Music Interviews

What is your name and role within Vetty Vials?

Vetty Vials – Vocals / Guitar / Boss lady.  

Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like there?

I am currently based in South Sydney about 30 minutes out of Sydney CBD, the Sydney scene has had its difficulties over the past few years with venues closing due to lockout laws but it is still alive and well with some really great bands and solid supporters who are always keen to come out to shows. 

 How did you first start playing music?

I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember and started learning really basic guitar around the age of 12. 

What’s been happening recently?

We just finished our album tour for “Conversations With Myself”, playing in Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra and Melbourne. It was an absolute blast! 

Your debut album ‘Conversations With Myself’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?

My main inspiration for writing is life experience, the album itself is a combination of songs about feeling lost, dissecting relationships and navigating your 20s. I try to be brutally honest lyrically as that’s the type of thing that draws me in when I’m listening to music. 

In terms of the sound, that comes from a variety of different places. When I start writing its generally on an acoustic guitar and the style could go either way. I’m backed by a powerhouse band of guys who have strong rock and punk influences which draws the songs to that heavier, faster direction. The album in itself has elements of both softer and heavier influences which I think is quite cool.

How did you go about writing the music?

Generally, the song writing process would start with me writing a song on acoustic and then coming to the band to get their input. I was lucky to change that up a lot on this record, Dust came from my guitarist Matt bringing the music to me and us then writing it together, and Pride was put together last minute between our Producer Antix and I. It changed the sound dramatically and I’m super happy with how these songs turned out.

Where and when did you record/produce?

The record was one of the first recordings completed in the new Def Wolf Studios in Kurnell back in August 2019 with Daniel Antix. I’ve known Antix for almost 10 years now and he is one of my closest friends, this record would not be what it is without his input. Regardless of the fact that he is an incredible producer, as a friend he knows how to push me to get the best result possible and I am incredibly grateful to have his stamp on all of my musical ventures. 

How did you approach the recording process?

We tracked majority of the songs live which was really cool. We knocked out the bulk of the bass, drums, and rhythm guitar over two days and then looked at lead guitar and vocals. 

One of my favourite memories is working with Antix (Producer) and Matt O’Keefe (Lead Guitar) on the lead parts after the live tracks were done. Even though we had the basis of what all the lead parts would look like prior to recording it wasn’t until we really started layering the guitars that the songs found their sound. There are so many cool unexpected things we came up with over those last couple of days that were never originally planned. 

What did you find most challenging and rewarding during the creation of the album?

I was really up and down with my health around the time we were recording so I’d say the most challenging thing was pushing myself to sing to the best of my ability when my body was fighting against me. The most rewarding thing is the by far the finished product, I’m so proud of how far we have come as a band – and seeing the ongoing support from a growing following we have built nationally is just the icing on the cake! 

What do you like to do away from music?

I love to travel, it’s a bonus when I can align it with gigs I want to see. 

Who are you listening to at the moment?

Phoebe Bridgers, The Menzingers and Pinegrove are on high rotation for me at the moment.

You’ve just come off a Aussie Tour, how were the shows and what were a few highlights?

This tour was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had, every single show exceeded my expectations. The highlight has to be seeing so many familiar faces interstate. We have such an incredible network in Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra and it’s always amazing to reconnect with people. 

What’s planned for 2020?

Slowing down on the touring front and focusing on writing, I’ve got a few things in the works that I can’t wait to finish. 

Favourite food and place to hang out?

Favourite food – Sushi 

Place to hangout – anywhere were there are great live bands playing. 

https://www.facebook.com/vettyvialsmusic/

What is your name and role within Fer Sher? 

Benji: Guitar, production Ali: Vocals, lyrics, melodies, artwork Oscar: Bass Chris: Drums Yamin: Guitar 

Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like there? We all live in and around Tio’tia:ke (Montreal). The music community here is great, you can find anything you’d possibly like if you look hard enough. There are also a decent amount of smaller venues and diy spots which really support newer artists like ourselves. We are also lucky to have a sizable French music scene that comes with its unique flavour, too. We feel quite fortunate to have our city in which to start a musical journey. 

How did Fer Sher form? 

Yamin, 26 at the time, had never been in a band. He and Aaron started writing guitar parts and were shortly joined by Jer on drums, both of whom had had touring and recording experience. The band was slowly pieced together with friends (but to us, also musical giants) coming and going (Aaron and Jer left amicably) for several years, during which time the conceptual foundations of what our sound was to be like were laid. Eventually everyone in the band was on the same page and we began recording thanks to Benji’s production wizardry and performing thanks to a finally solidified lineup. 

What’s been happening recently? 

We have written quite a long debut double-EP, “Family”, clocking in at about 30 minutes to be released in two halves this spring. From there we are excited to hit the road this summer and work on a full-length. 

You have a new EP ‘Step Siblings’ coming out on Feb 26, what influenced the sound and songwriting? 

Compositionally, one of the three songs, Shteve, was written over the course of several years and was a painstaking first attempt at finding ways to express catchiness and complexity simultaneously. The second song, Fork, was written mostly by Yamin but with crucial contributions by Benji, while the third song, Locked Drawers, saw an inverse in that Benji brought the main gist and Yamin added his 

thoughts to it. So in the ways that the songs were created, they are very much like step siblings. 

What influenced our sound the most was our attempt to emulate our favourite motifs and sounds, exploring musical and collaborative possibilities, and really trying to put as much of our vulnerable selves into the music and accompanying facets (production, artwork, merch, etc) as possible. 

Vocally and lyrically, it’s a whole other story. When Ali arrived in early 2019 she brought with her conceptual, storytelling, and performance capacities that really shaped the music into the product it’s become. Our live shows took on theatrical and immersive components as Ali grew into her role as a singer without an instrument to hold (a first for her). 

Please tell us about the stories, concepts and themes behind Step Siblings: 

The lyrics each represent a character and a story that form the basis of the three songs. The storytelling is vague and non-linear because the lyrics follow that nagging train of thought that continually reflects back on events and tries to place them into a broader context. There’s the struggling friend who continually lies to everyone in a desperate attempt at self preservation, the victim of online stalking and abuse who becomes paralyzed in their day to day life and the artist struggling to toe the line between perfectionism and free expression. Every story, after exhaustive analysis, ends back up at the absurdity of interpersonal existence and the human condition. Because what story ever doesn’t? 

How did you go about writing the music? 

Guitars are really the driving force behind the song compositions at the moment. At the moment, there is a large emphasis on progression within songs. We really ask ourselves, “where is the song going?”. Yamin really frankenstein’s different parts together; all songs on the double-EP have tempo and time signature changes, nothing too technical but equally present throughout. Benji thinks more of cohesion with regards to mood and atmosphere between parts, and Chris confronts the challenge of when to groove and when to provide angularity. Bass is filled in next before Ali weaves her way through all-but completed tracks. 

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

All our material to date has been produced by our guitarist Ben, who actively records bands of all kinds in our area. Step Siblings was recorded throughout late 2019. 

How did you approach the recording process? 

Benji takes a natural and honest approach. There is no pitch correction on vocals or drum samples used in our music. It’s more fun to hear the breath of a singer or the scrape on guitar strings than to have something flawless. 

What do you find most rewarding and challenging with the whole DIY approach? 

The most challenging is the unpaid work. Benji and Ali work tirelessly with no compensation. The most rewarding is the pride and sense of accomplishment that come with having the entirety of a band created in-house. It takes our project beyond a conventional band and into the realm of art rock DIY 

The band has a really theatrical live show that is a spectacle of its own, please tell us how your live started and has evolved: 

The band was never intended to be more than a math-rock group, and we played with that mentality before Ali arrived. Having the stage on which to develop characters, crowd interaction, and pure focus on the singing without playing anything else opened up a door to the performance no one saw coming. We are now trying to evolve into a truly ensconcing experience, in which we hope that the meticulousness of the songwriting adequately backdrops the on-stage hijinks in a balanced and comprehensive concert-going adventure. 

How do you prepare for live shows? 

We try to meet as much as possible, which can be very difficult. Things outside the band in our lives are very hectic – engagement (!!!), immigration issues, full-time university studies, recording other local bands, beginning a career in architecture, and making time for our beloved friends and families are just some of the other things on our plates. 

You also have a second EP ‘Identical Triplets’ coming out, please tell us more: 

We had 6 songs ready to record when we planned these releases. With a closer look, the first three sounded really different from each other while the other three were pretty much the same idea expressed three different ways. This instantiated the concept of different family makeups, biological, adopted, chosen, etc., and really spoke to our appreciation for and celebration of our families. Identical Triplets became a conceptual opposite to Step Siblings and we are recording it as we speak. 

Who are you listening to at the moment? 

Yamin: Invalids Oscar: Mil-Spec Ben: Young Guv Ali: Cate Le Bon Chris: Circa Survive 

What do you like to do away from music? 

We all have varied hobbies. Oscar loves gaming and collecting vinyl, Ben’s always fixing up a guitar, amp or pedal. Yamin studies full-time, volunteers, and tries to prioritize his health. Ali likes crafting and cooking and playing outside. Chris likes watching animes & eating ramens whenever possible 

What’s planned for 2020? 

More music, more shows, and more ramen for Chris 

Favourite food and place to hangout? 

You can find us at the tiny local vietnamese restaurant, Pho Ici in Rosemont area of Montreal enjoying excellent banh mi, lovely pho, and/or our favourite beverage; taro bubble tea. Everything on the menu there is exquisite, the staff is so warm and inviting, and the tarot bubble tea puts all others to shame. It’s right next to our rehearsal space so many a meal and drink have been enjoyed there. 10/10 highly recommend. 

https://fersher.bandcamp.com/album/step-siblings

Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like there?

I live in Los Angeles, CA. The music scene is wide and varied, but is a surprisingly small world. I’m always meeting musicians that know friends of mine or have played music with them. There is a lot of music to be heard on any given night and that is an exciting thing to be around.

How did you first start playing music?

There was a family heirloom upright piano in my house growing up. I started playing around with that as a child. I would sit and figure out melodies of songs I heard my parents listening to, and come up with my own ideas. Later, I started learning saxophone in school and by my teenage years, picked up the guitar and quickly got very serious about it.

What been happening recently?

I’m consistently working on new music for Missives, collaborative projects, and instrumental music. Looking forward to releasing my debut single Dissolve.

Your new single ‘Dissolve’ is about to be released from your debut EP, what influenced the sound and songwriting for Dissolve and the EP?

My influences span quite a far and wide spectrum. Since I first heard “Music for 18 Musicians” by Steve Reich, the idea of repetitive musical figures changing over time or staying constant while everything changes around them has been an important part of how I hear musical ideas. Moving harmony versus static figures, textures, and atmosphere inform a lot of my sound. My music is an amalgam of that minimalist influence and inspiration from artists like FKA Twigs, Thom Yorke, James Blake, and Bjork. The songwriting revolves around concepts of discovery, transformation, loss, acceptance, and the passage of time.

How did you go about writing Dissolve?

I had recently bought a Dave Smith Instruments Prophet 08 synth. I was exploring the sounds it was capable of and stumbled into a bass line that felt like it was falling over itself. It turned into a fully realized song shortly after that once I added a beat, some synth pads for harmony and a vocal melody. Lyrically, the song is about experiencing loss and navigating the disorientation that comes along with it.

Where and when did you record and who with?

Dissolve and the other tracks on “Patterns of Us” (EP) were recorded in my studio over the course of the last couple years. I’ve worked as a composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist for years now and wrote, recorded, and mixed everything myself. I have two tracks with guest vocalists, very close friends of mine, Patrick Joseph and Eleanor Crane. I’m lucky to have close friends who are also incredibly talented artists in their own right.

How did you approach the recording process?

Recording and writing happen simultaneously. They are both the process of creation and flow back and forth between each other. I record one sound or instrument that then inspires an idea for another layer or texture, and so on and so on until a structure begins to emerge. This happens fairly quickly, so I often have place-holder takes of various parts or instruments. Once I have a solid song idea mapped out, I go back and refine individual instruments as needed. I definitely enjoy using recording as a way to explore different sounds, or altering instruments or objects to make them sound like something else.

What programs/instruments did you use to record?

I use Pro Tools for recording and mixing. I use some software synths, but the majority of the EP utilized hardware synths like the Prophet 08, Moog Sub37, and Mother 32. There is also a fair amount of guitar as that is my primary instrument. And a lot of guitar that doesn’t sound anything like a guitar. I use an Echoplex Digital Pro Plus looper to create atmospheric and ambient textures using the guitar. I also like using vocal loops to create textures and pads. There are percussive elements in the songs sourced from random objects like a paper wrapper, scratching on cloth, tapping on things, etc.

What do you like to do away from music?

I spend a lot of time camping, hiking, and being outside. Anywhere I can find mountains, water, and quiet. I read as much as I can, and watch movies and documentaries. I enjoy spending time with friends and family.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

Thom Yorke’s latest album Anima has been in heavy rotation for me. As well as Bon Iver’s most recent album and Magdalene by FKA Twigs. Anything by Max Richter.

What’s planned for 2020?

I’ll be releasing my debut EP “Patterns of Us” and continuing to work on new music for Missives, possibly for another EP or a full length depending on how everything shapes up.

Favourite food and place to hangout?

Pho or sushi (at least today). My favourite place to hangout is in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California or Northern New Mexico where I grew up. There is also a neighborhood bar here in LA that I go to fairly regularly with friends. It feels like it should be a bar in a random mountain town somewhere, but it sits in the middle of Eagle Rock, a north east LA neighborhood I’m quite fond of.

1. Patterns of Us

2. Something More

3. Long Gone (feat. Patrick Joseph)

4. Reach Inside (feat. Eleanor Crane)

5. Dissolve

Missives Socials:

IG | Twitter | Soundcloud

Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like there?

I’m Based in Brisbane, I moved from the UK 13 years ago. If you look at the scene in Australia from history back in the 80s / 90s then you can’t compare with the enthusiasm of both venues and punters. Db limits and pokies have plagued the scene somewhat. Venues don’t have the budget or are not prepared to pay for original artists the way cover bands and Tributes get paid. Apparently bands back then were finding a gig at least 3 times per week. Now we have agents selecting their “favourites”. 

Brisbane is a place of diverse talent but we still haven’t seen anything that will put Australia back on the map yet for A & R visits. However, please feel free to check out my new single called ‘DumbStruck’  

How can we progress and expose new music?

Great question! and I believe radio have much to answer for where educating the public and artists are concerned. A particular radio station for example, still have the same play list from when I moved here 13 years ago!! Friends and family in the UK are always saying to me “have you heard this new song” “have you seen this new rocking band” well no I haven’t ha ha, because radio in Australia does not fully support the cause for what’s developing and happening overseas unfortunately.

How did you first start playing music?

My late father use to sing to me and my brother. We shared a room growing up and my old man would pick a classic tune and play and sing to us on his rusty old acoustic guitar instead of reading a bedtime story. Bearing in mind we were 6 and 4 year old knippers. My father taught me the “3 chord wonder” as he called it haha. I practiced those 3 chords for weeks, I then taught myself some more from guitar books, that was before google lol. 

It was when I met a good old pal at the first year of high school that it really began. I taught him a scale or two and now he is a top blues rock player in the South West of the UK. We put together a little novice garage band and rehearsed in bedrooms, garages and school halls. We had real passion man! We learn’t fast and soon booked our first gig at Plymstock Comprehensive School haha. It was the Christmas school disco that we would premiere at the age of 14. From here we grew as trio with myself on bass. Let’s just say the rest is history!

What’s been happening recently?

It’s been a hectic few weeks of late getting everything across the line ready for the single, video, EP and live show launch, and now interviews and promo. March 28th I marry the most amazing lady, so as one can imagine there is much to do. I’m also a full time driving instructor in Brisbane.

Your new single is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?

I wrote ‘DumbStruck’ over 14 years ago back in the UK, as a band then with my brother Del on drums we jammed it but never recorded these songs. At the time I was listening to a mix of bands from Trouble, Kyuss, Audioslave, Soundgarden to Stereophonics and HIM. I put an emphasis on melody and hooks as this formula gives colour and emotion. This was probably inherited from growing up listening to The Beatles. With ‘DumbStruck’ it was a progressive experience to write. It has evolved from its basic form and has guitar work that Slash himself could have written haha. The Canadian guitarist who wrote the solos, performed, mixed and mastered on the track goes by the name of Trevor (Hanuman) Stefiuk.

Where and when did you record/produce?

It has been an ongoing project that has spanned over the last two years with Allan Lahey at Taramalin Sound recording studio in Kingston QLD. Allan has been a pioneer and platform for original artists to record in Brisbane for many years. Due to life’s obstacles and funding it has taken longer than I had hoped, but it was worth the wait. Ben Kerswell played a major role in instrumentation and producing something a bit more contemporary. Unfortunately, Ben has had a life changing illness that stopped him in his tracks. Therefore, I was required to hire guys to help perform and complete the last track called ‘Plunge’

While in the process of mastering the track Strive and Repair, the decision was made to invest in a music video to align with this rocking tune. So if you like it rocking and loud this is your chance to hear something new. On the 28th February 2020 the EP ‘A Thousand Years High’ will be launched in Brisbane and be available online and for hard copies of the CD.

I am proud of what has been achieved here as a whole, and I humbly say that the single ‘DumbStruck’ needs to be heard on every radio station across the globe to justify its existence!

You have a EP on the way, how did you go about writing the EP and what influenced the writing?

All of the 5 songs were written firstly on the acoustic guitar over a decade ago. It was a great formula, I would pour a glass or two and put pen to paper. Melody always comes first with me then lyrics to fit the vocal melody. I was heavily influenced from the stoner rock and the grunge era. AIC showed how vox harmonies can be used with heavy crunching riffs. Over the years, vocally I have been influenced by Chris Cornell, Layne Staley. In the early days it was Axl Rose, David Coverdale, Paul Rodgers and Sebastian Bach I took vocal lessons from.

What have you found most rewarding and challenging during the creation of the new EP?

We all knew that the final track recorded on the EP ‘Plunge’ was going to be a challenge. With its unconventional structure and longer than average duration it turned out to certainly be that. All efforts and focus went into a performance for recording that we were happy with. The result is an epic, progressive original sounding track. Funding and time was a major factor for completing this EP.

What’s the EP title?

‘A Thousand Years High’

What do you like to do away from music?

I like to spend time with my kids, however they are now adults and doing their own thing! I like to walk somewhere scenic, visit the mountains and coast, wine and dine. I went through an obsessive stage of practicing the ancient Martial art known as the commercial name of Ninjutsu 

Who are you listening to at the moment?

Clutch, Killswitch Engage and Paradise Lost

What’s planned for 2020?

Get married in March and to push this EP, Single and video and obtain as many gigs as possible. I will be writing and still have some heavy tunes to show the lads to later record a full album.

Favourite food and place to hangout?

Being a pomme I do like a decent hot Indian curry. There are a few good Thai restaurants at Westfield Garden City and Raby Bay harbour that I like to visit. 

https://facebook.com/theofficialmarshallpage/

https://instagram.com/shaunjohnmarshall1

Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like there?

I’m from amsterdam and the music scene here is very urban and techno minded.

But during Amsterdam Dance Event the whole city is EDM focussed and there’s a crowd for every genre of house music haha!

How did you first start playing music?

When I was 12 years old I started saving money for a DJ set, around the same age I started producing as well. I heard The Prodigy and Tiësto on the radio and I knew I wanted to do something with electronic music.

I was always into music, I started drumming when I was 5 years old and always loved to perform. I wrote my own rap lyrics as a kid and I still love to write lyrics now 😉

What’s been happening recently?

A LOT, it really feels like i’m showing the world a next level Julian Jordan. I’m super motivated and I love to lock myself in the studio after touring. I have so many tracks ready and seeing my recent tracks on the top of so many charts feels like a reward for all the hard work! 

You have new music being released on February 21, please tell us about what has influenced the sound and songwriting for the upcoming releases: 

I got this vocal in my email and I was immediately hooked on it, I started making the production and finished it within a few days, but i was still trying to find the right fit with the vocals for this track.

When I showed the track to my girlfriend (she’s an amazing singer from Amsterdam) and she told me she would love to give it a try to see if her voice would be a good fit. It turned out to be the perfect match and that’s how this collaboration came together.

Where and when did you record/produce?

When I got the vocal I was at the airport and I think I made most parts of the production on the plane haha.

What programs/equipment do you use?

I work with FL Studio and a basic studio at home and mostly with my laptop haha. I also work a lot in the STMPD RCRDS studios as well, those studios are really next level.

How do you go about writing and recording music?

I love the journey of how a track comes together because it’s always different. The thing I love about producing music is that there are no rules, creative freedom all the way. Trying out new stuff and surprising fans with new music is the best thing in the world.

You are relaunching your YouTube show, what do you planned?

I want to show the world a more personal side of Julian Jordan. A side they can connect with more. The thing I love about social media is that you can choose what you want to show the world and your audience, but this also means that they never see the whole story. I try to show my personal side and take the viewers with me on this journey in my life. To show that I’m just a human having fun making and playing music all around the world.

You’re playing Ultra Music Miami, how do you prepare for live shows and what do you most enjoy about playing live?

I never actually prepare, because i think it’s important to read the crowd as a DJ.

But I do make sure that I have a ton of new tracks ready when I’m playing festivals like Ultra! Especially when a lot of people are going to check out the set online, it’s important to have the best tracks ready for that!

What do you like to do away from music?

Kickboxing is a big passion of mine, and since I’m touring so much I think the most important thing for me now is to stay in touch with my family and friends after touring. 

Who are you listening to at the moment?

I’m currently listening to Josh Charm – Trust. Very talented producer!

What’s planned for 2020?

A lot of new music and dope gigs, I think 2019 was about showing the world the ‘Julian Jordan sound’ but 2020 is just about firing all the tracks at the right time.

I just share my love for music with the world and I’ll just keep on doing that every day!

Favourite food and place to hangout?

Amsterdam during the summer and pizza:)

https://www.facebook.com/itsjulianjordan

Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like?

We’re based in Canberra, ACT. The music scene is great. There’s always good bands to see at Smiths Alternative, The Transit Bar – and we love The Basement. There’s some great bands and artists here. We’re big fans of Citizen Kay and Witchskull 🙂 

How did you first start playing music?

Imitating and playing along to our favourite bands, then later on jamming with friends. We all started playing music very young and we’ve all come from diverse musical backgrounds. 

How did Glitoris form?

It was magic. Witches were involved, obviously.

What’s been happening recently?

We’ve been busy preparing for our tour! It’s really exciting to be going all over the country. Slut Power is the last single to be taken from our album ‘The Policy’. It’s our live anthem and the song we feel has resonated at our live shows the most. So we decided to give it the single, video and tour treatment. 

How did you go about writing Slut Power? / Your new single ‘Slut Power’ is out on the 14th of February, what influenced the sound and songwriting for this single?

Musically, it began as a laid back riff – Malcolm started it off with the bass line. It’s a slower than average tempo by design. We wanted it to sound ominous and sparse at the beginning and build. It was designed to reflect violence against women and how it starts with the language people use to describe women; it’s a completely different, and far more negative, lexicon than words used to describe the same behaviours in men. These words are common, everyday vernacular, which reflects how deeply embedded prejudices against women are. The second verse gets more intense and the chorus has a sludge-metal feel to it. We had the hook from the get go and just built it up over the course of song with the drums getting heavier and the vocals starting a bit bratty and ending in rage. Lyrically, it’s obviously coming from a dark place. There are parts of that song that are very pointed and very personal, which is why it can be delivered the way it is. The 3rd verse is how the media and society generally blames women for the violence committed against them and its insidious. Look at what happen after Eurydice Dixon was murdered in Melbourne in 2018. Superintendent David Clayton stood there and told women: “So just make sure you have situational awareness, that you’re aware of your surroundings. If you’ve got a mobile phone carry it and if you’ve got any concerns, call police.” Fuck off, Clayton. Tell men to stop raping and murdering us. We have the right to walk home at night and not think about this shit. The fact is, we are burdened by this constant feeling of “how can I operate today and go about my business without getting raped or murdered?” We make these calculations every time we want to go for a jog, every time we leave a venue or club late at night. We’re monitoring what’s going on with the Harvey Weinstein trial at the moment and a newspaper published a story on it with a headline about the dress one of the women was wearing when he sexually assaulted her. When women are abused and raped and murdered, the media and society blames them. 

Another thing: when this stuff happens to us we’re forced into silence. Jim DeRogatis’s book on R Kelly evidences the dozens of occasions Kelly paid off his victims and got them to sign NDA’s. Criminal acts are committed against women all the time – some physically violent, others more psychologically violent like online trolling, gaslighting and defamation – and most of the time we have to stay silent because we’re either paid to stay silent, blackmailed or shamed into it. So there’s a subtext of vengeance in Slut Power that comes through in both the song and video. Let’s just say we’re pretty experienced in the topics that Slut Power addresses. 

Where and when did you record/produce?

We recorded Slut Power in 2018 when we recorded all the songs for our debut album ‘The Policy’. It was recorded by Jay Whalley at The Pet Food Factory in Marrickville, Sydney. The studio session for Slut Power was great – we put a triangle all the way through it, sometimes it comes it a bit muted and percussive and by the third verse, it’s in the background and sounds like an alarm. The album was mixed by Clem Bennett, who is a genius mix engineer, and mastered by Mandy Parnell – another genius mastering engineer from London.

Glitoris is known for having strong views on confronting subjects, please tell us a little about what you think of the current state of politics, gender issues and equality at that this present time:

The whole system is fucked: we are facing the biggest environmental, economic and social issues humanity has ever faced. The harrowing summer we’ve just lived through has shown the result of denial, arrogance, mass apathy and inaction in dealing with climate change. Second to that, the wealth gap is hideous – and it’s growing. The world is being run by billionaire corporations that are focused on growth and individualisation, and it’s unsustainable. The fact that Jeff Bezos can buy a mansion in Beverley Hills for $165mUS off the back of modern-day slavery is one example of how extreme this gap has become. There could be a Billionaire Vs. Billionaire US election this year. The erosion of democracy and human rights is happening before our very eyes in many ways: surveillance, the policing of women’s bodies, the silencing of media organisations and the gross miscarriages of justice we see at all levels in the treatment of Aboriginal people. Unless we take the power back and start to create an inclusive accessible society for everyone, that values the wisdom of Indigenous peoples, scientists and scholars (that currently seem to have no voice and influence in our policies) we have no future. On one level, these issues are now so huge that it’s not surprising we’re in existential crisis. On another level, we’re hardly going to sit back with some popcorn and watch it all play out on TV. The fact that so many have taken that attitude in the past is exactly what’s got us into this mess. 

Equality? We are nowhere, not even remotely, near achieving this for Indigenous people and PoC, for women, for those who are LGBTQI+. In fact, we’re going backwards as human rights generally are being eroded. 

It’s all fucked. But fuck it, we’re not going down without a fight.

You have a big Australian tour coming up with some first shows in NT, what can we expect from a Glitoris live show?

Politics, humour, passion, fun, brutal honesty, musicianship, banter, protest – but to leave feeling like you had a great night out \*/

How do you prepare for shows?

Scotty likes to do a bit of yoga and flex out the rhythm sticks on her drum pad. Malcolm likes to air pump and dance. Andrew likes to run through her guitar parts and deface things. Keven 007 likes to be amazing, which she does amazingly. Our band ritual includes warming up our voices up with the lady, warming our fingers up, running through some harmonies and, of course, transform ourselves into fierce glittery warriors.

What do find most challenging and rewarding whilst on tour?

Most rewarding: playing the shows, meeting our fans – The Gliterati, hanging with other bands and making friends, listening to fan stories, the moments mid-performance where we see The Gliterati singing the words and punching the air or yelling out for their favourite song – that’s just the best. We also like finding a good bar and drinking gin, and just generally hanging out. We love touring. It feels like a holiday to us. There’s a point where it descends into a delirious stage and every single thing is funny and we laugh so much it hurts \*/

Most challenging: Sleep deprivation.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

Babymachine, Thelma Plum, Moju Juju, Rage Against the Machine

What do you like to do away from music?

Sleep.

What’s planned for 2020?

A massive tour of the country. After that we’ll have a break and then start work on the next album. We’d love to play some festivals later in the year.

Favourite food and place to hangout?

We love vegan food and Au Lac in Dickson, Canberra, is our favourite! We also love Tudo Vietnamese in O’Connor and Andrew and Scott also love Sweet Bones vegan in Braddon.

https://www.facebook.com/ckingtherapper/

Who are you listening to at the moment?

http://nobleoak.net/

https://www.instagram.com/nobleoaksongs/

https://www.facebook.com/nobleoak

https://twitter.com/nobleoaksongs

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDx4MGijFzpe9_6KnVbvZXQ