In an industry defined by diversity and an ever-evolving pursuit of creativity, Culture Wars emerges as one of the most compelling new acts, distinguished by a clear sense of identity and a deliberate creative direction. From once measuring success by a modest crowd of hundreds in their early days, to now performing on international stages before audiences of thousands, their journey has not been shaped by industry formulas, but rather by an intrinsic drive and a steadfast commitment to crafting their work independently at every stage.
#Legend_th had the opportunity to sit down with Alex Dugan and Dillon Randolph to explore these ideas further, from their creative process and sense of identity, to the forces that continue to propel the band forward. The conversation moves between vivid memories from the stage that still linger, and the enduring energy of their music that remains in constant motion.
#Legend_th: If you had to describe Culture Wars in three words right now, what would they be?
Alex Dugan: Organic, energetic, and authentic. I think energetic is explanatory, because of the music. But I think the rest of it is really that we’re a band that writes and records, and we write all our own music. We record all our own music. Our producers, our guitar player, our mixer is the same person. We do everything ourselves. We run the show. It’s built from the ground up, and it’s something that we’re continuing to be proud of.
#Legend_th: Looking back to when you first started, what’s something about the band that has completely changed, and something that still feels the same?
Alex Dugan: What’s completely changed is about the scale. We used to just be happy if we could do a show in our hometown and get 100 friends to show up, and now we’re doing shows all over the world and getting 500 to 1,000 people to show up. So that’s very different.
Dillon Randolph: I’d say the determination is still there, too. That’s one thing that I think only grows with time.
#Legend_th: As LANY is quite well-known here in Thailand, and you had the chance to open for them in 2024, could you tell us about that experience?
Alex Dugan: For us, it was our first time in Thailand, which already made the whole experience feel special. The show itself was great, of course, but what really stood out was everything around it. I’ve always loved Thai food, so we fully indulged in that, and we also had the chance to visit Rajadamnern Stadium to watch some Muay Thai. That was an incredible experience, easily one of the most memorable nights off we’ve had on tour. Being there, at the very heart of it, made it all the more special. We were just enjoying every moment.
#Legend_th: Your new song “Don’t Speak”, what kind of feeling were you hoping to capture with this track?
Alex Dugan: I mean, obviously, but if I had to put a word to it, I’d say defiance. That’s really what it feels like. There’s a certain rawness to it, something that almost provokes a reaction, like an urge to push back or speak out.
Dillon Randolph: Yeah, I think that’s a good one, like, kind of about the state of everything.
#Legend_th: When you’re writing lyrics, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
Alex Dugan: It’s really about focusing on the energy and the melody first, and then allowing whatever comes out naturally to shape the direction of the song. In that sense, the lyrics tend to follow the feeling, they’re written to complement and carry the energy in a way that feels right for the track, if that makes sense.
Ultimately, what defines both the success and identity of Culture Wars may not lie solely in their genre or the steadily growing size of their audience, but in the mindset they choose to uphold: an approach rooted in internal creation, complete ownership of their process, and a willingness to let the energy of their music lead with honesty. Perhaps it is precisely this that allows their sound to remain so vividly alive, not because it strives for perfection, but because it continues to evolve, move, and stay true to who they are.
