DIVES on 'Happier,' Self-Discovery, and Surfing the Indie Scene

Photo Credit: Sade Jarabek

Fresh off the success of their summer anthem "Be Fine," Vienna’s indie-surf trio DIVES return with their introspective new single, Happier, out now via Siluh Records. Known for their shimmering blend of jangly surf-pop guitars, harmony-driven melodies, and raw honesty, the trio continues to carve a unique space in the indie scene, rallying against inequality while crafting soundtracks that oscillate between melancholia and playful joy.

Ahead of their much-anticipated homecoming Christmas headline show, we caught up with DIVES—Dora de Goederen (drums), Viktoria Kirner (vocals, bass), and Tamara Leichtfried (vocals, guitar)—to talk about their latest release, life on tour, and what’s next for this trailblazing band that's been championed by the likes of God Is In The TV, Louder Than War, and Get In Her Ears.

1) Your new single "Happier" balances melancholia and hopefulness while maintaining your playful and upbeat sound. What inspired this track, and how does it reflect your growth as a band? 

“Happier” is about the difficult realization that you’ve changed - something you often don’t want to admit until one day you look in the mirror and have an honest dialogue with yourself: “I am someone else than I used to be.” You used to be lighthearted, not take life too seriously, but over time, life has left its marks on you. 

For us as a band, the song also reflects the personal journey of our guitarist Tamara Leichtfried. She has been struggling with a serious hand injury for the past two years and wrote the song when she realized how much the constant pain and the uncertainty of whether she’d ever play guitar again had changed her. There wasn’t much left of the lightness and ease she once had - just worry and fear. We finished the song right before her hand surgery, and we’re hopeful she will make a full recovery. 

2) With two albums and millions of streams under your belt, how has your experience touring Europe with artists like. Courtney Barnett and Franz Ferdinand influenced your approach to music and live performances? 

We actually met through the Pink Noise Camp, a music camp for women, girls, trans, inter and non-binary people. It’s a space where you can join without any prior musical knowledge - over the course of a week, you attend workshops, form a band, and perform the songs you’ve written at a final show. Back then, some of us were literally just learning the instruments we now play on stage. Our beginnings were very DIY, with a punky, raw appeal. It was all about getting on stage and making music, no matter what. 

Touring Europe and sharing stages with incredible artists like Courtney Barnett and Franz Ferdinand has been very inspiring for us. Over the years, we’ve grown and professionalized, and those experiences have definitely shaped us but we still carry that raw, fearless spirit from our beginnings. It’s a balance we love maintaining. 

3) Your sound has been praised for its jangly surf-pop guitars and harmony-driven melodies. How do you craft such a distinctive style, and what role does storytelling play in your songwriting? 

Our distinctive style is likely shaped by the fact that most of us taught ourselves how to play our instruments, and none of us have formal music training. This means we approach music very intuitively, creating it based on what feels right rather than relying on music theory. It’s all about experimenting with what sounds good and what resonates with us. 

We often tell very personal stories in our songs, but within the band, each song can have different meanings for us. This allows everyone to form their own personal connection and interpretation to a specific song. We also like to leave room for interpretation, especially when it comes to the "you" in our lyrics - who or what that "you" might be. At first, it might seem like the song is about a love story, but it could also be about friendship, family, or even the "you" within yourself (a dialogue within yourself for example). This openness is something we embrace, as it makes the songs more relatable and gives listeners the space to find their own meaning. 

4) Following your debut trip to the UK last year for The Great Escape and Focus Wales, how did the UK audience and reception compare to your shows across Europe? 

Our trip to the UK last year for The Great Escape and Focus Wales was a big highlight in our band history. Probably every indie rock band dreams of playing in the UK at some point, following the footsteps of the great indie bands that have influenced the genre and us as a band. It felt very surreal to play in a city for the first time and hear people singing along to our songs. The audience was incredibly warm and welcoming, we were very happy about it and the whole experience brought us closer together as a band. We really hope we get the chance to go back again someday! 

5) Your music has been celebrated for addressing personal stories, discrimination, and inequality. How do you balance these themes with your signature summery, feel-good sound? 

There are so many ways to sing about political and social relevant issues while still making music you can dance to. For example, in our song “Burger,” we invite people to scream out their frustration and anger about sexist comments and remarks with us - while dancing it all away. That’s one of the best parts of being in a band: writing songs that become an outlet for all kinds of emotions. Sometimes, though, an important message can also be delivered with a wink. Adding a touch of humor or playfulness can be just as powerful and help transform those heavy feelings into something freeing.