PLAY/LISTEN

Where are you currently based?

It’s pretty crazy to say this, but Beverly Hills baby, that covid deal came in clutch.

What’s the LA music scene like at the moment?
Honestly, I think it’s overwhelmingly basic, but there are some sweet little pockets that promote the more esoteric side of EDM that I’m super inspired by. Unfortunately, you really have to search for them.

You’re originally from Melbourne / Australia, what’s the difference between being in LA to Australia?
Safety, holy shit, Los Angeles is a hellscape. I was a night rat growing up, only chased by eshays a few times, y’know, normal stuff. Los Angeles is not a place you want to be walking around at night. I love this city for so many reasons, but listen to my track Exposure Therapy and you’ll understand why I’m slightly pessimistic about this city. My first week here changed my life.

How did you first start playing music?
Woah, this is a question I’ve never even thought about. I was a classically trained violinist for 7 years and realized I hated it. I started making mashups on virtualdj and wanted to learn more about the actual craft of “djing”, I went to some DJ “school” in the city and was the only kid they enrolled as an exception because it was an adult course but I learned how to scratch records, count tempo, idk just some really practical stuff, shout out DJ Bonez for that one class you did. I started Djing events because I was a loser and wanted to get invited to parties. It worked, I won, kids paid me to have fun and I learned to produce my own tracks to play out.

Inspired by the bloghaus era, I tried making electro trash and electro house, but complextro was the thing that forced me into really diving into sound design. Flash forward, I moved to New York and learned everything I could about sampling and surrounded myself with hip hop, big ups my old crew SLUMP. I eventually ended up in LA, was kidnapped and thrown in a gutter, and basically decided I wanted to try put on silly voices in my music “sing”, I was such a quiet and insecure sod prior to that, you really have no idea. AHHHH

What’s been happening recently?
Honestly, I’ve been trying to get out of my comfort zone and show more of my personality to the world as I feel like it puts so much context behind my lyrics. I’ve been filming so much content and trying to set up photoshoots and writing sessions, it’s actually been pretty non-stop but it seems to be working, like aye I’m talking to you.

You’re releasing your follow-up single on November 11th titled ‘A Civil Conversation’ off your Exposure Therapy EP which will be released in December.  What or who influenced the sound and song writing for A Civil Conversation?
To keep a long story short, the backbone of this track is a horrifying 8-hour-long date I went on. It began with her sending me the wrong address, her still arriving an hour late, and inviting all of her friends. It culminated in us sitting on a park bench with her swiping through tinder showing me the other dates she had lined up. Now imagine the other 6.5 hours all equally as bad. I then sprinkled in some other bad date references, some attitude, and a little bit of sugar. All of this materialized as my attempt at making an early P!ATD track.

What does this single mean to you?
Dating in your 20s sucks.

Please tell us a bit about what we can expect from your upcoming EP and the influences behind it:
Honestly, this EP was my first foray into understanding myself not only as a vocalist but also a songwriter. I really evaluated what inspired my younger self and tried to emulate as much of that as I could. It’s music for lil purj, angsty yet hopeful, juvenile yet mature in personal depth.

Think P!ATD x MCR x FOB x Mindless Self Indulgence x The Used x Slipknot x Marilyn Manson x Bring Me The Horizon x Bloc Party x Every artist on OWSLA (RIP) x PORTER ROBINSON x The 1975 – MATTY HEALY [plz be my friend] x Aphex Twin x Burial x Limewire x Tumblr… Really anything on the internet between 2005 – 2014.

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

Honestly, 90% of the EP is just me in a dark corner at the back of my room humoring the souls of the damned. However, the other 10% are some beautiful guitar features by @synovamusic and support from a really talented group of friends who give amazing feedback or help when needed.

How do you approach songwriting?
Bad things keep happening… let’s talk about it…

Who are you listening to at the moment?
YVES TUMOR I can’t even put into words how profound this artist is to me.

What do you like to do away from music?
I work as a Graphic Designer at a kickass company called Production Club. Do a little digging and you’ll know pretty quickly why this is a dream job for me. I am also training for a kickboxing tournament next year, ahhhh please send me all the good luck beans!

What’s planned for the remainder of 2022 going into 2023?
I finally get to go home! I haven’t been home in 4 years because of covid and visa complications and it’s really taken its toll on my mental health. I’m going to crumble in my mum’s arms. Oh and of course, finish the Exposure Therapy EP roll out 😉 maybe a few videos, we will just have to wait and see.

Favorite food and place to hang out?

In Los Angeles. Dialog Cafés Smash Burger. I’d never eaten pickles and the owner who’s mates with my mate saw me taking out the pickles and called me out on it. He proceeded to express how much love and care go into his pickles. Out of shame, I started to put the pickles back in my burger… let’s just say I kinda fw pickles now. Thanks Tod <3