The album title of Traffik Island’s upcoming third album A Shrug Of The Shoulders has a humble nonchalantness about it, indicative of the output by the man behind Traffik Island - Zak Olsen - as he effortlessly creates masterful songs with no real regard for genre or style. It seems to come as easily to him as a ‘shrug of the shoulders’. Not one to be pigeonholed, Zak is something of a chameleon within the Melbourne music scene, popping up in a number of well loved bands that explore a spectrum of sounds; from the revivalist garage-rock tumble of The Frowning Clouds, to the dark and doomy psychedelia of ORB, to the wonky post-punk/new-wave of Hierophants. On his own though, Zak seems to be even more free-spirited with his musical output.

In 2019, he shared Nature Strip, his first full-length release as Traffik Island that bounced between colourful garage-pop and psych-folk yet came fully coated in his reliable 60’s tinge. A year later however, he flipped the script on what we would expect with the left-field synth-laden electronica of Peanut Butter Traffik Jam, followed by beat production as part of international spanning hip-hop duo SUGGS. At this point, a departure of sound from his previous records would be expected but in many ways A Shrug Of The Shoulders is a return to form on previous sounds that have been explored, not-withstanding some oddities and curiosities that are a part of what makes Zak such a loved musician. There is a certain comfortability in the sound on the new album, which Zak reflects on by saying, “after Peanut Butter, which was really conceptual, and felt like being a tourist in the synth world, I just wanted to go back to the stuff I grew up with. I always feel like I’m trying on different hats with music, but these are the songs I hear when I go to sleep”.

The first taste of A Shrug Of The Shoulders is ‘All The Money In The World’, which plays like an anti-capitalist lullaby. The song begins with open guitar chords that are like a warm welcome, before it makes way for intricate psych-tinged guitar, with keys tinkering away somewhere in the background. Zak has some sage advice, as he wisely whisper-sings “happiness comes and happiness goes, happens to go where energy flows, worry begins when you let in…”, the rich acoustic guitar flooding the track with warmth at the chorus whilst peeling back to make way for his charming vocal croaks in the verse.

Sounding a little rough around the edges, the track feels perfect in an imperfect way. Recorded by Zak and his housemate Jesse Williams of Girlatones at their home in Preston, the band purposely left blemishes on the record, such as “background chatter, the crack of a beer, and the start of a tape machine rolling”, making the entire listen fell all the more homely. On this Zak says “I kept hearing people say they wanted everything to be up to a certain standard. I just wanted to be the antithesis of that. I want people to hear this goofy song and think that’s not cool. I like that”.

With the full record still on the way, A Shrug Of The Shoulders is set to be a listen that feels just as carefree and playful as the environment it was crafted in. To let us in on what we might expect, Zak has shared some key influences on his music making of late.


Jamie Wdziekonski/@sub_lation

Jamie is a G and I’ve had the pleasure of darting around the world with him over the last few years. He’s always keeping his cool and encouraging everyone with their various creative attempts, not to mention he’s truly a master of his craft. I’ve seen a clowder of copy cats attempt bite his style recently but there’s only one Jamie and you can tell straight away. Basically wouldn’t have got around to finishing this album if it wasn’t for him. I’d shelved it for some reason and he said I should finish it, so I did. Thanks Dojo.


Randy Newman

I saw a documentary about Randy called Unfortunately I’m Randy Newman or something like that. I always liked his tunes but this movie really put into perspective what he was doing. It’s a common misconception that you have to be stern or over-emotional to make music with a ‘real’ or ‘serious’ message. Randy puts all that to bed. For some reason satire and humour doesn’t get much of a spotlight in music. I had tickets to see him in 2020 but he fell ill. I still have the tickets in my desk.


Howard Eynon

I heard Howard's song ’Commitment to the Band’ when I was about 20/21 and it felt like a cosmic prank being played on me. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t heard this Tasmanian weirdo on acoustic 12 string before. Then to find out he was born in Cambridge, England confirmed it was indeed cosmic. Hop, skip & jump and I’m sitting in Howard's cottage writing songs with him and playing ‘Commitment to the Band’ together. For me he’s living as we all should, barefooted and 12 stringed. I think Howard's spirit has been here dozens of times and this go around he’s nailed it.


Acoustic guitar

This paragraph pays respects to the perfect instrument. This whole album was written on acoustic guitar (besides 'Sunday, Sunday' and 'Papers'). Some days it can feel like a foreign object and some days its like an extra appendage, but every day is a good day with an acoustic around. Howard is my favourite acoustic guitar player I’ve seen, %100 organic and as predictable as nature.


Kanye West

A polarising character on the world stage but for whatever reason he really makes me want to create things. For me Yeezus was the real last punk album made, one that really pushes that whole genre and philosophy forwards. I like how he flaps his mouth and says what’s on his mind, not enough people in that mega celebrity world do that sort of thing. There’s been multiple attempts to assassinate his character but he always seems to come back and stay relevant and innovative.


Leah Senior & Jesse Williams

I lived with these two for four years or so and their whole world was a huge influence on mine. They really dedicate themselves to doing everything they can the best they can. They’ve been really encouraging to me with my music and Jesse’s playing took my songs up a few notches thats for sure. Thanks guys.