Mildlife's 2020 sophomore album, Automatic, debuted in the Top 10 on the Australian charts, and snared a converted ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album. It saw the band elevate with more disciplined, directional and arguably more danceable synergy. With tightly structured arrangements making way for melodic improvisation and ethereal vocals, Mildlife effortlessly glide between live performances and studio songwriting; like Kraftwerk and Herbie Hancock quarantined in Bob Moog's Trumansburg workshop. In early 2021, unable to play shows due to the pandemic, Mildlife traveled by boat to a long abandoned 19th century island fort to perform for fairy penguins and abalone poachers. The result is Live from South Channel Island, a 70 minute motion picture and live album where the band masterfully recreate the magic of their live shows, framed by the gorgeous Port Phillip Bay.
