MOSSY

by the partae March 16, 2022

written by the partae March 16, 2022

Where are you currently based?

South Yarra, Melbourne.

How did you first start playing music?

Started playing keyboard when I was 6. I just wanted to be able to play Kiss From a Rose and the theme song to Titanic.

What’s been happening recently?

It’s been a pretty busy couple of months directing/ editing videos with my brother for all the singles from my album.

Your debut album ‘N2KY’ will be out on March 18, what influenced the sound and songwriting?

It’s heavily influenced by Scandinavian sounds and textures—cloud rap, synth pop, nu-wave—artists like Bladee, Lust for Youth, First Hate. Lots of ambient textures, sequencers, icy synths, auto-tuned vocals.. that kinda thing.

How did you go about writing the music?

I wrote most of the original ideas on a shitty Casio Keyboard and an acoustic guitar (for the first time ever). Later in the studio with Dean Tuza (producer) we started fleshing out the ideas with different synths and programming beats on the 808 or 909. I’ve been getting my producing chops up the last couple of years so my new demos sound less… shit.

Where and when did you record/produce/master and who with?

We did the whole album in Dean’s studio in South Yarra, Melbourne. South-side represent. The album was mixed in LA by my dear friend Stuart White (Beyoncé, Jay-Z) and mastered by John Davis at Metropolis.

How did you approach the recording process?

Because the songs for this album were so raw to begin with, Dean and I referenced a lot of artists that we love, and started working out how to dress these songs properly. Some songs completely transformed. We were very thorough.

What does this album mean to you?

I didn’t really know until I finished. N2KY stands for Nice 2 Know Ya. It’s basically an album about rejecting enmeshment and dependence on others. It’s a record about craving freedom, whatever that means.

What do you like to do away from music?

I’m very interested in mental health. I read a lot of books on that. Dependence on substances and the many different approaches to dealing with that interests me as well, having had my own struggles at times. I love boxing cos it keeps me fit and focused. Big Formula 1 fan too. I also play Fortnite every day, and I love being around my friends.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

Bladee, Lust For Youth, First Hate, Iceage, Ecco2k, HTRK, Acopia.

What’s planned for 2022?

I’ve got a second album shaping up nicely, so hopefully I can get that finished!

Favourite food and place to hangout?

It’s definitely a Melbourne hot spot atm, but I can’t go past Hope St Radio. Wine is great, food is incredible, and it’s an environment that really promotes socialising—I love it, sue me.