From his early days in Melbourne’s underground rap scene to becoming a staple in the country’s music landscape — or, at least, well known as “that breakfast song guy,” — Seth Sentry’s career has been marked by a blend of sharp lyricism, relatable storytelling, and a commitment to staying true to his roots.
As Sentry prepares to embark on his ‘Off the Beaten Track’ regional tour alongside longtime friend and collaborator Pez, he took a moment to reflect with Rolling Stone AU/NZ on his journey so far, his relationship with fame, and his plans for the future.
Sentry first made waves nationally in 2008 with “The Waitress Song” from his debut EP The Waiter Minute, the track striking a chord with listeners across Australia, catapulting him into the spotlight. But before the fame, there was just a hungry young rapper hustling in Melbourne, hosting local rap nights and honing his craft in the city’s vibrant music scene.
“I used to run a little rap night in Fitzroy, and through a friend there, I met Pez,” Sentry recalls. This meeting would prove pivotal, as it not only led to a long-lasting friendship but also saw Sentry appear on Pez’s debut album A Mind of My Own. It was also how Sentry met Pez’s producer, Matik, who would later produce “The Waitress Song.”
“The Waitress Song” was more than just a breakout hit; it was a cultural moment. The song’s relatable lyrics and catchy melody resonated with a wide audience, leading to widespread radio play and critical acclaim. For Sentry, though, it was a double-edged sword. “There’s a fear where you’re like, fuck, what if this is the one? And you never get out from under that,” he admits.
However, the success of “The Waitress Song” was only the beginning.
In the years that followed, Sentry released a string of successful projects, including his debut album This Was Tomorrow (2012), which featured hits like “Dear Science” and “Float Away.” The album solidified his place in the Australian hip-hop scene and showcased his ability to blend introspective lyrics with catchy hooks and witty double entendres.
Fast forward a decade and a half from that first 31-date national tour, and Sentry and Pez are hitting the road again for the ‘Off the Beaten Track’ regional tour, which kicks off in Far North Queensland this weekend.
This tour marks the first time the pair have hit the road together since then, and the significance is not lost on Sentry. “My first tour around the country was as Pez’s support for his Mind of My Own tour, so it’s nice to be able to bring it back full circle in some respects.”
The pair’s relationship has evolved significantly since their early days in Melbourne. “We’ve kind of grown up together in that way where when I first met him, neither of us had any idea what the fuck we were doing in music,” Sentry says. Despite Pez taking a step back from music for several years until recently, their friendship endured, and they now find themselves living in the same town, Frankston — a place Sentry once famously trashed in his lyrics.
The tour itself is an extension of Sentry’s commitment to reaching fans in regional areas. “We’ve always been big on the regional shows and have always included them,” he admits, recalling the massive 50-date tour for his second album Strange New Past (2015). For Sentry, these shows offer a unique connection with fans, many of whom he sees year after year. “It feels more like a hang than a show in many ways. And it’s just fucking lovely to get out of the cities.”
Over the years, Sentry’s music has evolved, but certain elements have remained constant. Tracks like “The Waitress Song” are still staples of his live shows, and while one might expect the artist to grow tired of performing them, Sentry finds joy in the familiarity. “Surprisingly, after so long, I don’t get bored playing it live. There’s something about the flow of that song and the response to that song,” he explains. “It really stands out, especially when I’ve got a lot of heavier, less playful, more intense songs. It really is a nice moment in the set, I feel there’s not many songs in the set that are like it, so it’s always enjoyable.”
This consistency in his setlist doesn’t mean he isn’t experimenting. The upcoming tour will feature a mix of classics and new material, showcasing Sentry’s growth as an artist. “It’s a good mix, even though it is the Waiter Minute anniversary tour, we’re doing a bunch of stuff from all my projects, plus some new stuff as well,” he says.
As Sentry prepares for the tour, he’s also looking ahead to future projects. His last album, Super Cool Tree House (2021), was a departure from his usual creative approach, with Sentry challenging himself to write and release a song every week. “I find the whole thing quite exhilarating, to be honest,” he says of the project. The intense deadline and external pressure brought out a different side of his creativity, and it’s something he’s keen to explore again.
“I’m someone that doesn’t do very well if I’m given a lot of time; I’m given too much flexibility, too many liberties. I don’t do a lot. I can become quite lazy. I love playing video games. I love watching movies. I love fucking around.
“And so, if someone says, ‘Hey, write an album whenever you feel like it,’ I’ll slowly go through it, but it’s hard to keep up a real serious momentum,” Sentry admits. “Having that accountability, having that fear of fear of failure, I guess fear of not being true to your word really works for me. So I found that project the most easiest, most fun, most stressful album I’ve ever done.”
In addition to music, Sentry has been instrumental in creating the online rap battle series Keyboard Warriors, which has given him a front-row seat to the next generation of Australian hip-hop talent. “It’s a legitimate threat to me in my career. They’re very good,” he jokes, but there’s a genuine appreciation for the new wave of artists coming up. “It was extremely unexpected to build and be involved in a community like that of so many talented rappers… I think as you get older, a lot of your peers either stop or a certain element of segregation kind of starts to happen where everyone kind of goes off and does their own thing and that community can get lost. And so to recapture that was a really nice experience for me.”
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As Seth Sentry prepares to hit the road, it’s clear that he’s not just looking back on his career but also forging ahead with new ideas and projects. His journey from a young rapper in Melbourne to a household name in Australian hip-hop is a testament to his talent, perseverance, and ability to adapt. Although, one thing he still hasn’t adapted to is fame itself.
“I was never really good at believing my own hype, you know what I mean? And so it makes me feel deeply uncomfortable,” Sentry says of over-enthusiastic fan encounters. Although he does appreciate up-and-coming artists giving him their music — especially if it’s in the form of a CD.
“My favourite fucking thing was playing a show, especially in a regional town, and someone coming up to me and giving me their demo CD,” he says. “It was the fucking best, and then that was the drive the next morning in the tour van — you would put that in and play through the whole thing. It doesn’t happen anymore, because no one has CDs.”
Sentry admits demo CDs were a big part of his marketing strategy in the early days of his career. “I used to do it as well,” he says. “I would go to rap nights or sometimes even other people’s shows, and I would just stand out the front of a venue with my backpack on and my size 48 Dickies pants on, and I would just try and hustle and just get people to listen to my demo CD.”
These days, whether he’s performing in front of thousands in a major city or in a small venue in a regional town, Sentry brings the same energy and passion to every show. And with Pez by his side once again, fans can expect a tour that’s not just a trip down memory lane but also a celebration of what’s to come. For Sentry, the road ahead is just as exciting as the one he’s travelled, and hopefully his fans are ready to follow him wherever it leads.
Seth Sentry ‘Off the Beaten Track’ Regional Tour
featuring Pez
Tickets and info sethsentry.com
Friday, 27th September
The Jack, Cairns QLD
Saturday, 28th September
Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville QLD
Sunday, 29th September
Magnums Hotel, Airlie Beach QLD
Thursday, 3rd October
New Brighton Hotel – Shark Bar, Manly NSW
Friday, 4th October
University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW
Saturday, 5th October
The Sunken Monkey Hotel, Erina NSW
Friday, 11th October
Lonnies Nightclub, Launceston TAS
Saturday, 12th October
Uni Bar, Hobart TAS
Friday, 25th October
Mayberry, Darwin NT
Saturday, 26th October
Alice Springs Brewing Co., Alice Springs NT
