Artist
Get to know this week's triple j Unearthed Feature Artist, Cookii!
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
It’s weird because I think my sound developed over a period of a few years that kind of went totally undocumented. About 4 or 5 years ago I started making music that at that point I thought would be “cookii” – while these songs weren’t a million miles away from what cookii ended up being they were a bit more PC music and kind of simple. It was almost like after making a few pinnacle songs like “coca-cola”, “holiday” and “little” I kind of changed trajectory and it turned into what it is today pretty naturally from there on.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
I kind of don’t get inspired by something specific most of the time. I think the thing that keeps me motivated and inspired is the idea of melding genres. I tend to start writing songs with a set genre in mind, for example: “our love” was originally titled “hardstyle type beat” and from that point forward I tried to shape it into my own pop not pop thing.
What can punters expect from a Cookii live show?
I haven’t played a show yet so I couldn’t be 100% sure but I’m in the process of getting the set together atm. I’m definitely going to try to make it as visually engaging as possible so will switch instruments and hopefully figure out some kind of set design cohesion. We’ll see though!
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
I think I’ve been told multiple times from multiple different people the same phrase of “stop worrying about what’s to come just live in the moment” or something along those lines lol. Super cheesy but I definitely need to hear that sometimes cause I’m a serial overthinker and jump to negative conclusions relatively quickly so it’s always a nice reminder for me.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'Made For Silence' by Miiesha, how could you not be happy listening to that beaaatttttt my goodness
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
'Wanna Be Held' by Juice Webster, such a beautiful song. It always makes me super emotional whenever I listen to it.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'Cry' by Donatachi, biggest dang bop and what an insanely good cover. Iconic - forever obsessed.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
The last gig I went to was Purient just a couple months ago in between lockdowns. Such a good gig, she’s a great performer and the music’s so so dope. I've always had a soft spot for witchhouse and seeing the similarities even if unintentional come through her music is so cool. I loved every moment.
Tell us about the bands or people in the local music community that inspire you.
Some big local inspirations for me would be I’lls (RIP) and Lonelyspeck. I remember going to that last I’lls gig and just being SO sad that they weren’t going to continue with the group. Legendary people, legendary music. I’ve never really heard anything like Lonelyspeck before and still haven’t since. I’ve spoken to so many people about them and it’s seriously mind boggling that they’re not at the top of the charts right this second. Inevitably going to blow up one day soon though – we’ll just patiently wait.
What are your plans for the rest of 2021?
Working really hard on music and this next rollout. I’m so excited by all the stuff that’s being planned behind the scenes at the moment. 2021 is definitely gonna be a big one for cookii as a project – can’t wait to share!!
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Artist Spotlight
Apricot Ink
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A motley crew of Canberrans who got together during ISO to make music.
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Singer/Songwriter from Melbourne. Story-telling in its most stripped back form.
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Hip Hop ( ! # alternative #brisbane #australia #rap #trap #Poly #Aboriginal )
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Get to know this week's triple j Unearthed Feature Artist, YNG Martyr!
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
Music for me has always been an outlet, so I found that my sound developed alongside me as I grew up. When I was a younger kid I made alot of hype, in your face, aggressive music but that eventually morphed into a more nonchalant and melodic style.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Experience. I tend to have huge 2-3 month periods where I don't write a single song, then all of a sudden in one week I'll make 5-6 releasable songs. I think that's because during those 2-3 months periods, I'm just living and soaking up everything that's going on around me, and eventually those experiences force themselves out and into my music.
What can punters expect from a YNG Martyr live show?
Chaos.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
It came from a book called Think and Grow Rich. "Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit." I think about this quote alot, it's beautiful. It puts life into perspective, it shows that no matter how far that pendulum swings it always comes back the other way.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'Blues' by Olive Amun. There's something so soothing about a bitter sweet track like this (also props to ayotraee on the stunning mix)
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
'Feel the same' by Reyko. It make me sad :(
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'Spot the difference' by ONEFOUR. Can't go wrong with this one.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
I went to Deadset Fest in Sydney at the Oxford Art Factory. I had a slot on the show alongside Nooky, Johnny from the burbs, BART XL and a heap of other crazy artists. The night was insane and Johnny had a cheese platter backstage for us which was perfect.
Tell us about the bands or people in the local music community that inspire you.
My friends inspire the hell out of me, people like KILL Carter, REYKO, YNG One, YNG Frisby, YUNG SHOGUN, Riverine, BOY $COUT GATSBY, LOGAN M and countless others (love u all). The people that surround me and the people in the Australian music scene are freaks, they're insanely talented. I'm a very competitive person so having these people around me forces me to go as hard as I can.
What are your plans for the rest of 2021?
World dominance (and to celebrate life as much as I can)
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Chasing Ghosts
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Get to know this week's triple j Unearthed Feature Artist, Pirra!
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
We love going down the rabbit hole with learning production and recording techniques, and that has played a big role in developing our sound. We’ve also spent a lot of time performing live together and we take note of what the audience reacts to, which also influences us.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
We often get inspired by other peoples music, there’s an amazing breadth of talent and creativity out there.
What can punters expect from a Pirra live show?
They can expect sweaty dancing and big sing alongs. We’ve worked hard to make our show combine electronic production with live instrumentation.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
When we worked with Sam Littlemore he actually told us we should write a band manifesto. He was pushing us to get a clearer picture of what it is that we truly want to say to the world. Even just having the conversation as a band gave us a greater sense of focus and intention.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'Lil Bit' by Peking Duk, it’s all the best kinds of fun.
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
As You Are by Kimbra. I know she’s technically from NZ but I’m hoping we can claim her for this one because Daniel Johns is listed as a co-writer so that’s close enough right?
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'Control Your Body' by Pnau
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
Northeast Party House were crazy good. They manage to incorporate all the best bits of live instrumentation with electronic production to keep the heart rate up while you sing your lungs out.
Tell us about the bands or people in the local music community that inspire you.
We’ve been listening to Lazywax quite a bit lately, it’s all round good time music from a couple of sydney musos. We’d secretly love to play a show with them one day.
What are your plans for the rest of 2021?
So far the plan is to do some touring, release more music and work towards an album.
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Artist
Get to know this week's triple j Unearthed Feature Artist, The Last Martyr!
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
When we started the band, we didn't want to pigeonhole ourselves. We all have so many different influences from prog to nu-metal, heavy rock and trap so from the start we set out to create music that was heavy, catchy and had a message to share.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Personally speaking, it's the ability to empower yourself and others through writing and performing. Music has been there for me when I felt like no one else was, and I've had people tell me before that my music has helped them get through some really tough times. As artists, I believe it's our responsibility to share how we interpret the world and help people feel less alone. The ability to help someone through my music, or even save a life, the way others have done for me is the main inspiration.
What can punters expect from a The Last Martyr live show?
We've been working really hard this year to put together a super energetic show now that gigs are back on! You can expect some raw and weird energy influenced by a lot of the 2000s nu-metal bands we love. I personally am a huge Chrissy Amphlett fan so sometimes I feel I channel her a bit - she's both pouty and tough. What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from? The best advice I've been given was from my Father who said in life to find what you love and figure out a way to get paid to do it.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
Ask For The Anthem by Ocean Grove (you just can't help dancing to the verses and the chorus is smooth AF)
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
The Horses by Daryl Braithwaite (happy drunk crying)
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Get on the Beers by Mashd n Kutcher and feat. Dan Andrews (please stand for the Australian National Anthem)
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
We saw our mates, rap-metal band, The Suburbs at the new Cherry Bar. It was a hectic and sweaty time.
Tell us about the bands or people in the local music community that inspire you.
There are so many people in the local scene who inspire us - too many to name. It's been amazing watching everyone band together through the pandemic supporting one another and seeing different businesses and bands pivot.
What are your plans for the rest of 2021?
We have a tour that will be announced soon coming in early September and are playing Halloween Hysteria Festival on 23 October! We also have more new music to be released ahead of our EP 'Purgatory' dropping later in the year. But you can hear it before it's dropped by heading to a show!
