The Rubens Discuss Sixth Album Group Therapy and Recovery

Sam Margin, the singer of the Australian indie rock band The Rubens, has opened up about the mental health struggles, alcohol-related breakdown, and subsequent recovery that shaped the band’s sixth studio album, Group Therapy, released on October 16.

Sam Margin Confronts Burnout and Anxiety on Tour

Fifteen years into a career that produced five top-10 appearances on the ARIA Albums Chart and a number-one spot on triple j’s Hottest 100 poll, Margin realized the highs and lows of life on the road had blurred together. In an interview with billboard.com, he explained that he lost connection to why he liked to tour, focusing instead on post-show plans rather than the music.

That shift took a severe toll on his mental health. Margin described how drinking before soundchecks and chasing nightlife to cope with mounting pressure actually amplified his anxiety. The stage remained the only place free of pain, but the heavy lifestyle surrounding it proved unsustainable.

Margin eventually sought help, addressing the burnout that threatened his career. Now sober on the band’s current tour, he looks back without bitterness. He expressed gratitude for the years of touring and partying that preceded his lifestyle change, noting that the excessive routine simply stopped being fun and started damaging his well-being.

Recording Group Therapy in a Converted Bunker

The frontman’s personal breakdown and recovery directly inspired the title of the band’s October 16 release, Group Therapy. Produced by Konstantin Kersting, the album was recorded inside a converted World War II communications bunker known as The Bunker.

Musically, the new collection marks a deliberate pivot. Opening track “Love Me America” features heavy electric guitar riffs, representing a sharp return to straightforward rock after the synth-driven sound of the band’s 2024 album, SODA.

The album title also nods to the challenges of pursuing an international career. The band’s American ambitions, shared by their late champion and former label head Michael Gudinski, did not unfold precisely as planned. Despite this, The Rubens have returned to the United States multiple times for sold-out shows and collaborations with artists such as Run The Jewels and Vic Mensa.

Going Independent After a Long Label Partnership

Formed in 2011 in the semi-rural village of Menangle, southwest of Sydney, The Rubens consist of brothers Zaac, Sam, and Elliott Margin alongside long-term friends Scott Baldwin and William Zeglis. Their rise accelerated after uploading their debut single “Lay It Down” to triple j Unearthed and winning the Homebake competition, later capturing the nation’s attention when “Hoops” topped the triple j Hottest 100 in January 2016.

Prior to Group Therapy, the group achieved a streak of five consecutive top-five ARIA albums, including a number-one debut for 2021’s 0202. Having parted ways with Mushroom Group and Ivy League, the band is now managing their music career entirely on their own terms.

Elliott Margin acknowledged that while their previous labels granted them significant creative freedom, stepping out independently introduces a new level of autonomy. Managing the transition without a major label requires leaning on years of industry experience, supported by their management team handling release logistics.

The 24-Date National Tour Schedule

The Rubens are currently supporting the release of Group Therapy with an extensive 24-date national tour spanning capital, suburban, and regional centers across Australia. The tour kicked off following a high-profile performance at the Singapore Grand Prix Music Festival and runs through February 2027.

The setlist features recent singles including “Goanna,” “Are You Getting High,” “No Champagne,” and “The Cannonball.” Upcoming regional stops include performances in Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Coolum, Brisbane, and Melbourne, continuing through a series of coastal and regional venue dates into early 2027.