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We are witnessing music history in the making; despite “growing up” in the same scene Social Distortion & Bad Religion have never toured together! Both bands have been excited about the possibility and have worked towards this end for YEARS. Last week the Los Angeles Punk and Orange County Rock n’ Roll legends Bad Religion & Social Distortion announced an Australia & New Zealand co-headlining tour. The tour will kick off on February 15 in Auckland and wrap Wednesday 22 in Perth.
General tickets are on sale now.
“I’ve been a huge Social Distortion fan for over 40 years, and I guarantee you no one is more excited about this tour than I am. Sick Digital Boys 2023!” – Brian Baker, Bad Religion
“We are really looking forward to this incredible tour with our good friends Bad Religion. It’s been years since we’ve played a show together and it’s about time we take it on the road. Not only are we excited for this reunion, but to also return to Australia and finally hit New Zealand!!! See you all soon!” – Mike Ness, Social Distortion
SOCIAL DISTORTION & BAD RELIGION
TOUR DATES:
WEDNESDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2023 – TRUSTS ARENA, AUCKLAND
FRIDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2023 – RIVERSTAGE, BRISBANE
SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2023 – HORDERN PAVILION, SYDNEY
SUNDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2023 – MARGARET COURT ARENA, MELBOURNE
WEDNESDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2023 – RED HILL AUDITORIUM, PERTH
General tickets on sale now from destroyalllines.com.
ABOUT BAD RELIGION
Aside from essentially defining the California half-pipe punk blueprint, Bad Religion has defied the usual trend shifts or values-ditched ubiquities of the typical punk band storyline. The band morphed along with challenging album after album amid astoundingly consistent touring, retaining their core audience while roping in subsequent generations of anxiously energetic kids.
The band has long settled into the current lineup who have arguably enacted to most muscular Bad Religion ever to grace a stage: Greg Graffin (vocals) and Jay Bentley (bass) join Brian Baker (guitarist since ’94), guitarist Mike Dimkich (9 years in), and drummer Jamie Miller, who’s already been with the band for seven years.
Bad Religion is in an almost singular position in the history of punk. Having formed right on the heels of the original explosion, they led the west coast arm of hardcore’s birth, adding their melodic riffs, zooming harmonies, and viciously verbose lyrical punch to the basic bash of hardcore. Then the band continued to expand their template through the ‘80s and into the indebted “neo-punk” sound of the early ‘90s and weathered the questionable dichotomies of the “alternative rock” era by doing what they’ve always done – releasing explosive album after album to consistent acclaim from fans and critics. They’ve continued to throw songwriting and production wrenches into the works so’s not to bore themselves or their never-diminishing following. Their catalog of releases is extensive, including 17 studio albums, eight full decade-specific performances in their bio-documentary series Decades, and releasing a biographical accounting of their history in 2020 Do What You Want: The Story of Bad Religion.
The band’s rep, as socially aware thought-provokers, can’t obscure the fact they’ve remained one of the most viscerally powerful live bands on the planet, remembering the beats and riffs that get your ass off the couch in the first place.
FOLLOW BAD RELIGION:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
ABOUT SOCIAL DISTORTION
Mike Ness (Guitar, Vocals) Jonny Wickersham (Guitar) Brent Harding (Bass) Dave Hidalgo Jr. (Drums)
Here’s how you know you’ve made it in the music business: You’ve stayed strong for four decades on your own terms, on your own time, by your own rules, and over that time your influence has only grown. Each of your albums has been stronger than your last. You’ve been brought onstage by Bruce Springsteen, because he wanted to play one of your songs. You’ve seen high times and low ones, good days and tragic days, but every night you give 100%, and every morning you wake up still swinging.
This is the short version of the Social Distortion bio — the long version could be a 10-part mini-series. But over the past 40 years, the punk godfathers in the band have all but trademarked their sound, a brand of hard rockabilly/punk that’s cut with the melodic, road-tested lyrics of frontman Mike Ness. Their searing guitars and a locomotive rhythm section sound as alive today as they did in ’82, as do Ness’ hard-luck tales of love, loss and lessons learned. “The most common thing I hear is, ‘Man, your music got me through some hard times,'” Ness says. “And I just say, ‘Me too.'”
Now in their fourth decade, Ness and Social Distortion have officially done one of the most non-punk things possible: They’ve failed to burn out.
Mixing Springsteen’s factory-overalls ethic with Southern California punk energy and black leather, Social Distortion formed with Ness and high school buddy, the late Dennis Danell, in the late 1970s; the group broke in 1983 with the thrashing plate of punk and displeasure “Mommy’s Little Monster.” Their 1988 follow-up, “Prison Bound,” hinted at a sonic change to come, and by the band’s self-titled 1990 record and 1992’s “Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell,” their sound had solidified into the instantly recognizable brand of rock n’ roll that’s defined them since.
Now, Social Distortion consists of Ness and longtime guitarist Jonny Wickersham, along with bassist Brent Harding and drummer David Hidalgo, Jr.
These days the band is rarely off the road for long, and continues to grip fans who have been around since “Mommy’s Little Monster” while drawing new ones who discover the band through hand-shot YouTube clips. “I see people bringing their kids to shows,” Ness says. “And I see kids bringing their parents.”
Social Distortion is a mix of potent power, appeal across all age brackets and a genuine satisfaction at reaching as many people as they have. “I write songs for myself, and I hope that other people will like them too,” Ness says. “I think every record you make is showing people what you’ve learned over the past few years. It’s showing people, ‘This is what I know.’ “
“Ness is one of the most underrated pure songwriters in rock.” – Los Angeles Times
FOLLOW SOCIAL DISTORTION:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
Where are you currently based?
Melbourne.
How did the band form?
Tetsuians formed out of the ashes of a previous band The Wireless, with Andrew Jackson and I (Trent Price), teaming up with Amber Craske on bass. That line-up lasted for two albums.
What’s been happening recently?
The addition of Chris Corvetti (lead guitar) and Luke Guan (bass) has been pretty revelatory. The sound we imagined we could produce with a full line-up was realised almost immediately. It’s a credit to their innate ear for what works musically.
You have a new album on the way which you are launching on Saturday September 3rd @Mama Chen’s Footscray, Melbourne. What do you have instore for this show?
We have Melbourne band Billy Cart supporting us, who have promised to bring some interesting visual effects and undisclosed ‘surprises’, so not to be upstaged, I guess we’ll have to execute some upside-down drum solos. Failing that I’ll probably have to nail myself to a gantry or something.
What influenced the sound and songwriting for this album?
A lot of Supergrass, Wild Flag and Teenage Fanclub. So if you love them you’ll probably hate us.
How did you approach the songwriting process?
It’s become almost clichéd now but 90% of this album was written in lockdown, but I had a pretty serious hospital scare last year which gave me a lot of downtime to hone the lyrics, which in retrospect was kinda useful. I wouldn’t recommend it as a regular writing technique though.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
This is our second album with Brad Jackson at Supersonic Recordings, who’s been brilliant to work with. One of the easiest guys to work with but he has a subtle way of pushing you to do better, so there’s no risk of getting too comfortable. The album was mastered by John Ruberto at Mastersound. What’s great is that John wasn’t going for overall volume and really focused on bringing out the textures of the recordings. It’s still a punchy record, but it steers away from the current trend towards waking the dead. Streaming has had a massive influence (largely negative) on that type of recording.
Please tell us about the recording process:
We did basic tracking in early 2021, then went away to muse on how the finished product might sound. You always have an idea, but sometimes it’s good to let it gestate and experiment a bit. Being in and out of lockdown meant we had a mixture of home and studio overdubs. We were recording the same time as our mates the Maggie Pills were recording their new album, so we saw a lot of them and got to hear a lot of sneak previews. It’s gonna be sick when it comes out!
What do you have planned for the remainder of 2022 going into 2023?
After our album launch at Mamma Chen’s we’re going to be supporting Grups for their residency at the Tote on September 17. The vinyl for our new album is running a bit late, so while we’ve got CD’s we’re likely to have another special vinyl launch on the next month or so. We’re also in talks about some gigs on the Apple Isle in January so stay tuned…
Who are you listening to at the moment?
‘Cockroach in a Ghost Town’ by Slang and ‘Chomp’ by Pylon.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
If you like chocolate and records, you can’t go past Oh! Jeans Records in Fitzroy. The have the best collection of NZ artists and confectionary you’ll find this side of the Tasman Sea and probably the best coffee in Melbourne. It’s also run by two of the loveliest people you’ll ever meet.
Socials
https://www.facebook.com/Tetsuians
https://www.instagram.com/tetsuians/
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3asjMtKj3yCeZ3Lg2hVl4m?si=AoNbQV0yTyOm7QlWx0Gang
Where are you currently based?
Living in Thornbury, Melbourne. Teaching creative writing in Primary Schools all over town.
Your latest single ‘Red Dirt Angel’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
Sonically, much of it came from this world of Australiana bush electronica. I think of Tornado Wallace’s Voices and Hunters & Collectors When The River Runs Dry when I consider the song.
How did you go about writing Red Dirt Angel?
This doesn’t happen often, but it stemmed directly from a dream I was repeatedly having. I was following some faceless person leading me endlessly through the Australian outback and I woke up with the phrase “red dirt angel” on the tip of my tongue. I also like to riddle our music with references to the TV show Round The Twist – Red Dirt Angel includes this line about the Gum Leaf War, an episode set in the bush. These disparate puzzle pieces snapped into place and the song was done in a day or two.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
In line with this whole Australiana bush theme, we booked Echidna Studios out in Christmas Hills, deep in the bushy hills outside of Melbourne to explore the songwriting, producing it all myself with our live sound engineer Guy Faletolou behind the desk. To polish the songs off in a more realised studio aesthetic, we went to Stephen Charles at The Aviary in Melbourne to approach it through a fresh lens. Our previous albums were produced by sonic wizard Matthew Neighbour who mixed the majority of these songs from LA, and mixed them well.
How did you approach the recording process?
It was all about embracing the essence of the band members. They’re such unique performers, but my fastidious approach to songwriting hasn’t always allowed room for them to shine within the recordings. ‘Smiles of Earth’ was all about songwriting in a way that left room for them to explore.
Please tell us about your new album that’s being released on August 26:
Our previous album New Romancer was a deeply personal collection of songs that were written and recorded in a deeply insular way. A couple of years later, despite the ever-present pandemic, I found myself in a place of spiritual peacefulness. I wanted to write songs from this place. No matter what the subject matter is, Smiles of Earth asks the question of how we can view or experience it from a place of gratitude. How do we celebrate this experience rather than lament it?
You have a massive Tour coming up, where are you headed?
All over the east coast of Australia with a smattering of festivals to bookend the tour.
Any shows that you are particularly keen to play and why?
Brisbane’s a really bright beacon right now. My family’s from there originally. We’ve always been shown so much love up there and it’s been so, so long since we played there.
What can we expect from your live show?
Inclusivity and a lot of love. We’re all such tight-knit friends and it’s often said how much this shows while we play. I like to think that permeates the audience’s experience in such a way that we all feel like friends.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Vulture Prince by Arooj Aftab has been my album of the year. Pakistani born, raised in Saudi Arabia, lives in Brooklyn. The album reflects that. So worldly and so other-worldly at the same time. Beautiful.
Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You by Big Thief is a smasher. So many songs and all them so profoundly good. I also have a soft spot in my heart for a long-ass title.
What do you like to do away from music?
I teach story and creative writing to children/ teenagers which keeps me reading a lot. I spend so much time in fantasy and sci-fi worlds. That kind of world building just blows my mind every day. Spending a lot of time in the garden these days. Bit of carpentry to keep the dirt beneath my fingernails. Gonzo (band-mate Francesca Gonzales) and I spend a fair whack of time at the nail salon which undoes the aforementioned nail-dirt.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2022 going into 2023?
It’s obviously been an insular couple of years so the plan is just to get out there. Tour Australia, tour America, tour the UK. Tour anywhere that’ll have us, basically. I’d love to make another album next year but we owe the ether many shows before that happens.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Picante Cafe in North Fitzroy, Melbourne. It’s totally unassuming and I love it for that. I’ve been going there religiously for 10 years. It’s where I return to when my creative page is blank. I like the simpler places, unadorned places. I love sitting at shitty airport cafes for that reason. Something about places that aren’t really trying to be anything else allows for my creativity to flourish. Real world places.
PLAY/LISTEN
Tetsuians have cemented themselves in the Melbourne/Naarm music landscape with their unique mixture of punchy indie riffs and melodic undertones. A warm indie pop-rock sound that takes influence from bands such as Wilco, Supergrass and Wild Flag.
The bands third album Repairs and Alterations heralds a bigger sound, with thicker licks and refined song writing, set for release tomorrow on the 30th of August 2022.
The band have released a number of singles leading up to the album release, most recently Walk It Off and Shadow In The Sky.
The album launch is scheduled for Saturday September 3rd @Mama Chen’s Footscray, Melbourne
https://www.facebook.com/events/429796589066218
https://www.facebook.com/Tetsuians
https://www.instagram.com/tetsuians/
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3asjMtKj3yCeZ3Lg2hVl4m?si=AoNbQV0yTyOm7QlWx0Gang
Photo by @crookedgrain_
Following singles ‘Bucket of Water’, ‘Bark All Night’ and ‘Miranda’ (out 19 August), Little Lunch Records is excited to announce the debut album from Renovator’s Delight, Bark All Night.
From a slowly overflowing bucket of water, to peering a little too deeply into the depths of your cup of black coffee; Bark All Night is full of small observations and big pictures. Not too melancholic to lose its playfulness, not too varnished to lose the splinters, Renovator’s Delight’s left-of-centre guitar pop and oddball instrumentation is all about trying to see things more clearly. The album takes a brief stroll through teen angst in coastal morning mist, before tripping headlong into the inner-city cigarette smoke haze of adult heartache — and leaves you wondering if the cracked pavement in-between isn’t where it all makes the most sense.
Bark All Night is out on 26 August, available on 12” vinyl
and digitally through all streaming platforms.
Catch Renovator’s Delight on tour-
FRI 7 OCT EORA/SYD PETERSHAM BOWLING CLUB
SAT 8 OCT MEANJIN/BNE IT’S STILL A SECRET
SAT 15 OCT NAARM/MEL MERRI CREEK TAVERN
In-between writing jangly pop with Meanjin/Brisbane-based band Dumb Things, Renovator’s Delight (aka Madeleine Keinonen) has crafted a melancholic yet playful album of left-of-centre guitar pop that’s just the right amounts of unvarnished and unhinged.
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Previous Support For GENIIE BOY
“this is Geniie Boy’s best one yet! the vibrance to these melodies are as infectious and joyous as it gets.”
4 / 5 (Declan Byrne, Triple J) [About ‘Shaky Ground’]
“it’s as if the little dancing emoji has come to life and taken the form of a Geniie Boy song”
4 / 5 (Max Quinn, Triple J) [About ‘Shaky Ground’]
“Between Alisha’s charismatic voice and the smart production, there’s plenty to love”
4 / 5 (Abby Butler, Triple J) [About ‘Fool’s Play’]
‘Bruises’ featured on ‘Fuzzy’ Spotify Playlist
“Late ’90s, early 2000s college radio guitar pop that basks in the glow of DIY indie magic and Alisha’s soaring vocals brimming with care-free spontaneity and bright, easily digestible tones ‘Shaky Ground’ is an alluring ear worm that’ll nestle itself in many upcoming playlists.”
(Scenestr) [About ‘Shaky Ground’]
“GENIIE BOY has again shown off their brilliance when it comes to creating catchy hooks and feel-good moments.”
(AAA Backstage) [About ‘Shaky Ground’]
“Their cruisy, laid-back indie-pop vibe’s given a signature lift via Alisha’s lilting, layered vocals and Scott’s razor-sharp production. For two artists who’ve never spent a lot of time around pop, they’re sure as heck nailing it.”
(Natalie O’Driscoll, Blank Mag)
“‘Bad Company’ is an ice-cream sundae with the lot.”
(AU Review)
“Sure to be stuck in your head from the first listen, Geniie Boy’s indie-pop sound is your perfect summer companion, with multi-instrumental hooks, danceable drum beats, soaring harmonies and Alisha’s conversational lyrics keeping you company…”
(Amnplify)
“Combining Alisha Todd’s silky vocals and knack for charismatically catchy hooks with Scott French’s sharp production and crunchy guitar riffs, the pair have created an exciting multi-dimensional pop atmosphere to be enjoyed by all.”
(LivewireAU)
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Follow GENIIE BOY
Spotify | Apple Music | Soundcloud | Bandcamp | Youtube
Title: Always Feel Like
Label: CONTROVERSIA
Alok is back on his imprint CONTROVERSIA with another cutting-edge club track that draws upon Rockwell‘s timeless party anthem with “Always Feel Like.” Although the iconic background vocals by Michael Jackson and his brother Jermaine instantly strike a nostalgic chord with listeners, this isn’t your parents’ version of “Somebody’s Watching Me” from 1984. Following the footsteps of his premier future-tech track “The Club Is Jumpin’” from May this year, Alok expertly crafts a sonic journey with future house-inspired basslines and dynamic synths, making “Always Feel Like” a bonafide club banger that feels right at home in the best clubs and festivals across the globe. All that without losing the old-school vibe of Rockwell‘s original. The track follows Alok‘s recent radio-friendly single “Deep Down,” which is going strong at over 30M streams on Spotify alone, constantly growing by a few million new spins weekly on the platform alone, and on the radio airwaves globally. This summer has been a hot one for the Brazilian star, with headline performances at Tomorrowland, Untold, Neversea, Balaton Sound, EXIT Festival, and multiple events in Ibiza as part of Alok‘s residency on the The White Island.
Alok
With a strong resume full of remixes and collaborations with artists such as The Rolling Stones to Zara Larsson, from Jason Derulo to Tove Lo, and more, Brazilian Alok has gained an immense international following and is currently having his global breakout moment. He already has the second-largest Instagram following of any electronic artist globally (almost 28M), and his 20M devoted monthly listeners on Spotify have made him the most listened to Brazilian artist in the world. In 2021, he was named the 4th Best DJ in the world, according to the prestigious DJ Mag Top 100 DJ Poll. In 2019, Alok was nominated for the International Dance Music Awards for his hit remix of the Meduza single “Piece of Your Heart,” and he also worked with global pop sensation Dua Lipa for the official remix of her hit single “Physical.” Recently he also collaborated with Grammy-award pop sensation John Legend on “In My Mind” and with renegade vocalist John Martin on “Wherever You Go” and lended his talents to remix Ed Sheeran‘s “Shivers.” The sky is the limit for the Brazilian superstar.
CONTROVERSIA
Alok‘s CONTROVERSIA continues to go from strength to strength, and this latest release is another fine example of a label making all the right moves to maintain its impressive forward momentum. Since its inception in June 2019, CONTROVERSIA has accumulated over 1B Spotify streams thanks to its remarkable family of artists, including Yves V, Alan Walker, Bhaskar, Alle Farben, Vintage Culture, and more. All of whom have helped CONTROVERSIA quickly establish itself as one of the most successful independent labels in dance music today.
Alok‘s dates:
Aug 26 – Barretos, SP, Brazil
Aug 27 – Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
Aug 28 – Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
Aug 30 – Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
Sep 03 – Rock in Rio – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sep 05 – Hï Ibiza – Ibiza, Spain
Sep 10 – Itu, SP, Brazil
Sep 10 – Cruz Alta, RS, Brazil
Sep 10 – Araçatuba, SP, Brazil
Sep 12 – Hï Ibiza – Ibiza, Spain
Sep 17 – Campos Gerais, MG, Brazil
Sep 17 – Barra das Garças, MT, Brazil
Sep 18 – Salvador, BA, Brazil
Sep 22 – Campinas, SP, Brazil
Sep 23 – Jaguariúna, SP, Brazil
Sep 23 – São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil
Sep 24 – Cascavel, PR, Brazil
Sep 25 – Bom Princípio, RS, Brazil
Sep 30 – Toybox – Toronto, Canada
Oct 01 – Montreal, Canada
Back to normal life – the summer of 2022 is looking very promising. A carefree summer without restrictions and conditions. Sun, beach, party, Ibiza, festivals, clubs, everything is possible and Milk & Sugar delivers the perfect soundtrack for it, with the latest installment of the “Beach Sessions” series.
Label mastermind Milk & Sugar is responsible for the exquisite choice of tracks, having mixed a perfect beach set for both discs. This year’s edition also delivers the popular and significant mix of chilled sounds for the beach, rooftop party or beach bar.
On two CDs there are over 30 productions by acts such as Purple Disco Machine, Pete Tong, DePhazz, Teenage Mutants, Superlover, Tube & Berger, Sonny Fodera, Miguel Migs, Kolombo, Afterlife, Vanilla Ace and many more. As a very special highlight, Milk & Sugar contributes an unreleased mix of the classic “Let The Sun Shine“.
Beach Sessions 2022 lands on August 12th, 2022 as a limited double CD, download and streaming edition.
BEACH SESSIONS 2022 // compiled and mixed by Milk & Sugar
CD1 // POOL
- Milk & Sugar – Let the Sun Shine (Stu Patrics Extended Dub Remix)
02. Vanilla Ace – Get It On (Original Mix)
03. Matthew1626 feat. Karolyn Haze – While We Still Can (Yves Murasca Remix)
04. Gabriel & Castellon – Es Vedra (Touch & Go Remix)
05. Loui & Scibi – Don’t Lie (Original Mix)
06. Miguel Migs feat. Lisa Shaw – Moving Light (Original Mix)
07. Moya – Making Me Fall (Kolombo Remix)
08. Rockaforte & Yves Murasca feat. Silvia – Heartless Beatings (Tosel & Hale Remix) 09. Sonny Fodera, Bontan – Want To Know (Original Mix)
10. Teenage Mutants – Barbès (Original Mix)
11. Superlover – Restless (Tube & Berger Remix)
12. Martin Waslewski – Clouds (Purple Disco Machine Remix)
13. Pete Tong, John Monkman – The Bumps (Original Mix)
14. Tube & Berger, J.U.D.G.E. – Disarray (Original Mix)
15. Rashid Ajami & Jerome Robins – Unstoppable (Tube & Berger Remix)
CD2 // BEACH
- DIVEin2MOODS – You (Original Mix)
02. Mashti & Deep Dive Corp. feat. Jon Sa Trinxa – What Is Balearic? (Original Mix) 03. Schwarz & Funk – Fallen (Bossa Mix)
04. Pearldiver – Evening Groove (Original Mix)
05. Deep Dive Corp. feat. Al Agami & Hush Forever – The Groove Is You (Original Mix) 06. P.M.FM feat. Hellmut Hattler – Swing Your Soul (Original Mix)
07. Worldtraveller – Earth (Original Mix)
08. Living Room – Portuguese Beach Cafe (Original Mix)
09. Hippiehaus – Galaxies (Original Mix)
10. Afterlife feat. Ella May – Pirates (Original Mix)
11. Afternoon In Stereo – Gregory (Original Mix)
12. Pit Baumgartner – Right This Time (Adult Mix)
13. James Bright – The Reef (Original Mix)
14. Danilo De Santo – Bora Bora (Extended Mix)
15. De-Phazz – Hell Alright (Original Mix)
16. James Bright – Be (Original Mix)
Buylink:
http://www.milksugar.lnk.to/
Minimix Link:
https://youtu.be/NtkZ33qKhf8
Socials:
Where are you currently based?
Sydney, Australia.
How did you first start playing music?
Growing up with an array of different instruments and records from around the world was like a musical playground for me. I began to explore my own sound and style from a young age, picking up the piano at the age of 5 and then moving onto saxophone, singing and dance at the age of 8.
What’s been happening recently?
The past year I have put my head down and honed into my writing. I have been playing piano and producing again, always finding new tools to stay inspired. I have surrounded myself with like minded creatives who share the same hunger to create and collaborate on many different levels and artistic avenues. I have now completed an EP set to be released 2023.
Your latest single ‘Alien’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
I think my mood was the biggest influence, coming out of a dark mental state, but also feeling a sense of empowerment and growth as a woman. When we started writing ‘Alien’, everything just poured out of me, all the emotions I had gone through the previous year coming out of lockdown and everything that surfaced when you are forced to be with yourself and face the things you can usually run away from with distractions in the city, always being on the move. It was a rebirth of the new me, leaving behind old habits and moving toward a bright new path. I wanted the song to give a euphoric, psychedelic feel, giving the listener a sense of space, ambience and colour.
How did Alien come about?
I began writing this story a while back and once we started creating the music, everything just flowed. The lyrics came out so naturally, it was the perfect fit. We finished the song in one session, sometimes these things are just meant to be.
What does this single mean to you?
‘Alien’ weaves a story about the pressures of life in the city and how we survive it. It is about the darkness that pulls you in, the devil on your shoulder luring you into the abyss and how easy it is to forget who you are and why you’re here. It is a universal story, but also a personal story of altering my conciseness and numbing the pain and traumas that were longing to be healed.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
‘Alien’ was recorded, produced and mastered at Bodega Studios, written by me and produced by Tom Elliott from the duo Korky Buchek.
How did you approach the recording process?
We recorded ‘Alien’ in the space of one day. The idea quickly translated with the music and I was able to fully formulate and structure my verses. I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time at Bodega studios during the midst of covid. It was a safe environment for me to try out new ideas and let my creative juices flow with no judgement or distraction.
What or who influenced the concept for the music video?
I had a vision of playing with imagery of an otherworldly creature, my alter ego, luring me deeper into the unknown. I wanted to weave a narrative using the metaphor of dreams, intertwining this with creating fantasy to escape reality. ‘Alien’ embodies rebirth; I shed my skin to seek my emancipation. I am on a journey of empowerment. Samuel Barrie Wrote the final script and Freddie XX directed the video, both having strong influences in the conceptualisation of this piece of work.
Where and when did you film and how did you find the experience?
‘Alien’ was filmed at various Sydney locations. I found the experience to be a transformative learning experience. I was lucky to manifest the team that so naturally came together to execute this idea for ‘Alien’. Each member played such a significant role and went above and beyond their roles to assure this project would grow to be a masterpiece. With time constraints, unexpected weather changes, and the usual few happenings that seem to surprise you on set, the team and I were able to overcome these obstacles, always keeping a positive mindset and having clear and open communication, most importantly remembering to enjoy the process. Everyone’s energies aligned to create a safe space where thoughts and ideals could be exchanged, communicated and agreed upon, something which doesn’t always flow in creative spaces. It is such an incredible experience working with creatives who are truly passionate about what they do and the art they want to share with the world.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
This is always a difficult question for me, as my inspiration stems from an array of musical genres, from old to new.
I think my biggest influences of recent who encompass my artistry and have impacted me and my music would be:
BEAM, Little Simz, Isaiah Rashad, Mick Jenkins, Saba, Andre 3000, Outkast, Kendrick Lamar, Asap Rocky, Smino, EarthGang, J.I.D, Blue Room Mafia, Pa Saleiu, Ramirez, Shakwell, Pouya, sza, I could go on but the list would be never ending. In recent years I have been getting into a lot of alternative hip hop and future soul. One artist that I can’t stop listening to and continues to amaze me: BEAM, Jamaican born, Miami raised and mutli talented. His production and songwriting skills are beyond our time, and ability to churn out so many varying genres, whilst interchanging his vocal style and tonality has me guessing if it’s the same artist through his albums.
~ Pink Floyd
~Missy
What do you like to do away from music?
I love to travel, spend time with my family and my loved ones, and focus on other creative projects besides music. I think its important to constantly be informing myself of what’s happening in the world around me and learn about the ever-changing environment I find myself in. I find it almost detrimental to escape the city as often as I can, I venture out into nature where I can breathe fresh air, see the stars, swim in the ocean, and immerse myself in mother nature.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2022 going into 2023?
The remainder of this year will be spent finishing music, creating new works, meeting and collaborating with other creatives, and trying to help as much as I can with other people’s creative dreams and endeavours. I would like to perform my new material in new spaces and take my music all over the world.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Nothing beats mum’s cooking. Having lived out of home for so long, I have been craving family energy and a home environment, the love and warmth it brings doesn’t compare to anything. I always feel realigned and inspired after spending time with the fam.
“The Grogans stress their rejection of any one genre label, making them an exceptionally accessible group to get into. Whatever your cup of tea or perhaps a bottle of bitters, you are bound to find something in The Grogans catalogue of songs to enjoy.” – Livewire Au
“The Grogans have emerged from the waves with seaweed on their head and they’re entertaining the whole beach with this surging surf rock.” – Declan Byrne, triple j Home and Hosed
Melbourne genre-bending trio The Grogans are back with their latest single ‘No Thanks (I’m Going Surfing)’, a lighthearted playful surf rock bop that was written in between lockdowns throughout 2021. Out Friday 26 August, ‘No Thanks (I’m Going Surfing)’ is an instant bop with its playful and amusing lyrics and the final single ahead of their upcoming album, Which Way Is Out, set to be released on Friday 28 October via Cousin Will Records, with vinyl pre-orders available now.
A song about politely putting your needs above what sometimes can be expected of you in a particular situation, in this case going for a surf, ‘No Thanks (I’m Going Surfing)’ follows the band’s recent success of ‘Just A Kid’, ‘Be Your Man’, and ‘Inside My Mind’, collectively added to Spotify’s New Music Friday AU & NZ, Fresh Finds AU & NZ, Rock Out, and Local Noise playlists, plus music video adds on Rage and MTV.
“We’re all very lucky for the relationships we have with the people around us and are so grateful for the time we spend with them, but sometimes you need to prioritise the importance of doing your own thing and being with your own thoughts. The ocean really gives us that escape, which is what inspired this song.” – The Grogans
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