Answered by: Mish Sharma – Vocals and Piano, Luke Kleinschmidt – Guitar, Bass and Synths, and Jordan Miller – Drums and Percussion.
Where are you currently based?
Luke: We are a Brisbane based alt rock/metal band.
Please tell us about the inspiration behind your latest single “Martyr”?
Mish: Martyr is written about the specific moment you realize that you need to break out of a narcissistic abuse cycle. I wrote the lyrics after a therapy session which was focused on processing the aftermath of leaving a narcissistic abuse coercive control relationship.
What’s the story or message you’re trying to convey in the lyrics of “Martyr”?
Mish: This song is very much based on my own experience. The lyrics explore the victim grappling with the reality of the situation and deciding to leave; even though the trauma brain is persistent about staying because it feels “familiar”. I was in a vulnerable place when I wrote my parts (like always I bare it all in my music), particularly because narcissistic abuse is a complex multi-layered beast, it can happen to anyone in any type of relationship. There is so much unlearning of false beliefs, grieving, and integrating fractured parts of yourself, but it all starts with someone gathering all their courage and deciding that they will no longer accept this treatment. The message is that it can happen to anyone, and it doesn’t make the victim “weak,” “broken,” or “a problem”; your physical and psychological safety is more important than what anyone would think of you.
How did the creative process for “Martyr” differ from your previous work?
Luke: This song was made from 2 separate ideas I was working on simultaneously. I wanted to write a riff around an “ambient guitar” and I added layers around that for the intro and verse; whereas for the chorus I wanted a kind of staccato-esque start to it, to make it punchy.
Mish: I had written the verse and chorus vocal parts for a completely different song, I was singing those along to the demo track for Martyr as a joke but it worked so well that we decided to keep it. Usually I write my parts from scratch.
Were there any challenges you faced while recording “Martyr,” and how did you overcome them?
Mish: The writing process was quite seamless, we tend to do a lot of work remotely and then get together to arrange/fine-tune our parts. We worked with Kalen Austin Productions to record this track and our previous single ‘Damaged’ over three days. On the day we were tracking vocals for Martyr, I had missed my antidepressant dose which gave me brain zaps and I also had a chronic pain flare up. This combination helped me deliver a really vulnerable performance, sometimes you just have to lean into however your mind, body, and voice is presenting. Kalen was really helpful in making the most out of the situation and even ended up singing harmonies on the chorus to give it an extra dimension. This inspired us to use Luke’s vocals live and now our set has multiple songs where Luke and I both sing.
How has the response from your fans been to “Martyr” compared to your previous releases?
Mish: So far we have been getting a lot of love on Martyr which we are so grateful for. It’s been very similar to our last single Damaged that came out in August. I think people are really enjoying the heavier instrumentation and the songwriting styles in both new tracks, compared to the previous releases.
General Band Questions
How did the band Torizon come together, and what’s the origin of the band’s name?
Mish: It started off as a bunch of song ideas after taking a short break from music to recover from a vocal cord injury. These ideas became more solid over time with the help of friends and session musicians who helped launch the band in 2019. Covid threw a lot of spanners in the works shortly after, but I am really proud of where we are now, it’s been amazing to see the band evolve since then.
The name is derived from the words torsion and event horizon in black holes. From a personal point of view, when life is difficult, it can feel like you are being sucked into a black hole but it’s important to remember that there is a horizon at the end of it all.
Could you describe the musical style and influences that shape your sound as a band?
Jordan: We have coined the term “petalcore” to define the two new singles and the EP we just finished writing – It’s alternative metal with pop sensibilities. As a collective we have a range of influences from metalcore to pop punk to alternative rock, emo and hip-hop which we draw from.
Luke: I feel that our sound comes from our own interpersonal styles. I’m influenced a lot by metalcore and modern metal. Whereas the others are influenced by alt rock, punk, pop… so it came together organically by blending those. I’d say we are definitely pop-metalcore or “petalcore” as we call it.
What is the most memorable live performance or concert experience you’ve had as a band?
Mish: Crowbar, Sydney with Opehus Omega and Triple Kill. We all drove together, it was a blast. The boys are hilarious – we made up silly tour games. Our set and sound was definitely one of the best it has been.
Luke: I would say, our Sydney show at the Crowbar. Great crowd, great sound guy, great bands – it felt like being in a room full of friends. The drive down and back and staying also helped in really cementing that show as my favorite at least.
Can you tell us about your songwriting process and how you collaborate as a band when creating new music?
Luke: Generally I start off with some riffs, sometimes even the full guitar structure, then add bass and synth. Mish and Jordan would then go through and add their magic. We then get together in front of the recording session, and go back and forth with what works and what doesn’t, and any ideas that we come up with. After that we will go through and re-record our parts – rinse and repeat the process until we are happy. Then we will practice it live in our rehearsal space a few times to see how it feels and make any last tweaks. I think the biggest help in our collaborating to finish a song is that we are open to hearing criticisms and ideas, and we leave egos at the door, and just care about the music.
Jordan: Luke is a riff machine. He generates a lot of the ideas then Mish and I come in with our parts and we shape the structure as a band. We all have our own home studios which speeds up the writing process.
Are there any upcoming projects or albums in the works for Torizon that fans can look forward to?
Mish: Yes we spent 8 months writing our next EP. We will be recording it in early 2024. Expect an overall heavier sound, a deeper guitar tuning, breakdowns as well as soft and raw passages. We are also booking interstate shows so definitely expect some tours.
How has your music evolved since you first formed as a band, and what direction do you see it heading in the future?
Luke: The sound has gone through a couple of changes in.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2023 going into 2024?
Jordan: We have one more show (unannounced) to finish the year off where we will be debuting some of our newest material. 2024 will see us recording a new EP, touring, writing more songs so we are at least a couple of releases ahead. Really excited to show what we have been working on behind the scenes.
https://www.facebook.com/torizonband
Jake, can you tell us more about the inspiration behind “Late Nights” and how the song came to be?
So the song was kind of taken from a couple of different instances, and then we just made it a tad more extreme. It was inspired by a culmination of events from both my past and Josh’s that we just turned into one story. The song came to be as we were a bit unsure of what to write about that day, and after changing to that opening guitar line, we immediately started to talk about the topic of who wins the breakup.
The song is about the need for victory after a breakup. Can you elaborate on the emotions and experiences that influenced the lyrics?
Yeah, the experience was more so just based on that awkwardness between mutual friends when you recite the story to them, and they inevitably take sides. We went through a whole bunch of scenarios when writing the song to really put ourselves into the situation in order to write a relatable song.
“Late Nights” seems to touch on the idea of ‘winning’ a breakup. What message or perspective were you trying to convey with this concept?
The perspective we were trying to convey was about the mutual friends who are left to take sides in the messy situation. It highlights how someone’s reputation can be so easily tarnished by a breakup like this and the desire to almost cover ground in ensuring you haven’t lost friendships out of all of this.
The song opens with a meandering guitar line and a sense of heartbreak. How did the musical elements contribute to the overall mood of the track?
The musical elements contribute greatly to the mood of the song. We actually started that day making a completely different song which was piano-based. Eventually, we moved to the guitar, and we wrote a completely different song in the end. The overall mood of that guitar line completely changed the trajectory of the day; we were a bit lacking in energy for the first hour or so, and then after that guitar line came in, it changed our whole outlook, not only for the song but for the day ahead. The lingering sound of the guitar helped us develop some themes straight away such as hindsight and lack of closure.
Could you share some insights into the creative process of working with co-writer/producer Josh King on this song and how it contributed to the final product?
Working with Josh is great, not only have I now got a great mate out of all this, but we have some great songs to come. We tend to start our songs with a lead instrument and then we go straight to the drawing board where we list all the themes we want to talk about in the song. Throughout the sessions, we are known to take a few breaks during the day to do the necessities such as Basketball, Soccer, and footy along with getting food. Josh and I like to bounce a lot of ideas off one another and often just follow the process of elimination when deciding what melodies we will use in certain sections. For “Late Nights,” we were incredibly focused on ensuring from start to finish, the song had an easy-to-follow storyline. While we wrote the song pretty quickly for the most part, every word was contemplated and had its place.
The chorus of “Late Nights” appears to be a moment of emotional release. What was the thought process behind this part of the song?
That’s exactly how we envisioned it as well, this kind of letting go feeling in the chorus. We wanted the chorus to be bold straight from the start, and that’s why there’s that big moment right away. This triumphant moment is echoed through the words ‘tried to let it go’ which are sung in the chorus.
Can you walk us through the writing process and how it evolved in the studio?
As mentioned earlier, we look to create themes and topics for the song straight away so we know exactly what we want to delve into. For instance, with “Late Nights,” we were really focused on the ideas of fragility and closure, which allude to the question we base the song around of who wins the breakup. While writing the lyrics, we often just play the section on loop and freestyle a melody we like and add some words in as we go.
You worked with mixing and mastering professionals to bring “Late Nights” to life. How did their contributions impact the final version of the song?
Yeah, in the mixing process, we really saw “Late Nights” come to life; the song started to really come together, and the sound we were pushing came across really nicely. It was the same with mastering; after we got it back, we knew the song was ready to go, and we were stoked with the outcome.
What did Blake Malone and Leon Zervos bring to the table in terms of enhancing the song’s sound and quality?
I really liked the demo we had of “Late Nights,” but at the time, it didn’t feel special until we got the mix back from Blake, and we were both a bit shocked. All the elements of the instrumentals, the ambience, and everything else we had built started to come together, and it was a little bit surprising. Blake gave us a really great mix that so many people compliment when hearing the song, and he was a great third opinion on the song. Leon was great as well, the quality of sound after receiving the master back was second to none, once again just enhanced the song.
You mentioned that “Late Nights” is a collaboration with Josh King. Can you tell us more about your ongoing partnership and what we can expect from future collaborations?
For sure! Josh and I have been working together for around 1 and a half years now after someone connected us, and “Late Nights” is the third song we worked on together. We have many to come still, we’ve completed a fair few and aim to release them all over the next little period. Josh and I have really tried to create a signature sound which is reflected in all of our collaborations to come, and I’m very excited to release them one by one.
How do you see “Late Nights” fitting into your overall musical journey and the evolution of your sound as an artist?
“Late Nights” is my first real demonstration of my new refined sound. After not releasing and more or less starting from scratch over the last few years, I feel “Late Nights” fits the build really nicely of the sound I intend to keep going with. I only hope to go up with my music quality from here, and I feel the next release does that. “Late Nights” was the perfect song for me to step back into the world of releasing music again and to re-establish myself as a musician.
“Late Nights” is now available on streaming platforms. What can listeners expect from this track, and what other projects or releases can we anticipate from you in the near future?
Listeners can expect to hear an uplifting break-up song that you can really sing along to. Next year you can expect a couple of new singles coming out pretty early on in the year.
When and where are you playing next?
I’ve got nothing booked at the moment, but I’m sure there will be something coming up in the near future.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2023 going into 2024?
For the rest of 2023, I plan to just really get the most out of “Late Nights,” and then early into 2024, I’ll be coming out with more singles which will eventually lead into an EP.
Socials – Instagram – musicbyjakestone
Where are you currently based? Sydney.
How did the band form? I recorded a solo album in 2020 and got my brother Simon (drums) and my mate Cameron (bass) to play on it and we did a few shows as a 4 piece with our friend Wesley on keys. Wesley is a very talented and busy musician and wanted to focus on his own projects (his band is called Sun Affair – check it out!), so we needed a new person to join the group. Michael (guitar) and I have been good friends for a few years and he had gotten to know Simon and Cameron too – we all agreed he was the perfect fit for the band – and he definitely brought some swagger to the band for sure – and here we are!
What’s been happening recently? We’ve just released our debut album “Phoning It In”! It’s been a pretty busy year in the lead up recording, playing shows, releasing singles and some film clips too!
What or who influenced the sound and songwriting for your latest album? I had been listening to alot of 70’s/80’s Power Pop (Blondie, Buzzcocks, The Jam) at the time of writing these songs and those influences definitely made their way into the album.
How did you go about writing the album? I wrote alot of it during the 2021 lockdown in Sydney. I wanted to make some upbeat music to shrug off the frustrating situation we were all in. I sent solo demo’s to the band and then as soon as we could be together, we started to work out all of their parts. Then we played a few of the songs live before we recorded them, which I find is always a good test and helps to tighten the arrangements.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with? It was self produced at a few different locations (mainly our homes) from December 2022 to mid 2023 and was mastered by Steve Smart at Studios 301 Sydney.
What does this album mean to you? I wrote most of these songs at a challenging time in my life both professionally and personally. These songs really got me through a tough time – so I guess I see it as a testament to resilience. But despite all the hardships, we made a really fun record and enjoyed the process.
Please tell us about your upcoming tour and what we can expect? The “Phoning It In” Tour kicks off with our hometown Album Launch in Sydney at The Vanguard on October 27. From there we’re heading up and down the coast to Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, Melbourne, Bonny Hills, Brisbane, Bathurst and Katoomba (Blue Mountains). Our show is energentic and fun – we put everything into our shows and we love to share the good vibes with everyone – get your dancing shoes ready!
What’s planned for the remainder of 2023 going into 2024? The Tour will finish up at the end of November and then we’ll take a well-earned break for a bit. We have some things in the pipeline for 2024 – so watch this space!
Who are you listening to at the moment? I’ve been enjoying the latest Queens of the Stone Age and Blur albums. Bethany Cosentino’s debut album is great too! And I’m a big fan of The Replacements, who just did a reissue of their album “Tim” – one of my favourite albums!
Favourite food and place to hangout? At the moment it’s probably a good slice of Pepperoni Pizza. I just like to hang out with friends wherever and whenever I can – probably at a pub!
Where are you currently based?
I’m in a quiet suburban area in the Melbourne’s south-east. Nature is my biggest creative inspiration so in a perfect world I would live by the coast and/or lots of bushland.
How did you first start playing music?
As a reluctant yet talented child dragged by my mother to weekly piano lessons. I hated practicing but I loved music and even started composing and writing my own songs from about 9 years old.
What’s been happening recently?
In my little corner of the time-space continuum, I have been rehearsing lots with my band, recording and producing more new music and brainstorming how to film a music video which is set in a lounge room submerged in a swimming pool. Stay tuned!
Your latest single ‘Kitschy Coo’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
I wrote the song very quickly – or it wrote itself, as sometimes happens – after a late night watching a gig. Someone I idolised was up on stage and seeing them perform was a reality check for me as I realised they were nothing like I had imagined.
What does this track mean to you?
The track has grown in meaning over time and it’s sound has changed; it became groovier, more fun and light-hearted. I still have no clue why I started singing ‘kitschy kitschy coo’ for the choruses but it stuck! Now the song serves as a cheeky reminder to beware of unfounded infatuation with people you only know from a distance.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
I recorded ‘Kitschy Coo’ over the last year with Simon Rigoni from 2-Inch Tape at his Room 29 Studio. I think things took a long time because we were getting used to each other’s working process and figuring out the best way to produce the track.
How did you approach the recording process?
This song definitely took a journey to end up where it is now! We started with the basic guitar tracks and a scratch vocal and then added, added and added some more. At some point I felt I could hear some strings, especially through the bridge which needed a lush, majestic treatment. So I wrote parts for a 6-piece string ensemble and played them all myself. Other parts included congas, a 12-string guitar, multiple backing vocals, synths and organs.
Simon complained (probably justifiably so) a lot about the number of tracks – it made mixing somewhat challenging!
Any shows coming up?
Yes! On October 15th we’re doing a huge launch show at Shotkickers in Thornbury from 2pm. Crumbe are launching their debut album; 2-Inch Tape are launching the single ‘What I Need’; and Fawkner Walking Society are launching their single ‘Cheddar Road’. They’re calling it ‘the launch party to beat all launch parties’.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I love Eloise’s album Drunk on a Flight. The production and the song-writing as well as her voice and those keys are just divine. Also I’ve been roller-skating lately to a soundtrack of 1950s doo-wop swoon nuggets.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2023 going into 2024?
Launching ‘Kitschy Coo’ and the music video is my major milestone for this year and still an ongoing project. I’m planning to get out and be gigging more over the summer, solo, in my duo Duxie & Luxie, and with my band. I will also continue working on recording and production for the other songs I’ve got in the pipeline. And of course I will spend an inordinate amount of time at the beach and in a swimming pool.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
A perfectly cooked authentic Italian pasta with lots of oil, salt and cheese! Also, bubble tea.
Favourite hang-out is my secret underground roller-skating car park.
Where are you currently based?
I am based in Penticton, British Columbia in Canada.
How did you first start playing music?
I grew up with a piano in my home, and I would always fiddle around with notes, so my parents then got me into piano lessons. I eventually started looking up my favourite songs and finding the lyrics and chords, and then I would play and sing them. I have videos on my childhood iPad of me singing and playing with the iPad propped up on the piano shelf right in front of my face. The videos are pretty hilarious and precious at the same time. Good memories – haha!
What’s been happening recently?
For the past 7 months, I’ve been working on my 5-song debut EP ‘Yours Truly’ with Brian West and Ryan Stewart. It’s been a very exciting and inspiring time recording music and being in the studio working with such talented producers.
I just released the first single off the EP, “Mr. Super Fine”, and the rest of the songs will be released over the next 6 months .
Your latest single “Mr. Super Fine” is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
I wanted to create a fun-loving story with a bubbly, very pop sound.
“Mr. Super Fine” is influenced by young love and my experiences with it so far. I’m only 19, so I don’t have tons of experience, but what I do know is the feeling of meeting someone new and having the feeling of curiosity, being hopeful, and excited. It’s such a fun feeling finding someone you click with and hoping they feel the same way and want to keep getting to know you.
How did this single come about?
I was sitting at my piano in my studio just fiddling around with chords and melodies and then randomly came up with the line “Mr. Super Fine, when can I call you mine” and thought that was a pretty good catch line so built upon that.
What does “Mr. Super Fine” mean to you?
“Mr. Super Fine” means someone who I feel like is my Prince Charming. In the moment, when you just meet someone, everything feels so shiny and new. You don’t know much about this person, but what you do know is how you feel around them. Nothing is complicated yet, it’s just exciting. So to me, “Mr. Super Fine” means the feelings of fun, exciting, hopeful young love.
Where and when did you record/produce/master?
I recorded “Mr. Super Fine” in April in Vancouver with Ryan Stewart, who produced the song. It was mastered by Bradley from Mr. Smith Productions.
Please tell us about your experience with producer Ryan Stewart:
I’ve worked with Ryan Stewart before and he’s always such a pleasure to work with. His studio environment is relaxing and comfortable and it’s such an inspiring space. He is super organized and we get down to creating right away and the process is quite quick when things are rolling.
Ryan is very creative and it’s very cool seeing him put the beat to the song and all the additional sounds to make it come to life. The whole studio experience is amazing and I love it so much.
How does this track fit in with your debut EP that’s coming in 2024?
My EP “Yours Truly” targets many subjects such as body image, mental health, some young love as well as some of the struggles with love.
“Mr. Super Fine” fits well in my opinion as it’s a fun loving, happy track that brings some light to the EP and contrasts some of the other more serious topics.
Any live shows coming up?
Yes! I am beyond stoked to be opening for the Juno Award-winning Good Lovelies on October 26th at The Creekside theatre in Lake Country.
How has Taylor Swift inspired you to play music?
I went to the 1989 tour in Vancouver with my mom and Taylor put on an exceptional performance. I saw the way she interacted with the crowd, her stage presence, her energy, and the whole environment was surreal.
I knew after watching that concert and seeing her passion for music come alive and light up the stage that I wanted to pursue a career in music.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
At the moment, I’m listening to Tate McRae, Taylor Swift as always, Sia, and Jamie Fine to list a few. I’m always listening to many artists though.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2023?
For the remainder of 2023, I’m performing at venues throughout the Okanagan, planning and filming music videos for the next singles getting released and – as always – writing new music!
Favourite food and place to hangout?
My favourite food is probably fries. My favourite place to hangout would be either the beach during the summer with my friends , or if I’m by myself, it would definitely be my home studio.
TikTok: @chaycekennedymusic
Instagram: @ChayceKennedyMusic
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YouTube: @ChayceKennedyMusic
Where are you currently based?
Melbourne, Australia.
How and when did the band form?
We formed in 2021, though I (Josh) started writing in 2020. Jack joined first with Jordyn joining about a year later.
What’s been happening recently?
We’ve launched our first single which is super exciting to finally get that out into the world!
Now we’re preparing to launch more music in the coming months.
Your single ‘Star’ is out now which is off your upcoming EP out on November 24, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
Honestly it’s hard to pinpoint it haha we have so many different influences. At the time I loved the grunge vibes from bands like Narrow Head and Fleshwater but then I also was digging bands like Citizen and Teenage wrist (along with a heap of others). I didn’t really think too much about our sound and just went with what felt right.
What does this track mean to you?
It means the world! Being one of the songs I first wrote for this band, it’s awesome to finally get it out there.
What can we expect from your upcoming EP?
There’s a lot of variety, from mosh-worthy riffs to catchy lyrics, I think there’s something in it for everyone.
Where did you record/produce/master?
Chris Vernon produced, mixed and mastered.
How did you approach the recording process?
We went in with an open mind and basically let Chris throw any ideas at us we had and collaborated with that to try and make it the best we could.
Any shows coming up?
Not as of yet though we’ve been working hard in the rehearsal room perfecting our live performance.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2023?
We’ve got some more releases coming, dropping a music video for our next single, as well as something else in December which is a bit of a secret for now 😉
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Home made pizza and probably on the couch playing mario kart haha.
Where are you currently based?
We are based out of Melbourne’s west and playing shows in an around Melbourne
How did the band form?
The band came together after Jordan and Nathan wrapped up with a band after about 3 years of playing around Melbourne. The boys were keen to keep writing and playing and reached out. We first crossed paths at a battle of the bands where I performed with a band I was with in high school. We began jamming and tried a couple of different drummers until I floated the idea with Sam, who was a friend of mine from uni, about joining and he was beyond keen.
What’s been happening recently?
We most recently played a show with our mates in Future Static before they Jetsetted over to Europe. We have also been in and out of the studio with our producer Chris Lalic (Windwaker) writing and recording.
Your latest single ‘Wreck-less’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
So this was a track that we worked on alongside our last single ‘The Inbetween’. We had previously written some heavier, darker tunes with big riffs and cool synth elements and we wanted to explore and expand on that further. We experimented a little more with electronic tones and came up with some really fun, energetic songs that get your head bopping. Jordan and Nathan were heavily inspired by the League of Legends soundtracks and their goal was to write the next theme for League of Legends Worlds.
How did this track come about?
The same way we have written most of our tunes, but just experimenting. The writing process for this and ‘The Inbetween’ had been our first time working with Lalic and we went into the process bright eyed and ready to try something new. We picked a couple inspo songs that we liked the sounds of as well as what we had all been listening to recently. From there we started playing around with chords and synths, messing with a whole heap of different sounds and combos until we find something we like. I (Mac) spend most of my time humming along, coming up with melodies that Lalic and I will throw back and forth until we are happy with something.
From here I separate from the group and write the lyrics. For ‘Wreck-less’ I wanted to try something different than my usual style and I decided to pick a topic and use buzz words relating to it to come up with the lyric structure. A little technique I picked up in one of my songwriting classes at uni.
What does Wreck-less mean to you?
‘Wreck-less’ is all about self-actualisation and finding yourself in spite of any outside influences. It talks about wanting to be everything or try to be everything but still remaining true to yourself.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
We worked with Chris Lalic on this tune, who did all of the drum production. He really got what we were trying to achieve and the different direction we were trying to take, capturing our vision. Sam worked with Chris Blancato to get the drums sounding amazing. The last piece of the puzzle was the music video and Colin Jeffs (Ten of Swords Media) made a banger of a clip for us. There were a whole heap of people behind the scenes that helped our video to come to life, so shout out to Bridget (Alt Affect) and Lauren (Makeup artist) who helped us look our hottest on camera.
How did you approach the recording process?
We hadn’t worked with Chris before and this was the first song that we ended up working on and wrapping up. We worked with different people for our previous releases and didn’t really know what to expect. Chris really had a great approach to helping build the foundations of the track and the rest of it just fell into place.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
There is so much amazing stuff around at the moment, especially in and around Melbourne. I’ve been listening to The Motion Below and The Last Martyr. We played some shows with Nth Rd last year and their latest is awesome. I’m also super keen for Bring Me The Horizon’s upcoming release later this year.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2023?
We have a show coming up with RinRin (WA) and some other amazing bands in November at Stay Gold. Hit us up on socials and let us know if you’re planning to come down and hang out. Outside of that, we are keen to get to as many gigs as possible and enjoy the summer weather!
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Nothing beats chips and gravy from the local charcoal chicken shop and my favourite place to hang out would be at home on the couch with my dog, Jack and a good book.
Photo Credit: Charles Dean
Where are you currently based?
SIG SALI – Bristol, UK.
Natassa Zoë – Sydney, Australia.
What’s been happening recently?
Danny: It’s been a really productive year. I built a studio and haven’t stopped making music since. Imogen and I brought our friend Tommy on board to write with us and it’s going really well. We’re planning some gigs and have plenty more music on its way!
How did SIG SALI form and why did you start?
Danny: SIG SALI originally formed as a sibling project between myself and Natassa Zoë and friend Imogen Chapman. We started the project sending each other files between England and Australia during covid and took our name from Sigsaly, a communication system used in the second world war. When we were able to travel again Natassa came back home to Bristol and that’s when the writing process really started to take off. We had our own bands at the time and SIG SALI was a side project that we both wanted to play around with and now it’s become my main focus.
Your latest single ‘Pillow Thoughts’ is out now on September 22, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
Danny: The songwriting was definitely influenced by a situation Natassa was going through with someone at that time, so we are thanking them for the gift right now. I pretty much had a blank mind when I started to put the track together, but once the bass synth and drums were down I remember knowing exactly how I wanted the rest of the song to sound, so I guess that was the main influence behind the sound.
How did you go about writing Pillow Thoughts?
Natassa: We wrote Pillow Thoughts in August 2022. I had a couple of very big shows coming up and I was going through a tough time with a person I was seeing, so Dan decided to jump on a plane and come and support me here in Sydney. While he was here we wrote Pillow Thoughts together. We didn’t really have an intention of sitting down and writing it, I can remember coming home after a run and just hearing these really deep, bassy, drum beats from outside the front door and as soon as I walked in I just started writing. I guess I didn’t really ask for permission, which is one of the awesome things about working with my brother.
I went off into my room and wrote the lyrics and melody and came back with a couple of ideas for the guitar and we quickly popped it all down. I guess the lyrics came easy for me as it was reflective of the situation I was going through with someone.
The track then just sat on Dan’s laptop for a bit while I was on tour and then when I went back home to the UK in June this year we put the vocals down with Imogen in his studio.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
Natassa: We recorded the song in Sydney, Australia and Bristol, UK. Danny produced the track and Klaus Hill mixed and mastered it for us.
How did you approach the recording process?
Danny: It was different. Usually after getting the basics down I’d find myself thinking “this sounds like X” or “this bit sounds like Y” then kind of vibe off that and make it our own. Pillow Thoughts was just its own thing from the start. The song came together quickly, but the recording took a while to get everything sounding exactly how we wanted it.
How did you come to work with Natassa Zoe for this single and how was the experience?
Danny: We had previously worked together on a song called ‘Reasons’ and as Natassa mentioned, ‘Pillow Thoughts’ came together while I was visiting her in Sydney. The experience was like no other. I mean, studios in the British countryside with lush surroundings and amazing facilities are great, but you can’t just run downstairs and jump in the ocean during a ten minute break. It was literally that.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Danny: I’m listening to a lot of dance stuff at the moment. Kavinsky, Jon Hopkins, Bicep. Also on my playlist right now is Bleachers, Maggie Rogers and as always, The National.
Natassa: I’m listening to so much of Wolf Alice and the latest Yeah Yeah Yeahs album.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2023?
Danny: Hopefully another SIG SALI banger before the year’s out. I’m keeping myself busy writing with a few songwriters/producers for a creative publishing company which is really fun!
Natassa: I’m in the process of writing some tracks that Danny is helping to produce and back in the studio later this year with my band Dande and The Lion for some more recording.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Danny: Well I actually went on a mad burger binge back in Sydney and haven’t stopped burgerin’ since. I think I had like nine in two weeks. Still alive. Natassa, what was that place called where it was really dark, red lit, writing on the walls? The burgers there were outrageously good.
Natassa: So Dan is referring to Mary’s Newtown and I’m vegetarian so it was interesting watching him vibe out on some chunky meat. Glad he had a good time though.
I’m into Thai food and Mediterranean at the moment, and places to hang out when I’m not gigging would probably be in the ocean or in nature somewhere with a few trees.
LISTEN
Where are you currently based?
We are based in Adelaide SA.
How did Loaded Billy form?
I had returned to Adelaide after being based in Sydney for 20 years. My long time close friend Trevor Moyle had returned to Adelaide a couple of years earlier after living in Canada. Trevor is a guitarist and we had played in bands together when we were much younger lads. Trevor and I started jamming and we realised the creative spark was still there so we decided to form a band which eventually became Loaded Billy.
What’s been happening recently?
The past few months have been hectic and busy with the release of 2 singles and 2 video’s, then the album. With the release there’s always media and radio to follow up here and overseas plus social media: sometimes it feels like its endless keeping the wheels turning. Loaded Billy are very much a live band so we tend to play gigs at least monthly, plus we are always writing new songs.
Your album ‘Legend’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting/
That’s an interesting question for us. Everybody in the band has been playing and performing original music for many years now and are exceptionally competent musicians. We all grew up with and love 70’s & 80’s hard rock, that era of music stands the test of time and is still relevant and played on radio.
We never sat down and discussed how we should sound or how we should write, we just put songs together and let them become what they are today on the album.
However, when one reflects and listens to their own music we do hear influences that creep in. Bands like Pink Floyd, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Budgie – a lot of music from the NWOBHM period (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) – I think music that you grow up with stays with you. We laugh sometimes and go “oh now I know where that idea comes from”
How did you go about writing Legend?
Trevor the guitarist would write a riff and a basic verse chorus pattern and then he and I would jam this out, just guitar and drums to get a groove going and then record it. I or the singer would then write a lyric. With a basic song established we then get the whole band into the studio and complete the song. Everyone at this point can have input into the song. The song is recorded so we can hear how it’s working, how the parts are fitting together. We’ll make changes where needed, but that is basically it.
What does this album mean to you?
It means a lot to get these songs out there and share them with everyone. It also means we can now put our focus and energy into new songs and recording.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
The record was made completely at Loudtoys Studio in Adelaide during most of 2022 and the 2 video’s were the end of 2022 and April 2023. I, Willi Gutwein produced the entire record although there was plenty of ideas and input from all the band. My son Sam Gutwein who owns Loudtoys Studio engineered the record. My son and I did the initial mixes for the album. It was mastered by the legendary Rick O’Neil at Turtlerock mastering. Everything on the album was performed entirely by the band with some additional midi programming by Sam Gutwein.
How did you approach the recording process?
First we did pre-production where all the songs were recorded live as a band to hear how the songs were sounding and if we were happy with the arrangements. This also allows individual members to listen to their parts and make adjustments or changes. Then the recording process begins.
The tracking of the songs was completely analogue which we wanted as Loudtoys Studio is set up for this. Lots of vintage mics and analogue vintage signal processing hardware going into a 32 channel analogue mixing console. From there the tracks went into Pro Tools. The recording process was old skool, no sampling, no tricks. When you’ve got great experienced players there’s little need for overdubbing or fixing things. James Chamings vocals were double tracked on every song old skool style: kudos to his vocal ability.
What do you have planned for Legend?
Like everybody, to conquer the world. Seriously, we just want to get the songs out to as many people as possible both here and overseas and get the band playing more live shows.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
For new music: Wolf & Chain especially their new single ’Phantom’ For old skool: always some Budgie. Then there’s Red Dragon Cartel or Ozzy Osbourne or Disturbed. I also love ABC’s classic radio station.
Where are you playing next?
The Cumberland Hotel Glanville SA – Sat 4th Nov
SOTSC MC Clubrooms Lonsdale SA – Sat 2nd Dec
What’s planned for the remainder of 2023?
Now that the album is out we will be back in the studio writing and recording a bunch of new songs
Favourite food and place to hang out?
I Love Thai food. Hangout a lot at Flava Café which is on the Esplanade at Christies Beach SA. It’s got a magnificent view of the beach and lots of very cool cars and motorbikes cruise up and down all day. Great place to hang and chill.
Where are you currently based?
Melbourne
How did you first start playing music?
Playing along to Rolling Stones records with a cardboard guitar covered in aluminium foil with my brother when we were kids.
What’s been happening recently?
Finishing up the album and spending time with my little family. My partner and I had our second baby a year ago a beautiful baby girl, so having two young kids takes up quite a bit of time at the moment!
Your latest single ‘Into The Blue’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
How did you go about writing Into The Blue?
The way most songs begin for me is playing around on the guitar or piano, then gradually getting some kind of structure and melody. I had the song for a little while but didn’t know how to finish the lyrics or what the song was about. Then I re-watched the film Into The Wild, which is about a kid named Chris McCandless who gave away his money and left society behind by wandering into the Alaskan wilderness. It’s a story that really resonates with me, and the lyrics kind of started to all fill in around that theme. It’s also quite a hopeful song I think about taking a huge risk or a chance and trusting that everything will work out.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
It was recorded in an old church hall which sits on the property of producer Josh Barber in the rural community of Mollongghip. We wanted to capture the natural sound of the space on the recording, and I think it comes through in this song especially.
How did you approach the recording process?
It’s generally pretty relaxed. We did half the record just us two and half the record with a full band. When it’s just Josh and me together in the studio we’ll get the guitar down first, then a guide vocal and both gradually add instruments and try different things over the course of the afternoon, as well as recreating any parts we want to keep from the demo. When it’s a full band we’ll generally run through each song 3-4 times and just work through the day until all the songs are done, then record the vocals afterwards and add any horns/strings etc at a later date if they’re needed. It’s usually more about capturing a moment in time and embracing happy accidents/improvisations than going in with a rigid/set goal in mind.
Where and when did you film the music video and what was the inspiration?
This was filmed live at the offices/studio of a collective of creatives by an amazing cinematographer named Mike Ridley. We filmed two videos in the space so in order to make them visually different the idea was to have me walk around the space while singing for Into The Blue. It was a little tricky as the sound person had to try to keep the mic close to me while following me as well as staying out of shot, no easy task with a mirror and so many other reflective surfaces in the space!
Please tell us about your upcoming sophomore album to be released this year:
It’s called Into The Blue, which means to vanish or disappear without a trace and is a theme I seem to keep coming back to in my writing. Most of the songs on the record revolve around that idea as well as escape, death, redemption and the end of the world.
Which artists influence your music and sound?
Elliott Smith is my all time favourite and Tom Petty is the artist I listen to the most day to day. I don’t know whether that necessarily comes through in the sound though, listening back to the album I feel like I can hear influences of artists like Neil Young, Beck and Bruce Springsteen. I just love really classic songwriting.
Your music has appeared in a number of hit American TV shows like Locke and Key (Netflix), The Walker (The CW) and Better Things (FX), how did this come about?
Back when I released my very first single Wasted Light, an agent in LA who really loved it reached out and offered to represent my music over there, and just gradually he kept placing more and more songs. I think it’s still his favourite song of mine, and one he still wants to see placed on TV.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2023?
Releasing the album, heading up to Newcastle to spend Christmas with family and hopefully start working on songs for the next release.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Pizza or Japanese. Favourite way to spend the day is head out of the city and spend some time in nature. Favourite spots lately are Hanging Rock, The Dandenong Ranges and The You Yangs.
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Hi legend,
Please see below for the Haast Hunter interview and content.
Can you please send through the Loaded Billy interview questions ASAP?
Haast Hunter x The Partae
Where are you currently based?
Hamilton, New Zealand.
How did Haast Hunter form?
6 years ago (I think) Rich (Drummer) put an Ad out in the local classifieds online. I answered. Ever since then we have been solid. Always writing and jamming together.
What’s been happening recently?
Studio! A lot of studio! We currently have a solid 7 additional tracks that have not been released. And more on the way!
Your latest single ‘Sunshine’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
“Sunshine” was one of the first songs Rich and I wrote together! Its taken many different forms over the years (different singers come and go). “Sunshine” has a strong focus on mental health. Everyone in the band has battled their own demons and their own way. This song is that middle ground. When you are just getting through that dark patch in your life, you can literally see the sunshine, you know what’s good for you, but you are still unsure of how to get there. (hope that makes sense!)
How did you go about writing Sunshine?
This just happened so naturally, lyrically it all just flowed. I love how it all unfolded, and the many different forms it has taken. I feel time did this one a solid. It had to mature before it was ready for the world.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
“The Lab” – A studio located in Auckland, NZ. I produced. Oliver Harmer did the recording, mix and master work.
How did you approach the recording process?
“Sunshine” was filmed in a live setting. Where we went at it for a few takes, once perfected, the drums became the foundation of the song. from there, the bass, guitars, synth were all overdubbed. I really enjoyed the process.
What does Sunshine mean to you?
It’s a special song, our first, suppose your first always has a soft spot in your heart huh?
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Everything from Post Malone’s new album, Queens of the stone age, even revisiting some classics from Fleetwood Mac.
Any shows coming up?
Yes! Jumping on a mini tour with “the sun gods”. Doing a local circuit – Hamilton, Auckland, Tauranga.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2023 going into 2024?
Keep playing, keep getting better, more studio time, more shows! Keep consistent. We are wanting to spread the good word and get more eyes and ears on Hasst Hunter!
“Serpent Seeker” – Our next single is due to drop October 13th!
Favourite food and place to hangout?
My kitchen. I would never leave if I didn’t have to. Maybe to stock up on food…eggs. Love me some eggs!
Where are you currently based?
The Cookin’ crew are spread out across inner northern and eastern parts of Naarm/Melbourne.
What’s been happening recently?
We’ve been hard at it pushing the word out for this brand spankin 7 inch vinyl release. Cookin’ On 3 Burners are pretty DIY these days, running their own label Soul Messin’ Records and building on our community of funk and soul lovers worldwide.
How would you describe the band’s sound to a first time listener?
Sweet soul and dirty dancefloor funk.
Your latest single ‘I’m Comin Home To You’ featuring Stella Angelico is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
We wanted to write a stomping soul banger that makes the most of combining our classic organ trio breakbeat sound with Stella’s 60s vocal leanings.
How did you come to work with Stella and how was the experience?
So great! We’ve been collaborating with Stella for the last couple of years live and she totally kills on stage. This new single was an awesome opportunity for us to capture some of that fire on record. The writing process was pretty sweet too, Stella got on a great vibe lyrically and was into all the musical ideas we put forward – we actually got four tracks written and recorded over that period.
What does this single mean to you?
Coming home to where the goodness is – where it’s been all along.
Where and when did you record and who did you work with?
We recorded the guts of this tune live to analog tape at our own Soul Messin’ Studios. Our Hammond organ player Jake Mason was on tracking and mixing duties and we all co-produced it. Once we had the mix feeling sweet, we took it to local legend Lachlan Carrick for mastering. We had the vinyl pressed in Germany and it’s super warm and punchy.
You’re playing on Friday 15 September at the Northcote Social Club in Melbourne, what can we expect from your show?
We are going to do a banging instrumental funk set and then a full set of vocal tracks with Stella Angelico. We also have the fabulous HAYCH playing support with her new band and PBS FM’s own Miss Goldie holding it down on vinyl duties between sets.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Lotsa local legends Surprise Chef, Menagerie, Izy, Thndo, Steady Weather, Elle Shimada, Joelistics – get across them!
What’s planned for the remainder of 2023 going into 2024?
A hot new full length album, some feature shows and some festival spots.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Marios Brunswick Street – so old school, so good!
‘I’M COMIN’ HOME TO YOU’ is out now.
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Where are you currently based?
We are from Melbourne, Australia!
How did the band form?
Lily and Pearl met at the hospital just after Pearl popped out of the womb – we’re sisters! Henry joined the band on drums a couple of years ago after we’d been playing with a range of different drummers and is now very much a part of Hot Glue, the band wouldn’t be the same without him.
What’s been happening recently?
We just released our debut album ‘Hatchet’! The whole process has been super exciting, including making our first music video for ‘Roadkill’ as well as launching it with a show at The Gasometer. The album has been a long time coming so it has been really awesome to finally share it with everyone.
Your debut album ‘Hatchet’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
Thematically the album focuses on forgiveness in its many forms; grudges, apologies, burying the hatchet. We realised halfway through recording that the whole album was about forgiveness as we’d unintentionally been writing about it for the last few years. Sonically we’re very attached to our fuzzy guitars and sisterly harmonies, possibly brought on by our love of The Breeders. While recording we tried out different sounds but always found ourselves drifting back to how we play it live with our simple three piece.
How did you go about writing Hatchet?
‘Hatchet’ is made up of songs we wrote over time after releasing our debut EP as well as a couple of other singles. Once we had about seven songs, we decided to turn them into an album and realised the songs we were writing were mostly about some form of forgiveness or resentment. We went into writing the last couple songs for the album with this in mind. Some of the songs we would write individually then bring to the band, or would be written together.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
We recorded ‘Hatchet’ at Hothouse Audio with our dad Craig Harnath who also mixed and mastered the album.
How did you approach the recording process?
Pretty much all of the songs we had been playing live for quite some time before we went to record them. We enjoyed coming up with new ideas and parts for the recordings, but ultimately kept them pretty close to the way we play them live. We love crunchy, fuzzy guitars and really embraced this on the record. Recording this album with our dad was really special, we already all hang out together a bunch so it was fun to make a record at the same time!
What does this album mean to you?
It feels amazing to have a full piece of work out in the world, especially one we love as much as Hatchet. Releasing feels like permission to forgive, be forgiven and move on. The songs are so cathartic for us, to play live and to have recorded, so it feels like an immense relief to finally have it out in the world.
Craig Harnath is the father of the two sister vocalists within the band, Craig has worked with loads of big bands over the years (Jet, Kylie Minogue etc) how has this musical connection affected your music and the band?
We’ve been really lucky to grow up in a family where music is celebrated, it’s always been such a big part of our lives and so many albums our parents love have soundtracked our childhood and influenced our own songwriting. Playing music has always been encouraged by our dad, but he very much allowed us to find our own path to starting a band.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Some bands we’re loving at the moment are Juice Webster, Alex G, Slow Pulp and Noah and the Coldmen.
(Here’s a link to our current favs playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0i6yft1BV9ehNSeHgpTrEU?si=28c0033227bc473f)
What’s planned for the remainder of 2023 going into 2024?
We have a couple of shows lined up around Melbourne on September 22nd supporting Ally Mac at The Catfish, on September 29th supporting Noah and the Coldmen at Mamma Chen’s and on September 30th supporting Carla Geneve at The Night Cat. We’re also planning to release another music video for one of the songs off the album very soon.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Northside we LOVE the burgers at The Retreat, especially pre-show. And we are also devoted patrons of The Banff in St Kilda and thoroughly enjoy their pizzas.
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hotgluetheband
Instagram: https://instagram.com/hotgluetheband/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/hotgluetheband/
Your EP “Respire” will be out on September 1, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
I think in terms of the overall sound, Respire was mostly influenced by artists such as Missy Higgins, as well as including my own fairly obvious flare. I love how Missy writes with such authenticity and also includes particular instruments into her songs, which add to the overall feel of the Track, specifically the use of strings.
In terms of song writing, I almost always write from a place of lived experience. I think we are all united in our journey through this world, although with obvious slight difference to accommodate individuality. I think being a musician allows for such an amazing expression of life and the overall human experience, to which I aim to stay true to by writing straight from my heart in order to connect with my audience.
How did you go about writing Respire?
This EP was written over a number of years, and as with the changing of life, so too the track evolved into what you hear today. My intention was to continue with the utmost authenticity, and in order to do so, some songs needed to be changed/added to. Once in the studio, I sat with each session musician and shared my vision and together we created each component to each song. Overall it was a tough, ye incredibly rewarding process!
What does this EP mean to you?
After being hit by a drunk driver and losing my daily functions, including losing the ability to play music, or even remember my songs to begin with, this EP is the culmination of many years of personal hard work. It serves not only as a personal “up yours” to the many who told me I wouldn’t amount to anything since my Brain Injury, but also as an example of how powerful you can be when you simply decide to choose the life you want. It is an extremely personal triumph for me and so very clearly means quite a lot!
Do you have any live shows coming up?
For the moment I don’t have any live shows planned, after tackling some relatively recent and lasting health issues, I am focusing on all the many other facets to being a musician! That said, there has been some talk of international shows on the horizon, so stay tuned!
What do you have planned for Respire?
I plan to get that bad boy out into the world and to use it as a means to spread a message of hope and inspiration to many! I am a regular person, from a regular background, I simply chose not to let the dire circumstances I found myself in, dictate my future. My hope is to show people that they too can overcome whatever difficulty they may face, and I stand with them.
You have been recovering from a traumatic brain injury after a car accident 7 years ago and relearning to play music, please tell us about what you have learned about overcoming obstacles and your passion for showing people that they can get through anything:
You can CHOOSE. The most beautiful and incredible power we all have, is the power of choice. My favourite thing about having the ability to choose, is that if by some chance you don’t like whatever it is you have chosen, guess what? You can choose again! Haha nothing is ever fixed, even if at first it does not seem it. It all starts with a thought.
I grew up with a saying on my bathroom wall that I never really took much notice of, until my life taught me its significance. It said “HARMONY – What happens to you does not matter. What you BECOME through those experiences is all that is significant. This is the true MEANING of life.”
What a blessing it is to be able to choose how to respond and come to understand how powerful each of us are!
Who are you listening to at the moment?
At the moment I am listening to a completely random mix of songs that I have been collating over the period of years! I don’t have any particular style of music that I mostly listen to, I love to keep my ears surprised with every banger from every kind of genre! Music is LIFE in all of its array!
What are some of the things that you enjoy about music?
I love how music has the ability to really get beneath your skin. I don’t believe music simple goes into our ears, I believe it goes smack bang like a shot from cupid to the heart! That’s why when we really hear a song we love, our body reacts with covering us in goosebumps! That is what it’s all about, the feeling of the song! So powerful! Makes life all the more enjoyable to experience!