Australian band DMA's cracking international markets before visiting NZ neighbours

In just a couple of years DMA's have become one of Australia's biggest rock bands, and has even a fan in former Oasis singer Liam Gallagher.

The Britpop-influenced band has grown its fanbase worldwide thanks to relentless touring, but until now haven't toured their nearest neighbour: New Zealand.

You'd think an Australian band's first foreign shows would be somewhere close to home - but DMA's has done things the long way round. So what took them so long?

"Maybe it took us too long to come to New Zealand because it was so close, when you're thinking of America, Europe, and the UK," guitarist Johnny Took told Newshub.

They've already cracked those markets. Since releasing debut album Hills End last February, they've racked up millions of streams and performed hundreds of shows.

They say the trick to growing an audience is to keep going back and look outside the capital cities.

"The first time we played in Manchester it was a really small room, crazy small, like seven or eight people. And we went back six months later and played to over 1000," touring guitarist Joel Flyger said.

DMA's have also caught the attention of one of Manchester's most famous sons, Liam Gallagher.

"He came to a gig of ours in London when we were there, and we went and watched the Manchester Derby with him and his son," Took said.

The former Oasis frontman is infamous for insulting bands he doesn't like - so having him as a fan is a big deal.

"He came up to Tommy [O'Dell, DMA's vocalist] that night and he goes, 'Man, that 'Timeless' song, I f**kin' love it,'" Took said.

"He goes, 'You're timeless maaaaan,' he sung it in his face. It was pretty funny."

The trio expands to six onstage. Even though they're split between Sydney and the UK, it's easy to get together. 

"[Guitarist Matt] Mason and I don't pay rent at our place so we can pick up and piss off whenever we want," Took said.

They say debuting new songs on tour can be a risk but with album number two not due out until next year, it gives the band plenty of time to test them on the road.

Newshub.