Where are you currently based?
I’m in Perth at the moment.
How did you first get into playing electronic music?
Back in high school I used to take music as a class, it basically meant I’d get an hour everyday to play guitar and chat shit with my mates. We were shown Logic Pro by our teacher and were pretty intrigued. The next day I transferred logic onto my Mac and was just amazed by how everything worked. If always been a fan of electronic music and now the possibility of making my own was at my fingertips.
What’s the Perth music scene like at the moment?
It’s doing very well compared to the rest of the world. There’s gigs left and right. Besides the capacity limits its almost back to normal in venues and clubs. Pretty shit that the government won’t let festivals come back though, everyone here is definitely hanging for them.
What’s been happening recently?
I had my summer uni break so I knuckled down to write some tunes over the summer months. Over this time Solsta was a little quiet but sometimes you just need to take a step back from putting music out and just focus on learning. My last release before together started to gain me a bit of momentum so I wanted to keep the ball rolling and come back even bigger.
Your latest release ‘Together’ Ft. Bexx is out now, what influenced the sound and song writing for this track?
I really wanted to write a track that sounded organic and mellow but still had a tint of grit to it. The writing process of together was me sitting their trying to build this huge atmosphere that constantly built tension. I’d combine like 30 different elements and then when I was happy if strip it back into a instrumental that a vocalist could work with
How did you come to work with Bexx?
So there’s this music production school in Perth called LabSix. I got a few mixing lessons there and went to a few presentations where past students would show off some music and get some feedback. During my big writing stint over the uni break I went in to catch up with Jeremy (one of the instructors I’d worked with) and we just chatted about how to further the Solsta project. After this chat he linked me up with BEXX and a few days later she sent me the vocals you hear. It was that quick.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who with?
I created the skeleton of the track in my bedroom studio before I got linked up with BEXX. Perth was in lockdown at the time so we weren’t able to get some studio time. She recorded the vocals at her place sent me them. Over the next few weeks I polished the track off in one of the lab six studios Jeremy gave me permission to use. This was huge by the way, big ups to Jeremy and LabSix for giving me the opportunity’s they have.
What programs equipment did you use to record and what do you use live?
I haven’t developed a live show beyond mixing on decks, but it’s definitely something I’ll be doing in the future. In terms of recording, I use a wide range of instruments. I have a couple of guitars, a mono synth and this wierd sequencer called a subharmonicon. I run em through an appollo arrow into logic and then muck around with plug ins as well.
How did you approach the recording/production process?
When I have a writing session for new ideas I’ll set a timer for 40 minutes and just create something. After that 40 mins is up I’ll start again. I’ll do this like 3 or 4 times then take a break, come back and pick an idea to pursue. In my opinion this kinda eliminates writers block because your forced to just make something and eventually one of those somethings will sound decent.
Any idea who you’ll be collaborating with in the future?
I got another huge song coming out with BEXX very soon. I’ve also been working on a couple of other tracks with local Perth producers that are huge. Can not wait to get them out!
Do you have any shows coming up?
Not yet. I’m really trying to nail my production the first half of this year. I’m planning on dropping my Debut ep later in the year so will definitely try and get some shows going with that. Should be huge.
What do you like to do away from music?
I’m at uni at the moment so when I’m not cooking up some music I’m studying. Whenever I get the chance I love to get in the water for a surf to.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Atm I’m pumping crooked colours, choomba and Kream. Kream and Choomba just get me going and crooked colours mellows me out. Perfectly diversified portfolio.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2021?
I just want to keep grinding music. I’m not to worried about trying to play shows every weekend. I want my music to be perfect. If I can just keep putting good tunes out there and generate a following of people who enjoy it I’ll be stoked. That’s the plan for 2021.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
I love KFC. Absolutely froth it. To be honest my favourite place to hang out is definitely in the studio. I spend a bit of time in the studios at Labsix in Perth and it’s definitely my happy place. Just chilling and chatting to other producers who come through.
