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Where are you currently based?
Sydney, Australia
How did you first start playing music?
I first started recording rap demos of all my high school friends. People would find out that I did this and basically try to get me to record their shit too. I started sampling all the CDs I had at the time and building drum tracks and mixing with instrumental intros of songs. (like the “Horses” intro instrumental part over drum beats i’d make lol) It was really a guise to try and get my shit done too until i met a better producer.
What’s been happening recently and how has your Covid experience been?
Apart from being universally shitty, the silver lining for Covid shutting down gigs and venues is that we’ve had the time and capacity to get into the studio and create music. I don’t think people realise how much actual effort and energy gigging and being constantly out takes from you. With restrictions we’ve had the energy to stay in the studio and make music. Even the times when we are not in the studio just thinking about the project and pushing it, doing all the other things that go along with pushing an artist project. You never really have that when your focus is taken up by other things 24/ 7. We’ve basically thrown ourselves into creating. We’ve finished this EP and have the structure for the next one set out.
Your new EP ‘Big Mood’ will be out November 27, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
It’s us taking the energy of the 90s/2000s hip hop and R&b and making the stuff that feels good to us. It’s a nostalgic nod but an ever evolving thing too. As music makers first we really just wanted to make stuff that resonates and give us a good feeling. A ”big mood”.
How did you go about writing Big Mood?
St Christoph is the producer half who drives the production and beats, and we both go in together and build the rest. We look at this project as an outlet not only for us but for our growing little STCXSH community featuring other artists, songwriters and creatives. So it’s a collaborative effort. I don’t need to rap and sing every hook and verse. If we think something might sound good with another voice or texture we lean into that from our network. As i said leaning into that 90s/2000s energy we just wanted songs to stand alone and be a mood in itself. Which all turns into the “Big Mood” as a collection.
Topic wise were drawing from real life. If that’s a relationship it’s definitely something we’ve been through. If that’s talking about sitting on the sidelines waiting for a chance to do our thing that’s real. That’s been us our whole career even before this project. If you listen to the songs that just us and our personality dialed to 11. For example with our song WFT I think I had to rewrite the verses on that a few times because it got too real. I couldn’t listen to the song without taking me to a dark place so I had to change a whole chunk of it. As a writer it’s good therapy.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
St Christoph handles all the production in house. He’s really driving this sonically. He’s constantly putting together beat packs and then we both go in and see what resonates for both of us. See what beats move us and where we can take it. If we can catch a vibe on a song well chase it down a rabbit hole and see where we end up. Collaboration wise we’ve been leaning on our network. On this EP we’ve got a featured collab with Jade Alice but the collabs go deeper with contributors ranging from Voli K, to Maddy Rowe and True Vibenation.
We recorded, mixed and mastered all of this at our home at Studios 301. Mixing wise we’ve used St Christoph, Stefan Du Randt (Boomchild, Rissa) and Simon Cohen for some additional vocal production and mixing (Justin Beiber, Startley, Illy) Mastering we’ve got both the legend Leon Zervos and Ben Feggans on the finishing touches.
How did you approach the recording/production process?
What programs/equipment did you use?
What did you find most challenging and rewarding during the creation of Big Mood?
I think the most rewarding part is creating an extended body of work and being able to package that up. Not just focusing on one track and waiting to see if that hits before you roll into the next. Our label Be Rich have really given us the freedom to do that. That way we can basically be true to each song without trying to make them “everything in one” and force them to be something else. It’s like “hey were making a long form project” not just trying to ram everything into one song. It gives each song a chance to breathe. We’re here for the long run, not just a few singles.
The challenging part for me has been keeping up with everyone’s expectations (and mainly my own). I find it really intimidating sometimes if a hook and a super dope beat are there already there and people have high hopes for what’s coming next. (My parts lol) For instance Casual and WTF already had hooks on them before I started writing. I think everyone even wanted WTF to be a single without my verses even on it!!! So I’m like settle the fuck down guys. No pressure or anything lol
What do you like to do away from music?
Talk a whole bunch of shit, throw “shaade” at people, online shop for bargains and eat food with friends. We’ve both engineered our lives around music and the industry 24/7 so the “away from music” is a hard one. I think it’s to try and spend time with friends and fam and get grounded as much as possible.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Right now I’m listening to a whole bunch of old school garage music, some afrobeat and some old school hip hop shit. Some THEY., Jorja Smith, Tyler The Creator and some Drake. I’ve just started bumping Kanye – My Dark Twisted Fantasy again on the 10 year anniversary of it’s release.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2020 going into 2021?
After we drop BIG MOOD. I think we’re gonna get back into EP mode and try to finish the next and add some new songs so it’s a cohesive body of work. I’m already convinced that we have the songs (all finished in my head) but I have to convince everyone else. It’s gonna be more of evolving our sound and pushing the boundaries. We’ve got a whole new bunch of collaborators lined up. It’s really us leaning more into our community and making music with people we love and respect. This year was about building a solid foundation for us. Next year is about pushing those boundaries even more while doubling down on just making good songs.
Outside of STCXSH, we’ve been collaborating on projects for nearly 10 years together now, so I think we find common ground in making music that we want rather than appeasing certain people. I Feel we’re both positioned as underdogs no matter how long we’ve been doing this or whatever the project so we just want to make good music we love. I’m not sure how that goes down sometimes but it makes my soul happy.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
If you watch our videos or are following on IG you know we aren’t shy about eating hahah. I think I associate sharing a meal with someone as a form of endearment and love. If you like someone you eat with them! Burgers, fast food and hangs is the vibe. It’s a tradition that when our team is around we do burgers, shakes and hangs. Usually uber eats to wherever we are or the studio. The Newmarket Hotel/ Manhattan Super Bowl is our local hang near the studio. We’re also hanging out to get to Peanut Butter Bar in Leichhardt as well with the crew. We got offered a year’s supply of tacos from El Sol Mexican in Cronulla so we gotta hit that soon too. Philly Up food truck is a big mood we’ve frequented as well.
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The first single from ANTY’s debut album, ‘Rudeboy’ is out now and pre-orders are live . You can check it out on your favourite streaming platform here: https://ditto.fm/one-
You can investigate the most excellent vinyl pre-order packs at Artist First here: https://artistfirst.com.
Rolling Stone Australia on One Step Forward (Two Back) – “Anty is almost paradoxically at his best, providing a message of hope as he performs the track, gearing fans up for one of the most concentrated releases of his entire career.”
“This is reggae hip hop and it’s out of control,” Anty sings, two minutes into Rudeboy, his debut album.
A sound only briefly alluded to in his previous works, Rudeboy is boldly unique from start to finish. Drawing from the innovative reggae sounds of Jamaican producer Mikey Dread to the stream of consciousness poetry of The Streets, Mike Skinner, Rudeboy wouldn’t be out of place in a dive bar or a dance hall.
Having travelled the world, released four full-length albums and played countless major festivals fronting The Bennies. Anty has used the break of 2020 to hone his craft and deliver an unbelievably accomplished debut solo LP.
Lyrically, the album is positively party and just what the world needs in 2020. No regrets and living in the moment. “Rules are rules, they are meant to be broken,” he sings on Officer, in what is an apt description to his mash up approach to music making.
At 16 tracks in total, and almost as many genres, Rudeboy is out December 11th on Melbourne label Disdain Records.
Anty
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Disdain Records:
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Instagram @disdainrecords666
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Today, Melbourne rock band Terra drop a video for their new single Frenemies.
Frenemies, the new single from Terra, is a culmination of experiences musically and personally the band have gone through the past few years with the result being without doubt their catchiest and strongest song the band have written to date. Frenemies combines up-tempo rock with mature dynamics while allowing Cassie’s vocals to shine through like never before.
“The essence of Frenemies lies in the feeling of being betrayed by someone you trust, and let close to you. It unearths all the rage and pain that we sometimes bury to save face. Frenemies is the clear message that you’ve hurt me and I’m not going to pretend I’m okay with it anymore” – TERRA
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Rounding out a breakthrough year, Sydney duo St. Christoph & Shaade are set to release their debut EP titled Big Mood on Friday 27th November 2020. Oozing with class over groovy melodies and smooth vocals, the Big Mood EP consists of 5 tracks including previously released beachside boppers California, Callin’ and Casual supported by global tastemakers including, BBC Radio 1, Triple J, This Song Is Sick, Bristol Funk and more.
The focal track WTF featuring Melbourne electro-pop songstress / producer Jade Alice is the moody, throwback hip hop tune that bolsters the sun-flecked, good-time vibes of the beginning of the collection; adding soul and their trademark funk to a relatable message. So What follows and concludes the EP with a unique flow and classic St Christoph & Shaade panache.
St. Christoph & Shaade – Big Mood will be available on all streaming platforms worldwide on Friday 27th November 2020.
Biography:
Evolving beyond the neighbourhood cool kids into connoisseurs of funk, throwback hip hop and new jack swing, Sydney duo St. Christoph + Shaade prove that their penchant for the soulful is exactly what the world needs right now.
With support from audiences and industry including the notorious tastemakers of Triple J, St. Christoph + Shaade’s blend of groovy melodies and smooth vocals, constructed with panache and production prowess will have you dancing all the way to your nearest white sand beach lined with palm trees and seaside bars.
Combining the elements of à la mode creatives Anderson.Paak and Thundercat, with instantly recognisable influences from genre innovators De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest, the duo are steadily growing their influence, sharing their sun-flecked good-vibes nationally and internationally.
With an incoming collection of tunes making up the duo’s debut EP, set for release in November 2020, the sky is truly the limit for St. Christoph + Shaade.
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Alex Moore, lead singer and songwriter, said: “What we know about football can be written on the back of a postage stamp, but we’ve learned that it means community, shared history, family and hope. The band and I are blown away that over £4,000 can now go towards ensuring fans can believe in a future for the club and the Community Trust gets a little extra help.”
Wigan Athletic’s Head of Community, Tom Flower, said: “We would like to place on record our appreciation to The Lathums for the support their initiative will provide Wigan Athletic Community Trust as we continue to provide vital help to people who need it most in Wigan during these challenging times.”
Originally released in 1968, The Snake became a classic on the dancefloor of Wigan’s legendary Northern Soul club, Wigan Casino and was chosen by the band as being synonymous with their hometown. Northern Soul is reputed for it’s keen, international community of collectors, with rare 7” records changing hands for hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds. Each member has the track ringing in their ears as it was omnipresent at weddings, christenings and birthday parties for as long as they can remember. In Wigan, where there’s cake, there’s The Snake.
The Lathums released their latest single, I See Your Ghost, drawn from the four-track Ghosts EP, in October to a wild response, igniting a busy month which also saw them make their debut appearance on the BBC’s long-standing, flagship music programme, Later… With Jools Holland and return to the stage for the memorable live stream, Live From Blackpool Tower.
Formed in early 2019 of Moore, Scott Concepcion (lead guitar/vocals), Ryan Durrans (drums/vocals) and Jonny Cunliffe (bass), the band’s rare alchemy of wicked wordsmithery and pulse-quickening, sing-along indie connected almost immediately with a fanbase hungry for new heroes. Barely dimmed by the vast challenges presented by a turbulent 2020, The Lathums shine their light into a hope-filled 2021 with a run of completely sold out live dates waiting for them, including landmark shows at Manchester’s O2 Ritz and London’s Electric Ballroom.
For future release news and updates about sought-after tickets for The Lathums’ live shows, connect with the band online at:
https://twitter.com/TheLathums
https://www.facebook.com/
https://www.instagram.com/
What’s your name and role within The Grogans?
I am Jordan and I am the drummer of The Grogans.
Where are you currently based?
I’m based at 22 Almurta Road, East Bentleigh. Pop in and say hi.
How’s your Covid experience been so far?
Oh look it wasn’t too bad, it definitely has its pros and cons. Plenty of time to hang out with housemates, do some gardening and stuff but cons are that i can’t really do anything else.
Your last single before the album was released – ‘Got a Girl’ – is out now, how did this track come about?
Quin and I were jamming, during the covid period and stumbled across it, built on it with Gus a few weeks later and then recorded. It’s a bit heavier but still poppier enough to a boog.
Your new album Day/To/Day is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
Ahh, I think we took a lot of influence from relaxed surfy rock like allah las, the pesos and heaps of 60s & 70s surf. Also recording the album in ocean grove added to the sound through it being so relaxing.
How did you go about writing the album?
I don’t think we ever sat down and said “let’s write this now”, they just all happened through jamming. We had a rough idea of what we wanted to do but never knew exactly how many tracks or what exactly those tracks would sound like.
Where and when did you record and who with?
Ocean Grove, at the start of the year between isolations and with Quin, our guitarist/singer.
How did you approach the recording process?
We were trying to record it all at home, but just kept getting too hard because of work. So we just decided to lock ourselves away for a week to just get it done, otherwise we would have just kept adding stuff at home for months and never would have actually finished it.
What programs/equipment did you use?
We did it all on Protools. I don’t actually know too much about Quins mics, he’s got a heap of gear. There’s heaps of old vintage mics and shit.
What did you find most challenging and rewarding during the creation of Day/To/Day?
I think maybe in Again and Teach Me when I did heaps of different drum takes in different places because I wasn’t too happy with the sound, then it was most rewarding to finally get that right take in Ocean Grove.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Allah Las, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Amyl and the Sniffers, Adam Newling and Kylie Minogue
What do you like to do away from music?
Either walking around the backyard hitting things with a stick, working, relaxing or just driving around. Real hectic life.
Any shows coming up?
Yes we have 8 sold out shows coming up in Melbourne, might add a few more too.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2020 going into 2021?
Just play some, ah, sit down shows. Will be a bit of a new experience, a bit interesting.
Hopefully next year play some stand up shows again, and maybe release some more music. We’ll see what happens.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Right now I’m really loving ravioli, I haven’t had it in a while but it is really tasty. Because of the pandemic, my favourite place to hang out at the moment would have to be the front lawn in the sun.
Official Website: https://www.thegrogansband.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/
Triple J Unearthed: https://www.triplejunearthed.
Where are you currently based?
I am currently based in Brisbane!
How did you first start playing music?
I’ve always had a passion for music, long before I was even aware of it. I’ve been writing songs for as long as I can remember and I played guitar, piano and percussion in school. I always knew I wanted to be a full time musician and I’m so grateful that dream is working out for me.
What’s been happening recently and how has your Covid experience been?
I just dropped a new single so I’ve been enjoying seeing the reaction to that! My Covid experience has been bittersweet, I’ve had so much time to work on music but I really missed performing. I had my first gig since Covid a few weeks ago and it was so magical.
Your new single ”I Wish We Met When We Were 25′ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
I was really inspired by classic, pop breakup songs. I wanted to have my sassy breakup moment so I definitely did some exaggerating with the lyrics. My producer and I took inspiration from artists like Charli XCX, Taylor Swift and Caroline Polachek. We wanted to add an element of electronica to give more texture and depth.
How did you go about writing the single?
I got the idea for the title randomly one day and wrote it down in notes then didn’t touch the idea for another month. I started humming the melody one night and recorded a voice memo then fleshed it out on the piano the next day. The lyrics definitely came out naturally, I think my best songs are the ones that only take me 5 minutes to write.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who with?
I recorded 80% of it at my home studio with my producer Levi Kohler at the start of this year then added finishing touches at Airlock Studios with producer Steve Kempnich a few months ago.
How did you approach the recording process?
I always like to finish the structure and lyrics before recording so I have a vision of the finished song. I basically just show my producer some reference tracks and examples of what I want the song to sound like, then we just do what comes natural from there!
What’s planned for the remainder of 2020 going into 2021?
I want to squeeze in some more gigs and focus on recording more tracks for the future
Any shows coming up?
I have a show on December 17th with Sir & Lydia at Tomcat
What do you like to do away from music?
I got into making jewellery during Covid so I’ve been enjoying that!
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I’ve been loving The Neighbourhood’s new album at the moment, it’s so catchy and fun!
Favourite food and place to hangout?
I am a sucker for a good picnic, it’s the ultimate no pressure hangout situation in my opinion!
Links to socials:
www.instagram.com/
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“Wonderful songwriting that is both aggressive and tender.” – Tone Deaf
“They’ve transformed and blossomed into something remarkably special.” – Pilerats
“Sly Withers have found their own groove, which makes the prospect of a new full-length all the more enticing.” – The Music
In a year where most of the local music industry has been hamstrung by world events, Perth indie rock four-piece, Sly Withers, have bucked the trend and gone from strength to strength. That success only looks certain to continue with the release of their blistering new single, ‘Bougainvillea.’
It follows in the footsteps of ‘Cracks’ – arguably their biggest release to date. That powerful track, which was heralded by fans and media upon release earlier in the year, has quickly found a home on regular rotation at triple j, while continuing to build the national following they had been harvesting over recent years with songs like ‘Lately’ feat. Carla Geneve, ‘Explode Into View’ and ‘Closer.’
Now the band returns with the barnstorming, ‘Bouganvillea’ – a pure slice of punk with yet another swing for the fences chorus, boasting a wall of guitars and backing vocals, thunderous drums and an explosive atmosphere that all combines to form a giant, triumphant, mountain of celebration rock.
That sense of comradery permeates all their music, in particular the readily identifiable and relatable stories in their lyrics, and it’s what really makes the listener feel a part of the Sly Withers story. It’s also set to be an integral element of all the songs on their forthcoming new album, scheduled for release in the first half of 2021.
“This upcoming album feels like a defining moment in terms of us being able to make the exact kind of album we wanted to make,” says guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Sam Blitvich. “The songs feel like the most accurate representation of our taste and our songwriting that we possibly could have presented at this point in time and we’re really proud of what we’ve created.”
The release of ‘Bougainvillea’ arrives with yet another fantastic video, directed by their friend and regular collaborator, Tim Elphick. Featuring a spectacularly shit talent competition, it does also feature some of the band’s best acting work… although that also could be easily chalked up to the wigs and silly fake moustaches.
What is your name and role within Harves?
My name is Matthew Wright and my role in Harves includes singing/songwriting, playing keys and panicking about things I don’t need to.
Where are you currently based?
Based in Melbourne, Australia.
How did Harves form?
Sam and I spent many years sending song files back and forth and loosely collaborating over the internet. Until mid-2020, we didn’t really have a clear vision for what we were attempting to do. Our first single (Do Your Worst) was placed in a film through our publishers, and that was really the catalyst for us getting our shit together.
What’s been happening recently and how has your Covid experience been so far?
We’ve mostly been writing and preparing for our next release. Covid has certainly made things tougher for us. We’ve worked together in person only a handful of times this year, but in that time we’ve managed to launch the band, and finish and release 2 songs. We’re adapting I guess.
Your new single ‘The River’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
Harves take influence from wherever we can. Between the two of us, our taste in music is incredibly broad. We don’t really make a conscious effort to sound any particular way. I think our music is a perfect blend of everything we like, and the River is a great representation of that.
How did you go about writing The River?
Sam sent through the instrumental idea about a year ago and the vocal came to me almost instantly. It was one of those songs that takes on a life of their own. Apart from some changes the chorus, nearly everything was written within a couple of hours.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
We record and produce our own songs. Sam is also Produces/Mixes/Masters by trade. Harves are a pretty self-sufficient unit.
How did you approach the recording process?
Due to Covid, The River was recorded entirely from our respective houses. I did the vocals in my bedroom and Sam took care of mostly everything else in his home studio.
What does The River mean to you?
The River is a metaphor for the place that my mind goes when I create music. It can be a really dark and often lonely place, but coming out the other end is almost always worth it.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Right this very second I’m listening to John Coltrane. Also been giving the new HEALTH record a lot of love. We’re both massive fans of nearly everything they do.
What do you like to do away from music?
We’re both pretty avid gamers. I’d say we’re nearly as passionate about video games as we are about music. We draw a lot of inspiration from that world. Writing for video game soundtracks is a big goal for us.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2020 going into 2021?
We’ll be spending the rest of the year writing and preparing for our next release. We’re still undecided on what that release will be, but time will tell. Now that Covid restrictions are easing, we’ll no doubt start looking into playing some shows.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Honestly, my favourite place to hang out is in the comfort of my own home. I’m a bit agoraphobic, so the thought of going out makes me kinda anxious these days. My favourite food is dill pickles – I could (and often do) eat them all day, every day.
LISTEN To THE BETWEENERS : https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thebonniedoons/the-betweeners-2
Heralding a summer where we all will (hopefully) return to some sense of normalcy, Brisbane five-piece The Bonnie Doons release their much anticipated new EP, The Betweeners.
The four track release from the Brisbane indie group comes rich in groove and rhythm, positioning the young band as formidable champions of this sound out on the East Coast. Across the EP, listeners are able to learn more about this young band, who have developed into one of Brisbane’s brightest acts, pushing soulful songwriting and performance forward.
The music of the EP sits in the same lane as your Ocean Alleys or your Lime Cordiales, yet in the wordplay, cadence and flow of the lyrics against the music, The Bonnie Doons also call on the likes of Erykah Badu, Outkast and Sublime in their artistry.
A record that is rooted in optimism and always to better days, The Betweeners traces the intricacies of relationships and growing up. Recorded at Brisbane’s Alchemix Studios, production was handled by the band’s Kane Kennedy before being sent to ARIA winning engineer Govinda Doyle (Angus and Julia Stone) for mixing and mastering.
Warmth surrounds the guitars and percussion throughout the EP, while in Torian Brewer and Kennedy’s vocals, the listener is treated to a strong duo at ease with one another on track. Brewer is a natural on the mic; his cadence flowing naturally as his wordplay construction. Backed by great textured vocals and production, it’s a joy to listen to. EP tracks ‘Supatool’ and ‘JIEM’ provided added reggae notes, leaning heavy on the bass and rhythms, each element easily complementing one another.
“Ultimately it is about being truthful to yourself; to quit deceiving yourself because it’s easier at the time, and having the confidence to stick to your guns. In a day where anxieties are prevalent everywhere, we’re trying to focus on making our actions more deliberate. Don’t just sit back and let life happen to you. We should all be the main character in the movie that is our life.” The Bonnie Doons
PRAISE FOR THE BONNIE DOONS
“Brisbane five piece The Bonnie Doons meld their sun-drenched surf rock and nascent pop influences, making for a groove-laden, incredibly catchy bop for fans of Ocean Alley or Lime Cordiale.”
Music Feeds
“…the Brisbane five-piece deliver an instant summer soundtrack; ‘Fred’ pairs a rich, atmospheric sound with motivational lyrics…”
NME
“With more refined funk and deeper roots grooves, it’s clear that the group are finding themselves comfortably in line with the likes of Ocean Alley and San Cisco.”
Like Velvet
LISTEN To THE BETWEENERS : https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thebonniedoons/the-betweeners-2