Get to know this week's Feature star, CXLOE. She's currently living overseas in LA making impressive, dark and brooding music full of drama.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
Its taken me a while to develop my sound, but I've enjoyed the journey! Countless trips back and forth from America going in any and every session I could find. I first started off a few years ago wanting to do folk; inspired by Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell, Sara Bareilles. But after being in LA for a while and trying to cope with its brutal/lonely nature my music took a bit of a darker turn. I still draw a lot of my melodic inspiration from those artists but the production and undertones are not as organic and more electronic driven. Now I draw a lot of my inspiration from artists such as Lorde, Banks and Sasha Sloane.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Probably everything. I mean obviously, I'm so in love with music and the feeling it gives me. But a lot of my inspiration comes from my boyfriend and my family. They give me so much strength and I draw so many of my experiences from them and write about them. They are also the reasons I want to succeed in this business.
What can punters expect from a CXLOE live show?
A dark and brooding set with musical highs and lows. Dope lighting with songs you can sing along to and cry to. I love taking my listeners on a journey as I feel I'm quite honest as an artist so I don’t mind letting people in.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
To work SMART, not hard (obviously work hard, but you get the point haha) It was given to me by a friend and artist I really look up to Will Singe.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'World of our Love' by Client Liaison.
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
'Comfortable' by LANKS (it's quite a hopeful song but for some reason, I always end up balling my eyes out!).
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'Holiday' by KOTA BANKS DUH!
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
I'm living over in LA at the moment so the last local Artist I saw was Aussie singer-songwriter Bobi Andenov. He performed at a local event called School Night in Hollywood and totally crushed it!! His vocals are insane and his songwriting is next level!!
Tell us about the bands or people in the Sydney music community that inspire you.
Oh gosh, there are so many. I'm so inspired by JOY and Jack River, they’re just totally running their own race and I LOVE IT! There are also two women in the music community that really inspire me as they are the most genuinely supportive women I have come across. Nina Las Vegas and Kota Banks. They are both so encouraging of women in the music industry and don’t see other artists as competition. Which is what we need more of!! I adore these two so much. And OBVIOUSLY my manager Sarah Donelly she is a BOSS I don't know how I got so lucky.
What are your plans for 2018?
To protect my peace over here in LA and write awesome music!!!!
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Meet this week's Feature Artist and Groovin the Moo comp winner, Adrian Eagle. He's currently on tour supporting Thundamentals and he's got a voice that'll melt that heart of yours. Check him out!
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
I've been working on my debut EP which will be out this year. I have been singing and writing all my life but never had the self-confidence to sing for anyone outside my family up until recently. I guess my sound came from my influences and my environment. It's a very natural feeling for me and I feel free doing it.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
My greatest inspiration for making music is for healing my own mental health, through self-expression, and by doing what I love. I believe music heals. Also, for my family, my people who believe in me and for my goddaughter's...the next generation. I'm living on extra life and am thankful to be here.
What can punters expect from an Adrian Eagle live show?
People can expect me to sing straight from the heart. I really enjoy singing for people for the first time and connecting with them for the very first time during and after.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
I think the best advice I've ever been given was to listen to my spirit and to do what you love. I'm not sure exactly who first told me this advice but it's been with me and grown with me ever since. I've had good advice from my Grandma and other role models throughout my years.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
B Wise with 'The Key ' or 'Natural Woman' by Kaiit.
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
360's track "Tiny Angel" off his latest album. he's a great storyteller and express beautiful emotion on this track.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
"Sally" by Thundamentals. Yeaaahh boy, such a banger - you gotta get down to this. I don't get tired of it.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
Have bared witness to a lot of local gigs recently. Currently on tour with Thundamentals & B Wise at the moment across the country. They've been such a great vibe and I'm learning so much from them. It's good to see how many people come out to support local gigs and the Thunda's are amazing.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Melbourne music community that inspire you.
I'm constantly inspired by music and the community in Melbourne. I'm inspired by Neil Morris and his project DRMNGNOW. Neil has an amazing voice and message that I hope is heard across the country. He's got a song out now on his triple j Unearthed profile with myself and brother Philly called 'Australia Does Not Exist' and I hope you check it out. I'm also inspired and very excited for Kaiit's debut EP to come out. I'm inspired by my beautiful friends and family. Inspiration is all around me.
What are your plans for 2018?
I am currently looking forward to releasing my debut EP 'Wings' and am looking forward to sharing new sounds with listeners. This year is special to me with a lot of exciting things happening, thank you for being apart of it triple j Unearthed and triple j.
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Featured Artist
2018
1
Apr
The Sleepyheads
(- launceston ,
- Tasmania ,
- Punk , ...
Northern Tasmania, TAS
It's time to eat your heart out with this week's Feature Artist out of Launceston, The Sleepyheads.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
I (Pat), released 2 solo EPs in 2015 under my own name. Then the Sleepyheads formed a year or so later. The full band has definitely influenced the sound, my solo stuff was a lot more folky. I think it's still on the internet somewhere actually!
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Relationships always come up a lot in my writing, which is super original hey? Not just romantic relationships though, but friendships and how certain things can effect those relationships. I've always found it way easier to write about stuff that has actually happened, rather than making up stories. I'll often take something someone says and then base a whole song around that.
What can punters expect from a Sleepyheads live show?
A lot of fun. We always just aim to have a really positive energy at live shows. We also used to drink out of gumboots, we might be bringing that back again soon too.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
"If you can believe in Santa Clause for as long as you did, you can believe in yourself for 10 minutes" ~ some random person on the internet.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
"All Together" by Househats is definitely my go to happy song at the moment!
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
Sunk by Kat Edwards will break your heart and mend it again all in the space of 4 minutes.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Find me one party where "Wild Strawberries" by Pnau hasn't taken it up a notch, and I'll be very surprised.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
The last gig I went to was when we played with the Bennies a few weeks ago. It was great. You cant have a bad time at a Bennies gig! The next day was very rough though. Very rough.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Tasmania music community that inspire you.
I've always looked up to the Luca Brasi boys. There approach to supporting the Tassie scene is really encouraging for younger bands. Other awesome friends doing great things are The Saxons, Sumner, Hurricane Youth, Kat Edwards and Squid Fishing. It's always inspiring watching your friends do amazing things.
What are your plans for 2018?
We want to tour a lot more. We haven't been to Adelaide yet so we really want to get up there, and maybe Perth as well? I reckon we'll try and write and record some new stuff too.
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Get to know this week's triple j Unearthed Feature Artist, Carla Geneve. She's just 19-years-old, has already supported idols Abbe May and Jen Cloher and she's got one of the most clever and relatable tracks we've heard so far this year. Check it out here.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
It's hard to say but I think my music is probably a mix of folk lyrics and structures with rockier or heavier tones. I just started out writing my songs on acoustic guitar when I was younger, then it kinda just got louder and louder. Now I'm really into playing electric with a band, but it's kind of the same singer-songwriter stuff underneath.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Going out to watch live local shows! I make sure I see a lot of live music in Perth. There are so many great local bands, listening to their ideas and seeing how they do stuff reminds me how much i love playing.
What can punters expect from a Carla Geneve live show?
Some noisy guitar, some awkward stage banter and some (hopefully) loveable stuff-ups.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
"Mistakes aren't always a bad thing", my Dad.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'Our Place' by Verge Collection.
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
'Dark Art' by Jen Cloher.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'Ubu' by Methyl Ethyl.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
Airline Food's EP launch. So Good! It was such a great lineup of friends and music that I love! Go listen to Airline Food's EP 'Fragments in Green', it's the best.
Tell us about the bands or people in the WA music community that inspire you.
Artists that are facing any kind of discrimination here, whether it be due to gender, sexuality, race or another kind, but keep on shredding regardless. Also, my band. They're so bloody talented in their own right, also they're always keen to play, or do something fun.
What are your plans for 2018?
We love playing live shows, and there'll be a heap more of those for sure. I think we're also going to be doing some more recording and releases, which is super exciting! Hopefully some shows over east are coming up sooner or later.
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Headed to Download festival this weekend? Well, you better acquaint yourselves with Melbourne heavy heads Cast Down. They'll be opening the main stage this weekend as our Unearthed comp winners!
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
To sum things up as quickly as possible, we’ve been a band for not even two years and had two guitarists and two drummers leave the band in that short amount of time. We started off basically writing songs that were designed for people to mosh to and personally I was pretty tired of writing and playing songs like that. When our guitarist Pat wrote our latest single ‘Leatherman’ he also sent through an industrial version with electronic drums/synths/etc and we all thought it was great and that was the direction we should lean towards. It felt like a natural evolution for the band and an opportunity to leave all the things that were dragging us down behind and push forward with a new vision.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Tricky question but I’ll try and split it into two answers. I find it pretty easy to get bummed out about being in a band, sometimes I’ll play a set where I end up being really disappointed in myself because I wasn’t performing at the level I want to be and it can be super frustrating, but then I’ll watch videos of the set and see all of our friends and people at our shows losing their minds and having fun and it really levels me out. In such a short time I’ve gotten to make so many new friends, meet so many cool people and travel Australia with my best friends which is undoubtedly the best thing about making music.
Musically I’m constantly inspired by all of my favourite bands, lyrically I’m super inspired by Daryl Palumbo from Glassjaw and Keith Buckley from Every Time I Die. I spent a lot of time as a teenager listening to those bands, reading their lyrics and wishing that I could be them and now I’m able to have the opportunity to hone my craft and write and perform lyrics that I’m really proud of, albeit on a much smaller level.
What can punters expect from a Cast Down show?
I think we bring a lot of energy to the table. I’m not interested in being a perfectionist band because the live music world is so different to the studio, I’ve always wanted people to think of us as a band with constant activity where nobody stands still and we’re consistently engaging with the audience. I feel pretty confident in saying you can expect to see mic grabs, spin kicks, headbanging and people throwing fists.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
Not sure it directly counts as advice as it wasn’t directed at me but there’s a book called ‘Lynch On Lynch’, which is a book full of interviews with the director David Lynch. I can’t remember the exact quote but there’s a big section about how when he was making art he would only visualise himself in the role with the idea that it makes it a complete extension of himself. When I previously mentioned some of my favourite vocalists and the fact that I spent a lot of time wishing I was them, I found myself writing lyrics and performing live and wondering “would they be happy with these lyrics?”, “would they perform like this?” and that whole idea that Lynch was talking about really helped me disassociate my art with somebody else and make it an extension of me instead, harnessing my flaws and my talents.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
The Veronicas with 'Untouched'. I legitimately struggle to think of a single scenario that isn’t made better by that song.
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
Slim Dusty with 'A Pub With No Beer'. Obvious reasons.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Hilltop Hoods with 'The Nosebleed Section'. Instant boogie maker the second it comes on.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
The last one that I didn’t play would’ve been Invasion Fest 2017. That was a mad time and it is every year because so many bands and people from the heavy music scene across Australia all come to Melbourne for the weekend to watch a bunch of sick bands. Our friends in Honest Crooks put on one of the toughest sets I’ve ever seen and I got to see one of my favourite international bands The Acacia Strain for the first time in a few years too.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Melbourne music community that inspire you.
King Parrot and Pagan are at the top of my list for Melbourne bands that inspire me for sure. I don’t know any of King Parrot personally but from an outsider's perspective, it seems like they’re just making the music they want to hear and having loads of fun doing it. It’s so cool to see how well they do overseas and it’s very inspiring. I also absolutely sweat the band Pagan from Melbourne who are super unique and just the coolest band ever. Every time I’ve seen them live they look like they’re having the best time and I’m so excited for their new music.
What are your plans for 2018?
We’re playing Download Fest this Saturday then we’re on tour with Honest Crooks, Apate and Underminer throughout April. Our debut EP and much more touring will follow suit.
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Meet the artist making some seriously clever and next level hip hop, Kwame. He's this week's Feature Artist on triple j Unearthed.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
I feel like my music takes listeners on a journey through the many experiences that I've been and continue to go through. I'm always experimenting with the type of music that I'm making and a part of my sound development has come through my production. When I started making music I told myself that if I had to learn production. And that was because I had all these ideas in my head that only I would be able to translate.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Man, I'm only inspired by anything and everything, sometimes I'll be walking down the street and I'm hearing birds chirp and for someone reason that is so dope that I have to hop into the studio get on my laptop and just make a beat from that, haha. At our studio, I'm surrounded by a lot of like-minded creatives from different fields within the creative arts and we're always bouncing around ideas which generates a lot of inspiration and creativity. It's a must to surround yourself with people that motivate and push you to be your best every day.
What can punters expect from a KWAME live show?
Fans can always expect nothing but energy at my shows! Through my setlist, I like to take fans on a journey of emotions through the music to create an experience, a story, something for them to take and walk away with.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
The best advice I was given was from my brother Domba. He said, "the only reward you receive from conforming is everyone liking you, but yourself."
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
Raj Mahal with 'It's Fine'. When I'm feeling down I like to listening to that song as it helps be reassure that things really will be fine and to never let negativity get the best of you.
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
Phil Fresh with 'Don't Let Me Go'. Honestly his EP 'Excursions of Love' takes you through such an amazing
journey. The title speaks for itself.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Woah, okay cool. The party is pumping everyone's jumping, I'm scrolling through Serato looking for a track to take this party to the next level and yep, there it is, Touch Sensitive with 'Lay Down'.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
Last local gig I attended was Midas. Gold's at The Chippo Hotel, it was a nice intimate gig! It was the day 'WOW' came out and he brought me up on stage to perform it, shout out Midas!
Tell us about the bands or people in the Sydney music community that inspire you.
Artists such as Mel Bailey, Kymie, Phil Fresh and Raj Mahal inspire me the most in Sydney! They're all so different and bring something unique towards the Sydney music community which stands out the most for me!
What are your plans for 2018?
More music, more shows, more content, more videos, more designs honestly everything we going in this year!
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Meet the sister-duo you just have to hear! It's this week's Feature Artist, CLEWS.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
We had a very musical upbringing and listened to a lot of harmony-driven bands like The Beatles and Crowded House. This instilled in us a love for classic songwriting and we try to create a sound that pairs ‘90s influenced production with big melodies.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Mostly it’s other people making music, and that intense thrill you get from seeing a great live band. We went to a gig at the Enmore a little while ago and Grace literally started crying because a sax solo was just so good and she couldn’t handle it. That is the feeling that makes us want to play more and write more.
What can punters expect from a CLEWS live show?
Harmonies, matching haircuts and crunchy guitars.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
We actually live by a lot of great advice. Dad says, "fulfil your own promises" and Mum says "hey, what’s the worst that can happen?". Also, in regards to boyfriends becoming husbands, our Nan always said try before you buy.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'Cholesterol Heart (God Bless Ya)' by These New South Whales.
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
'To Think That I Once Loved' You by The Drones.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'Go Bang' by PNAU.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
We caught our good mates Harley Mavis and H. Fanning and The Seagulls play back to back the other night, two birds with one stone if you will. It was a lovely evening and both sang with poise and grace.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Sydney music community that inspire you.
We wish we could play guitar like Elizabeth Fader, we saw her with her full band recently and it was so impressive that Lily’s soul left her body for a moment. We also love the live show that the boys from PLANET put on and we’re very inspired by RACKETT’S DIY ethos.
What are your plans for 2018?
We have a really great team around us now, so this year we’ll be releasing more music and playing some cracking shows.
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Meet G Flip...the drummer-turned-solo-star who blew up Unearthed. Listen to her brand new single 'Above You' here.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
I literally sat in my room with my broken heart, my instruments and created every day. I stopped listening to other people’s music, which in turn helped me develop my sound. (I even disabled my car radio, so I would sing to myself lol). Because if I’m listening to jazz I’ll write a jazz tune, if I’m listening to rock, I’ll write a rock tune. I didn’t want to be influenced by what I was listening to at the time so I cut out listening to other peoples tunes. Drums are my first instrument so I think a lot of my melody ideas are based around rhythm. But I didn’t overthink the writing process too much. I didn’t think; what will people think of these lyrics? Will people like this? I did what I thought was dope and rolled with it.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Girls. They destroy me and I write songs about it. Also Jenny my drum teacher. If you took her out of this maze of life I have, I wouldn’t be here writing this right now.
What can punters expect from a G Flip live show?
I’ve always been the drummer, I’ve never had the chance to put my own show together and to be honest I have been dreaming of the day for a very long time. I want to do things a little different for sureeeee. You know when you’re at a gig and need to pee so bad so you wait for a low-key moment in the set to run off? I don’t want there to be a low-key moment in my set. I want everyone to piss their pants cause they don’t want to miss a single moment haha... that’s my goal. Also, my drum kit is alive. It’s something you have to see to believe. My mate Pete and I built him.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
The best advice I was given was actually people telling me I can’t do things because that makes me really really wanna do things haha.You can’t play drums cause you’re a girl. NAHHH MATE. You can’t produce cause you’re not a producer... ILL GIVE IT A CRACK. No rules, no worries.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'Don’t Worry About Nothin’ by Muph and Plutonic. TUNEEEEE
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
“Blood” Like a version by Gang of Youths. That s*** was legit AMAZING. Cried instantly.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Absolutely Everybody by Venessa Amarosi. Such a banger. The film clips hilarious as well. She sings in front of a hammock, leans on trees and throws a LIT party at someone else’s house where they all awkwardly clap together. TUNE.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
I went to a live RnB night in St.Kilda called RNBabe. It’s dope. I get down. The musicians who perform are amazing.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Melbourne music community that inspire you.
Gotta say the crew behind “Baked Goods” are a bunch of passionate local music fans trying to help local artists get video footage to help their careers. They are the most driven bunch of people.
What are your plans for 2018?
Release more of my music and fingers crossed I get to play at an Aussie festival. That would be crazy COOL!! WOO!!
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They've got a brand new single and a must-see live show... It's this week's Feature Artist and Sydney City Limits comp winners, Pist Idiots!
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
We sort of just feed off each other and try and find a balance between not taking it too seriously and making some good music. If we think it sounds good, fun to play and exciting, we’ll keep playing it. Being constantly around music and gigs, it all feeds back into itself.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Inspiration often comes out of the blue, but usually some kind of experience or observation. Something that nags you for a while until you just have to get it out.
What can punters expect from a Pist Idiots live show?
Live Rock Music, 110%, a couple laughs, sweat, spit and love.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
"Don’t be a di**head", from Dingo.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'Rain' by Dragon.
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
'Flame Trees' by Cold Chisel “ or a modern day banger like 'Million Times Alone' by Bad Dreems.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'Boys Light Up' or some Kylie Minogue.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
Amyl and the Sniffers at The Lansdowne, These New South Wales were our support acts. An electric evening, pure energy with some of the finest Australian rock music going.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Sydney music community that inspire you.
Bands like Royal Headache and Palms are pretty inspiring to us. In our formative years, Palms had a residency at the Lansdowne and as a bunch 18-year-olds, those strings of shows would’ve been our introduction into Sydney rock music. Since the Lansdowne has re-opened I feel that there has been a bit of rejuvenation in support for local music. I can only really comment from around 2013, but I feel it’s improved.
I think that the Sydney community extends into the North and Southern regions of Sydney. Bands like The Pinheads and a venue like Rad Bar in the gong, were some of the first people to give us the time of day. For that, we luvem!
What are your plans for 2018?
More Music, more shows, more fun stuff.
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Meet this week's Feature Artist, EILISH GILLIGAN. She's just dropped perhaps the best pop track of 2018 so far!
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
I feel like my sound is still evolving and that maybe it’ll never stop evolving…and maybe I don’t want it to, either. It’s important to me to seek out something innovative, while still embracing the conventions of modern pop music, because pop music is my one true love!! I think I make Pop music, but Pop music that’s been like... plucked off the rings of Saturn, or dredged up from the bottom of the ocean. There’s something alien and spooky about it that I can’t stop chasing.
What's your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Deeply human feelings and behaviour is the thing that truly inspires me to create, I think. I also love when those perfect poetic moments occur in real life - those things you could never dream of writing, but somehow the universe gifts them to you and it’s impossible not to frame them in a song. Like last year I was in America and I’d just said goodbye to someone I loved very much, and sitting in the back of an Uber, crying as though I was in a music video, Kissing Families by Silversun Pickups came on and it was just…perfect. It was so human and so miserable and I couldn’t believe my luck (lol).
What can punters expect from an EILISH GILLIGAN live show?
I think I put on a good show. It’s important to me to produce a true *performance* in every sense of the word. I love the drama involved in being onstage. I think if I’d had any tangible talent in the area I’d probably have gravitated towards acting. If I hadn’t been a musician. I’m really inspired by tearjerker films and also by the drag community. I think Lady Gaga said once “those women taught me how to serve,” which is the truest goddamn thing on this planet.
What's the best advice you've been given and who was it from?
There have been two instances where some extraordinarily pertinent advice has been given to me at exactly the right time. The first was from my wonderfully honest friend who, after patiently witnessing me bawl my eyes out on her hotel bed in Austin because I didn’t have the slightest idea where my sorry life was headed, said “You gotta do your own thing.” And I did. And she was right. The second bit of advice was from my Dad, who recently looked me straight in the eye and said “You must stop worrying. It’s going to kill you if you don’t,” and that scared me so much I must say I have really cut down on the worrying…
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'Say Yes To Life' by Gang of Youths. This has worked for me approximately one trillion times. Also 'Better' by Mallrat.
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
OK, this is definitely my forte. I think right now it’s a tie between 'Turning To White' by New Gods and 'Idiot Oracle' by Paul Dempsey. Both lyrically unbelievable and so so so miserable. Both superb!!
You're the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'Get Me A Drink' by Alice Ivy, E^ST, Charlie Threads. Have you ever heard anything as unhingedly glorious as this song?!
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
The last one I can really remember was the Ceres Christmas show in December. It was my first time seeing Ceres live and it changed everything. I couldn’t believe the songs I had held so close to me so privately for so long meant so much to so many people in the same room!!
Tell us about the bands or people in the music community that inspire you.
I’m really inspired by kindness, honesty and work ethic in this industry. I really look up to people like HTMLflowers, Gordi and Mallrat. They all exude a wonderful sense of pride in their work and a generous, positive attitude towards friends and colleagues and I just think they’re great.
What are your plans for 2018?
Write heaps, hopefully play many shows, and embrace whatever it means to be completely vulnerably human as much and as often as possible.
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Q&A
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
My sound is definitely a direct reflection of what I have been exposed to musically and where I am from , growing up in Zimbabwe, having family in the UK and now Australia , I am a product of my environment , I guess you could say my music is like a nice bowl of gumbo. You going to get all type of different flavors and ingredients.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
I am inspired by all types of music in general , I really don't believe there is anything obetter than being exposed to different sounds and new artists from different walks of life. I have been exposed to different cultures and different sonics and through my different pit stops around the world I have been able to use my experiences and incorporate that into my music.
What can punters expect from a T$oko live show?
good vibes , good feels , loads of energy and we try and keep it real live. If you didn't know who i was before i hit the stage. I definitely wanna make sure u had a blast and know who i am once my set is finished. Or at least have you asking the next person who that was or where you can find the music.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
"Later is always greater and its not a race its a marathon." Anonymous Sometimes people like to fast track there success and they get caught up in the hype. They are here one minute and gone the next because they never really had to put in the work or work at their craft. I have enjoyed the ride so far , and appreciate everyone who has even taken the time out to show a interest to this point
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
Ooh thats a tough one, I would either have to say Bernard Fanning - Wish you well. or possibly Better - John Butler trio. That being said i think ill have to go with the home team , shoutout to John butler and the whole fremantle maaan!
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
I'm sure. I'm sure.. Another tough one besides Ta-ku feat JMSN x Sango - Love Again. I will go with Tear us apart - INXS , i think their catalogue was some of the first music from an Australian act i really became aware of while i was still growing up overseas . The raw emotion that pours through the track and Michael Hutchence's lyrics are really something. Outside of the success they had on a pop level, I really believe Michael Hutchence is underrated as a song writer. lol
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Depends what type of setting I would be spinning in. If it was a throwback set i would probably go INXS - New sensation. If it was pub flows I would do Darryl Braithwaite - Horses. And if its a new age set either One Day - Not Many (Like A Version) or DZ Deathrays - Gina Works At Hearts. My crates run deep , i am sure i would have something for whatever the occasion called for. haha .. Mixmaster Soko got you. lmao
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
Ecca Vandal. Me and the band Foam were handling supports. Amazing gig. Such a vibe and a blend of genres. My kind of gig:)
Tell us about the bands or people in the Perth music community that inspire you.-
Being based in Fremantle , I tend to soak up a lot of whats going on around me. Its such a melting pot when it comes to culture and music definitely Tame impala and all the other artists from Perth that have come out and done great things just to name a few.
Ta-ku
Pendulum
John Butler Trio
AC/DC
I also cant forget my brothers from Tone Youth Collective who I work with. We always try to push each other and everyone brings they own twist to the table.
What are your plans for 2017?
Just keep introducing to people who i am as a artist and what my music is all about. I have got some pretty cool stuff coming up that ill be dropping real soon. I feel like people still haven't seen everything i can offer from a artist standpoint so that's exciting for me. I don't want to say I have been holding back but there certain bits n pieces of music which i have held back that may surprise some people so I am excited to share what I have been cooking up. Also excited to drop some new music with my squad Tone Youth , I feel like we have a good chance to really show everyone what Perth has to offer and rep the 6k in the right way. Salute to everyone who has paved the way thus far. Also look forward to playing some shows and releasing some collabs with some special people. Stay tuned.
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Exhibitionist is this week's triple j Unearthed Feature Artist! Click on her name above to read the interview.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
My music is fairly minimal. I try to make every sound and melody I use matter, so sometimes it's an exercise in what not to include on the tracks. Lyrically, it's all super personal and the songs are a little bit sensual, I suppose. When I'm writing I play around with lots of old synth libraries and make samples from scratch using voice, woodwind instruments and strings and then get my mate Jono Boulet to help out with drums and production.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
My friends and just general life experiences. I have found writing Exhibitionist songs to be almost meditative. I can focus on a relationship or experience I've had and really dive into how it made me feel, or how I can do better next time. It's quite therapeutic.
What can punters expect from an Exhibitionist live show?
Punters can expect a full band show. I decided at the start of the project that I just wanted to sing on stage, and as an instrumentalist I didn't want to rely on backing tracks, so I asked some very talented friends if they'd like to play with me. It's great sharing the stage with them, and we've become a family unit now. There's also a movement element to the show, and if you're lucky you'll get to see Brianna Kell (dancer/choreographer) in action onstage with us. I love collaborating with Bri, she's an extraordinary creative muse.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
My friend Dan who used to play in Parades is full of good advice, but lately always reminds me to keep creating for myself. Because that way there will always be personal success in anything I do, and something to be proud of. Pretty wise guy, actually.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'Rainbow Kraut' - The John Steel Singers (it's impossible not to boogie to this song)
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
'Everything's Fucked' - The Dirty Three
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'Lay Down' - Touch Sensitive
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
I went to Bad Day Out last weekend and saw Brightness, Wolf and Cub, Sunscreen and Bin Juice amongst others. It was hot, heaving with people but with a really lovely community vibe. There are good things happening in Sydney music at the moment!
Tell us about the bands or people in the Sydney music community that inspire you.
This month I've been really inspired by the work of Girls Rock Sydney. The women involved in camp this year largely play in DIY bands in Sydney and are implementing really positive change for our young, non-male identifying youth. I went to the camp showcase this month and seeing girls get up and play music so confidently and in such a supportive environment made me emotional. We need to support these kinds of organisations so that our music scene becomes more diverse and equal.
What are your plans for 2018?
I'm so excited for this year! I'm doing heaps of writing and recording, so there'll be lots of new Exhibitionist tracks for your ears soon, and I'll be playing live a lot more too.
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Paradise Club are this week's Feature Artist on triple j Unearthed!
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
Each of us have distinct and broad musical influences. We've found where the overlap is and have only really just begun to explore what that could become. We understand and respect each other's opinions and all ideas are equally valued.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
We're all sentient beings floating through space, trying to find meaning in our lives as it drifts across our consciousness. Music is part of that.
What can punters expect from a Paradise Club live show?
You will be welcomed to our club.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
quality. consistently. over time.
- some guy on a random podcast on how to get loaded
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
Streets of Your Town - The Go-Betweens
rip Grant McLennan
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
Are you gonna be my girl - Jet
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Great Southern Land - Icehouse
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
a lil something called SWIRL FEST. Sweater curse x Siamese i heard that was off tap
Tell us about the bands or people in the Adelaide music community that inspire you.
All our immediate friends in bands who contribute sincere and honest music that they love and believe in.
What are your plans for 2018?
Releasing a stack of music, playing plenty of shows, riding the tumultuous wave of an up and coming band in Australia.
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Sophiegrophy is this week's triple j Unearthed Feature Artist!
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
My music is about positive vibes and appreciating and understanding yourself. I developed my sound by discovering who I was and wanted to be as an artist. Understanding who i was as an artist helped create my sense of style and my own unique sound.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
My greatest source of inspiration for my music is my family
What can punters expect from a Sophiegrophy live show?
A fun and inspiring show that isn’t about the segregation between the artist on stage and the audience watching but rather a show as a whole and everyone coming together
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
My Mum, she always tells me to treat everybody with one heart.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
IM THE REALI$T
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
Let you down Peking duk
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Air wolf ‘Blazin’
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
Fomo Festival, it was absolutely amazing
Tell us about the bands or people in the Melbourne music community that inspire you.
Every artist in Melbourne and the whole of Australia is an inspiration.
What are your plans for 2017?
My plans for 2017 to release more music
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Get to know our UNIFY comp winners, DREGG.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
I guess we just jammed out and talked about what we wanted to create and came to a conclusion after trialling a bunch of different styles!
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
The power of creativity. Knowing every time we sit down to write, that it's possible for us to create something completely new.
What can punters expect from a DREGG live show?
Something you've never seen before. It's funny, it's serious, it's dark, it's light-hearted. It's a bit of everything. We're there to entertain mentally, musically and visually.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
I'm a barber and when I was an apprentice at Culture Kings I was lucky enough to give the Aussie rapper 360 a haircut. I'll never forget him telling me how things didn't start happening for him until he learned to enjoy every success, whether it be small or huge.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'Be Like You' by Esoterik.
What Australian track would you play someone to make them cry?
'Tiny Angel' by 360.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'Fire' by Ivan Ooze.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
Invasion Fest, it was awesome! A whole bunch of homies were playing and it just had the best vibe.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Melbourne music community that inspire you.
I'd say it's the scene as a whole. I only moved to Melbourne 3 years ago and one thing I've really noticed here is how all the different music scenes get along. It's dope!
What are your plans for 2018?
Hopefully a bunch of tours! We haven't toured off our new release yet so it would be awesome to get out there and take these songs on the road. Would love to get another song or 2 out as well!
Get to know your Byran Bay Falls Festival Winners, BUGS. Expect nothing less than sweaty torsos, mops of hair flying around and a whole tonne of bad puns at their live show!
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
I used to record tonnes of distorted demos on my laptop and that's how the project came about. A few singles got picked up for radio play, The band got offered live shows and support slots and it all just went from there. Over the last few years since Brock and Jordan joined, our songwriting process totally evolved. After playing together for so long, our sound is just naturally super different from all the years making bedroom trash. We practice pretty regularly and naturally have honed our collective ideas for what we want our band and music to be since becoming so close. As we are great mates, we are all generally on the same page so it makes for a fun and easy creative process.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Music has always been a great processing mechanism for me. I’m a huge over thinker and tend to be pretty observant which is where a lot of the socially topical content for our songs comes from. Whenever I can’t understand something I have felt or experienced it helps to process that confusion by writing it out so it doesn’t just swirl around inside my head forever. Making music gives me that ability to become more self-aware by questioning thought whilst simultaneously expressing my creative, instinctive passion. I guess after all that the ultimate inspiration is the opportunity to connect with other people who might think in a similar way and understand what you are trying to say. The world can feel like a huge and lonely place, so I think it’s important to feel a sense of community in whatever capacity possible. When you connect with other people over music, it is amazing, so I guess our songs are like our own little message sent out into the airwaves trying to reach people who will understand. Hopefully, it feels like a big warm hug from a mate you haven’t seen in a while.
What can punters expect from a Bugs live show?
Jordan's sweaty torso, my mop of hair flying around, a whole tonne of bad puns and knee slides. We just really like to create a bit of a house party kind of feeling in the room we play in. It’s always important to establish the necessity for respect and a safe space in the venue we play in though. It’s a funny catch 22 and a fine line between getting wild and being an over-assertive, aggressive night ruiner. Oh, and maybe a kiss or two.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
I think it’s the cliche of not being so hard on yourself. My mother, girlfriend and mates always try to reinforce a firm belief in myself. It’s easy to self-impose pressure when you work hard and desperately want to achieve something, but if by doing that you’re making yourself miserable it generally defeats the purpose of doing it at all. I can be a pretty intensely analytical thinker so I guess it’s important to steer that in positive directions and harness the power of it for progression, and it’s even more important to stay calm and relax when you start getting overwhelmed. I make terrible choices when I’m stressing out, so the most important piece of advice to remember for me are to chill and go with the flow. I think that goes hand in hand with a deep-rooted self-confidence, one I am yet to find.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
Probably 'Young Drunk' by The Smiths, an infectiously cathartic anthem from my youth. Or 'Never Had So Much Fun' by Frenzal!
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
'Blood' by The Middle East gets me every damn time. It hits home super hard.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Either ‘Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again’ by The Angels or ‘Whats My Scene’ by Hoodoo Gurus. Straight up. Pub bangers. I am such a proud bogan.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
We played with British India a few weekends ago at The Triffid and they absolutely blew the roof off. It was surreal to stand side of the stage and watch some of our heroes belt out tunes that soundtracked my youth and teens. The guys were super nice and we knew the other support band Eliza & The Delusionals who are super cool people too. I ran some chips out on stage cause they shouted me a free burger earlier but it hadn’t come by the time they started playing.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Brisbane music community that inspire you.
Brisbane is way too great to list all the awesome people who make it such a vibrant community. The Violent Soho guys are like royalty. Artists like Good Boy and Waax are really inspiring. It has been remarkable to watch brilliant and considerate people do incredible things this year. Jeremy Neale has been an enormous influence for me personally. The amount of carefully thought out advice, compassion and time he has afforded me since starting this band has been overwhelming. Our manager Ruby and booker Dom are like family. The venue managers and booking agents around town are invaluable and it breeds this sense of welcoming and teamwork that is conducive to shared success and makes for some ripping memes by Cael (Valley Ledge). Also, not to take away from the punters and gig patrons (one of which is myself). The frequency with which you will see full rooms in multiple venues on any given night in the valley is heartwarming. People care about and feel really connected to the music community here, because the equality and serenity in lack of competition breed a really positive connected industry.
What are your plans for 2018?
Opening Falls on New Years Day is certainly the brightest beacon on the calendar, but we’re barrelling into a busy month in Jan. We have a show with our good pals The Hard Aches at Black Bear Lodge on the 19th so that should be super fun. It’s really close to selling out already and the guys are absolute legends so it will be awesome to catch up and return the favour of a couch to crash on. Then we have a single coming out just before we play Brisbane's ‘Mountain Goat Valley Crawl’ festival in early Feb. Personally, I am so dang excited to get this next tune out, we have about 6 ready to go for an EP shortly after but we’re just tying up all the loose ends to make sure the release reaches its full potential. Valley Crawl is this amazing multi-venue night that always has the punters going wild and we’re stoked to have a nice late spot at the Foundry which should get pretttttty dang juicy to say the least.
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Get to know your Marion Bay Falls Festival winners, A.Swayze & The Ghosts. Taking garage punk to a whole new level, their live show is a must-see of energy, chaos and a whole lot of fun.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
We started writing together in our share house about three years ago in a cramped messy bedroom occupied by the most eclectic assortment of items. Initially, we had altered our sound with guitar pedals and even had a Roland Space Echo to run our vocals through. The trouble was, we (I) always seemed to lose our gear – in pubs or the messy bed/studio/rehearsal room – so in turn, we were forced to use less and less equipment. Our songwriting quickly became about plugging in and just going for it relentlessly, and now I think we owe a portion of how we now sound live and recorded to a forced appreciation of the minimal.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
We all bounce off each other with such energy when we plug in our instruments. From the get-go, there are ideas flying back and forth around the room and suddenly we’re completely engrossed in writing a song or something. Each of us seems to share a long-standing “addiction” of sorts to writing and performing songs. Constantly thinking about creating music, definitely helps with turning everyday encounters into inspiration for the songs we write.
What can punters expect from an A. Swayze & The Ghosts live show?
There will be a ‘soup’ of beer, sweat and sometimes blood on the stage by the end of a set, which always seems vulgar in hindsight, but it’s all just the bi-product of the high we chase from gigging. We started off as a trashy unrehearsed band and would often not make it through a set without some self-inflicted catastrophe. Nowadays the trashiness has (kind of) faded, we have more spatial awareness, and we know our songs, but the chaotic energy has remained the same.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
“Invest in Bitcoin.” – Hendrik Wipprecht (2012).
Great advice, although I never heeded. The power of hindsight is amazing.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
I honestly don’t have an answer.
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
Sadistically? Well if they were a Bowie fan, Gang of Youths’ cover of ‘Heroes’.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Yothu Yindi –'Treaty'. I’ve always loved the remix by Filthy Lucre, even as a child I had the single and would thump around to it in my bedroom.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
We were fortunate enough to get the local support for Total Control when they came to Hobart with Terry. It was a gig we wouldn’t have missed if we hadn’t been playing, as we’re all long-time fans of TC. It was at The Brisbane Hotel, which for us, is a familiar and iconic music venue in Hobart. The room was packed with a hoard of drunk punters all anxious for the music, the whole vibe of the place was warming. The thing that makes a great local gig is the energy and excitement the folks of Hobart bring, I love it. And of course, TC were amazing.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Tasmanian music community that inspire you.
We’ve had the support of so many outstanding people in the Tasmanian music scene: makers of music, publishers, and listeners alike. The community down here is not like any other major city we’ve spent time in, given the fact that everyone knows each other here - musical genres and cliques aside. Probably due to the population size and limited venues, bands from various ‘scenes’ play with one another and there are never enough punters involved for a specific ‘trend’ – which is very encouraging for honest creation.
To name a few of these people and bands: Julian Teakle, Adam McGregor, Nick White, Gibbo and Casey (The Brisbane), Juniper (The Grand Poobah), Peter Macpherson, RBP, Heart Beach, Violet Swells, Lake Myer, Powernap, Future Envy, The Know Nothings/Dangerous Game, Blackhole Sugar.
All great people doing massive things for the music community in Hobart.
What’s the plan for the rest of 2017 and next year in 2018?
It’s clear that 2017 is going to close with us sleeping in tents at The Falls Festival in Marion Bay, as we will be gracing the stage there on New Year’s Eve. We’ve all been busy writing in our spare time and now that our EP release/tour has wound up we’ll start spending more of our days putting new songs together.
Recently we started construction on our own studio in a shared warehouse with some visual/sound artist mates of ours. Zac (drums) and Ben (bass) are both pretty involved with production down here, and we wanted a space of our own to get busy in, so this studio is both exciting and convenient.
Other than that, we have a bunch of interstate shows lined up for 2018, so people keep your ears and eyes out for an A. Swayze show near you!
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Queen of pop beats, sass and a whole lot of fun is Sydney artist and this week's Feature Artist, MUKI!
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
I have always had a fascination with Spice Girls and J Pop artists, and I would chat to Phebe Starr and Aaron Reyes (my producer for this EP) about the kind of sounds we would use. They both came across Sophie at SXSW and they introduced me to PC music. I fell in love instantly with the production. Aaron came out from the States for 2 weeks and we locked ourselves in my studio and wrote the whole EP!
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
At the moment I am fascinated by interesting production. I think it’s such a great time in music. I am given the freedom to say whatever the f*** I want. I use my songs to communicate what I want to the people who have underestimated me.
What can punters expect from a MUKI live show?
It’s like Spice Girls meets trap, except there aren't 5 girls, it's just me and my curly haired MD doing synchronised dance moves.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
Phebe Starr said to me the other day, "nothing comes for free" and that's a pretty good life motto. Nothing in the music industry is perfect, so you have to just take it as it comes. Work hard, know why you are doing it and stay true to who you are.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
Mallrat with 'Better'. She is such a queen!
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
Basenji with 'Mistakes' (ft. Tkay Maidza). It's such a good tune. It makes me a cry a little about how good it is. Tkay’s vocals are fire on this track.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
Sneaky Sound System with 'Pictures'.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
I saw Oh Boy the other week and it was rad. He has cool hair and I love what he is doing with his production.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Sydney music community that inspire you!
The Sydney music scene has such a cool vibe right now and I have some amazing friends that are doing a cool hustle. I am inspired by Phebe Starr, ASTA, OH BOY, Basenji, DONATACHI, Cosmos Midnight and Nina Las Vegas. I love them all!
What are your plans for 2018?
I am dropping an EP early next year. I also have some collaborations coming out and I am planning a writing trip to the States.
When we think about the future of heavy music, we’re thinking about Melbourne five-piece Thornhill. They’re making thunderous, melodic and powerful music that you just have to hear! This is just the beginning.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
We intentionally listen to genres that are very left of field to our music and pull influence from as many different artists as we can in our respective fields in the band. We are still developing our sound and moulding as a group, so we have a lot of room to grow for the future music.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
Being really close as actual friends rather than colleagues has helped a lot more than you'd think. You just generally enjoy the time and effort you put into the material and writing as it doesn’t feel like a job at any point.
What can punters expect from a Thornhill live show?
Just 5 average and uncoordinated blokes having fun.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
"Write stuff that you want to play. Don’t feel like you have to write to please others". By Sam Bassal.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'Quality Of Life' by Hellions.
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
'OK Cathedral' by Violent Soho.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'You’re the voice' by John Farnham.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
The last two gigs we saw were DZ Deathrays and The Pixies. Both were sick, so we can't choose. They are both bands that kill it live and it's always good to look for pointers from other artists in different genres, which is something we find very important.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Melbourne music community that inspire you.
Void Of Vision hands down, are our brother band. They have taken us under their wing from day one and taught us how to be a band. Those guys have just taken us on our very first tour and have shown us the ropes. Without these amazing bunch of bros we wouldn’t be half the band we are now. Also in our opinion, they are probably one of the best live bands in the scene. These dudes always put on a tight show.
What are your plans for 2018?
We are in the process of recording new music, so the main goal is to get that out and tour as much as possible and just have a good time while we are at it.
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Bringing together impressive beats, fierce energy and powerful lyrics is Canberra rapper KG. He's released some of the most stand out tracks of 2017 and we can't wait for the release of his debut album in 2018.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
My sound and style of hip-hop music is all about the flow and making sure my rhythms and bars are in harmony with the music. Over the past few years after travelling back to South Africa/Botswana and getting in touch with my roots, I I really wanted to add a cultural element to my music and have meaning in all my songs. I don’t just want to focus on Australia only, I wanna make a universal sound.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
The future generations.
What can punters expect from a KG live show?
Energy, passion & bars.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
When doing music, be authentic and be yourself (Omar Musa).
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'Juicy Juicy Green Grass' by Peter Combe. That song always makes laugh and sometimes when I DJ, I troll the crowd with it'.
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
'Tiny Angel' by 360.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'For Good' by Remi featuring Sampa The Great. The two of them on this track together and the soul and groove in this song is the perfect joint for any party.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
The last gig I caught was Amastro & Genisis Owusu in Canberra. It was crazy because it was like EDM lovers and hip-hop heads mixing together in one room and the vibe was so sick. It really proves that music has no genre when the music is dope.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Canberra music community that inspire you.
It’s cool what Peking Duk and Safia have done in making a name for themselves and putting Canberra artists on the map. It really shows all us Canberra cats that you can make it in music from anywhere.
What are your plans for the rest of 2017 and in 2018?
I have a few festivals coming up, starting with my single tour and then playing a few shows in Africa in January. Most of all, I'm mainly just hyped to drop my debut album in 2018.
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