Society of Beggars
Society of Beggars | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2010s–present |
| Labels | Independent |
| Members |
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| Website | www |
Society of Beggars is an Australian alternative rock band based in Melbourne, Victoria. Formed by brothers Yianni and Dimitrios (Jim) Michalopoulos, along with drummer Tom "Dibi" Di Biase and later, bassist Zoë Alexa, the group emerged in the 2010s with a sound blending dark psychedelia and classic rock influences. Originally from Adelaide, they relocated to Melbourne and released their debut EP, An EP Called Night, in 2017. Their first full-length album, Levitator, was released in 2024 and received positive reviews from Australian and international music media.[1][2]
History
Early career
Society of Beggars formed in Adelaide before relocating to Melbourne, drawn to the city's alternative music scene. Yianni and Jim Michalopoulos are the sons of Mick Michalopoulos, guitarist and vocalist of the 1980s Adelaide band Vertical Hold.[3] Their early influences included acts such as The Doors, Tom Waits, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.[4] In 2017, the band released their debut EP, An EP Called Night, produced by Lindsay Gravina at Birdland Studios.[5]
Singles (2019–2023)
In 2019, the group released the single "God Mode", described as a cathartic track exploring themes of loss and resilience.[4] Later singles such as "Well of Wishes" and "All the Houses Have Their Lights On" received coverage in music publications, with Beat Magazine calling "Well of Wishes" a song that captures the band's "cataclysmic best."[1] Glide Magazine described "All the Houses Have Their Lights On" as "a dark and refreshing rock ballad" that blends brooding lyricism with atmospheric production.[6]
Levitator (2024)
The band's debut studio album, Levitator, was released on 28 November 2024 and produced by Lindsay Gravina at Birdland Studios.[2] The album was heavily influenced by the death of the Michalopoulos brothers' father, which informed its themes of grief, mortality, and healing. Obscure Sound called it "a powerful and cohesive alternative rock album" that channels emotional weight into sonic intensity.[2]
Beat Magazine described the album as "an emotional rollercoaster of the most epic proportions," noting its blend of classic rock and post‑punk stylings.[7] Happy Mag praised the record for its "artful lyricism and soaring arrangements," stating that the band "distil the pain of personal loss into something cinematic and cathartic."[8]
The band promoted the album with shows in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, including an album launch at The Old Bar.[9]
Style and influences
Society of Beggars' music blends elements of alternative rock, post-punk, and dark psychedelia. Reviewers have compared their sound to artists like Nick Cave and Tom Waits, citing their theatrical arrangements and lyrical introspection.[2][1] Their visual and musical aesthetic draws on noir, classic rock, and emotional vulnerability.
Discography
EPs
- An EP Called Night (2017)[5]
Studio albums
- Levitator (2024)[2]
Selected singles
External links
References
- ^ a b c d "'I'm serving a life sentence of rock and roll': Melbourne's Society of Beggars". Beat Magazine. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Society of Beggars – Levitator". Obscure Sound. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ Bryant, Sarah (11 August 2016). "Five Things with Jim Michalopoulos from Society Of Beggars". The Brag. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ a b c "Discover This: Society of Beggars". GigRadar. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Society of Beggars: Interview". May the Rock Be with You. June 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ a b "LISTEN: Society of Beggars Craft a Dark and Refreshing Rock Ballad". Glide Magazine. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Levitator lifts Society of Beggars to emotional heights". Beat Magazine. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Society of Beggars rise with Levitator". Happy Mag. 30 November 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Society of Beggars Launch". The Old Bar. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2025.