Tame Impala put 'three virgins' on their rider, but I don't think they've ever gotten them.”

Art vs Science play Sunset Sounds at Brisbane Botanic Gardens and Riverstage January 6-7.