Interview: Mack & Cook – Music, Meaning & Moving Forward

Scarborough Beach sets the backdrop as Dave Bruce from Amnplify sits down with Murray Cook and Lizzie Mack — two towering figures in Australian music in more ways than one (6’4” and 6’2” respectively).

Between laughter, politics, rock history and a few outrageous stories, the conversation moves from pub gigs and protest songs to Madison Square Garden and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

From Soul Movers to Mack & Cook

Lizzie Mack originally formed The Soul Movers with Deniz Tek of Radio Birdman more than 20 years ago. Murray joined in 2013 after finishing his performing run as the original red Wiggle in The Wiggles.
The transition? Seamless — eventually.

Lizzie admits she hadn’t seen a single episode of The Wiggles when Murray joined. “Can you keep it that way for a while?” he told her.

Since then, they’ve written over 120 songs together. Now, under the name Mack & Cook, they’re revisiting decades of material and reshaping it into an acoustic-driven blend they describe as: “Australiana meets Americana.”

Country soul. Rock roots. Storytelling at the centre.

A Sign of the Times

Their latest single, “A Sign of the Times,” tackles Australia’s ongoing reconciliation conversation following the Voice referendum.

Rather than preaching, the duo frame it as an invitation:
Not white guilt, Not political sloganeering, But forward momentum, Allyship and Collaboration over colony

The song references the historic moment when Gough Whitlam handed soil back to Vincent Lingiari — a symbolic act of land rights recognition. They’re clear: the issue isn’t over.
“We need to tell the heart still waiting that there is a better future to come.”

For Mack & Cook, artists have a responsibility to keep conversations alive.

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Rock Roots & Legends

Murray cites The Beatles as his foundational influence — particularly Abbey Road. Lizzie counters with punk royalty: Road to Ruin by Ramones.

Other favourites mentioned: Lucinda Williams, Jason Isbell and ABBA
When asked who they’d perform with:
Murray: Paul McCartney
Lizzie: Elvis Presley (who once jokingly proposed to her — allegedly)
Highs, Heights & Harnesses
Lizzie once skydived off the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Murray once flew across Madison Square Garden in a harness — with a mishap he diplomatically declined to detail.
They’ve played everywhere from sticky carpet pub stages to Madison Square Garden.

Favourite venues? Cherry Bar in Melbourne, Madison Square Garden & Den Devine (Gold Coast)

What’s Next?

Touring across Australia, festival appearances, and European shows are locked in — including performances in Spain and possibly Paris. They’re also eyeing sessions at Abbey Road Studios.

For now, they’re focusing on releasing singles rather than a full album. And beyond music?

Murray’s daughter Georgia competes with Australia’s national wheelchair basketball team — another source of pride and international travel.

Philosophy

Their closing message is simple: “Do your bit. Get involved in life. It’s not a dress rehearsal.”

After decades in music — from punk stages to children’s arenas — Mack & Cook remain driven by creativity, community and conversation. And as Lizzie says with a grin: “Wait till they’re all dead — then I’ll tell you everything.”