TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Culture Wars have been on a wild ride over the past six months, opening for iconic rock acts such as ZZ Top and The Cult, as well as mega-selling artists Maroon 5, and most recently, LANY, at Kaohsiung Music Center on Sunday.
Streaming has played a key role in the band’s rise, with hits like “Heaven” and “Typical Ways” racking up millions of plays. True to their indie roots, the band handles its own management and licensing, allowing them to chart their own course.
Just three months after their last performance in Taiwan, Culture Wars are back—and making the most of it. They arrived early to do media interviews and perform an exclusive acoustic set for 60 fans, organized by streaming platform KKBox.
Meeting in a five-star hotel lobby at the start of their visit, the band filed into the media session one by one, ordering everything from Coca-Cola to Pu’er tea and Perrier.
They’re savoring their new momentum and remain grounded, recalling their early days playing 500-cap venues. “I remember someone telling us our van was on fire at some point and also parking in view of the hotel's security cameras so our gear doesn't get stolen,” said singer Alex Dugan.
Dugan credits persistence for their recent success: “putting one foot in front of the other.” He doesn’t mind playing in front of the headliner’s gear and was thrilled to use the catwalk on tour with Maroon 5.
The band admits to a few missteps in its early days—being billed as “electro-rock” with their debut EP, and choosing a name that now routinely appears in headlines related to US President Donald Trump.
“We definitely do not have a Google Alert for our name anymore,” said bassist Dillon Randolph. Still, the phrase didn’t enter the mainstream until after their debut.
“I think Culture Wars is really a fight between two people or even something with a person. We don't talk about politics on stage, as no one really wants to hear a band talk. And when it comes to politics, you can engage or just get a beer at the bar,” said drummer David Grayson.
Hailing from Austin has also shaped their path—though perhaps not in the expected way.
“A lot of bands in Austin get stuck in the Americana genre. And then they can never get out of Austin. We have always done our own thing and never wanted to play what other bands around us were playing,” said Dugan.
Culture Wars has focused on cultivating international markets, supporting Keane in Mexico, Maroon 5 in Indonesia, and now LANY in Taiwan. Big stages, they said, can feel just as intimate as smaller ones.
“Right now, for us, the big stage just feels right. We try to have a great show every night. This is what we always wanted and what we worked for. We take our music seriously, and this is what led us to this situation,” said Grayson.
Touring with veterans has also been instructive. “The Cult still has it. They are very professional, and Ian Astbury was totally locked in. His hands are also very messed up from playing the tambourine hard after so many years,” said Dugan.
The band stays focused on songwriting and sustainable growth—avoiding expensive studio time and retaining control of their recordings.
“We eat what we kill, and no outside company gets our masters,” said Dugan. Favorable licensing deals have supported their business model, as they refine their live act for new audiences.
Touring has also sharpened their perspective. “Rock and roll is a good story, but in the end, you still have to walk out of it and live,” said Dugan.
