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Music Interviews

Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like there? I am currently based on the Gold Coast. Live music here is not too bad, there are a couple great venues to play and we seem to be getting more and more major artists booking in a stop on their tours on the GC. There does seem to be more of a buzz in Brisbane, which is only an hour way and not too far to get to. You recently collaborated with with Jarryd Shuker (The Art of Sleeping) please let us know what the both of you worked on? Yes I did. Jarryd produced Alive my debut single with me. We met up about once a week for a good couple of months this year and worked on Alive, as well as some new tracks hopefully to be released one day soon. He is a great producer and writer and he really believed in the project just as much as my self. I am super grateful to have been able to work with him on my debut release, and I am even more grateful to now call him a friend. I hear that you have an EP in the works, what has been influencing the sound and songwriting? Well it’s another big debut for me and by the time the release comes the aim is to have people sit up and take notice. The tracks I think are all so different, which makes total sense having all been written over a few years. The sound is influenced by a combination of the team of producers I have been working with and myself falling in love with electro pop music. The brief I set for this EP was I wanted to be able to groove hard! Very broad, I know. But I am pretty confident that we have come up with some serious jams. I am hoping that this collection of tracks will really show the potential I have to be in this industry and hopefully stir a serious buzz for d e n n i s. How do you usually go about writing music? Writing music varies a little for me. I really love to write with other likeminded producers/artists as well as on my own. However collaboration is definitely key for me. I believe collaboration is important; it keeps out creative minds on top of our game and sometimes it may feel as if we have met our rival, but healthy competition is good and it pushes us to want to create further than what we already know. When will you be releasing the EP? The date is yet to be confirmed, however it looks like the half way mark of 2019 and the debut EP will be here! Who are you listening to at the moment? Right now I am on the BROODS vibe. I am totally digging their recent releases and am so keen for more new music from them. The new E^ST EP is also a cranker! I also as cliché as it is right now am pumping the Xmas tunes! My absolute favourite is ‘Baby it’s Cold Outside” – Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Jordan. What do you like to do away from music? Honestly so many things but right now its perfect weather on the GC to be at the beach. So probably spending a day out on the water boarding and sunbaking is my top thing to do when I’m after a break from music. What do you have planned for 2019? I feel like I have set super big plans for myself in 2019! Releasing more music is number one. Playing some live shows will be super nice and hopefully I get to make some new music friends and starting building a name for my project! I’m pretty stoked for 2019 to get here already! How did you first start playing music? Music has been all I have ever known since I was pretty young. Everything sort of began because my neighbour showed me how she could play the piano and so then I wanted to be able to do the same. I am super lucky that my family and my Mum and Dad in particular saw that music was serious for me and encouraged me to pursue music as a career. Not everybody is fortunate enough to get that type of support so I really do consider myself lucky. Plus growing up in a small town, there isn’t always a lot to do! Favourite food and place to hangout? There is this pasta/pizza roof top bar – Justin Lane in Burleigh Heads (GC) right on the beach and its super hip and trendy. Definitely is where you want to be on a Sunday afternoon as the sun is setting and is also definitely where I plan to be all summer long.
Music InterviewsMusic News

dennis

by the partae
written by the partae

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

I am currently based on the Gold Coast. Live music here is not too bad, there are a couple great venues to play and we seem to be getting more and more major artists booking in a stop on their tours on the GC. There does seem to be more of a buzz in Brisbane, which is only an hour way and not too far to get to.


You recently collaborated with with Jarryd Shuker (The Art of Sleeping) please let us know what the both of you worked on?

Yes I did. Jarryd produced Alive my debut single with me. We met up about once a week for a good couple of months this year and worked on Alive, as well as some new tracks hopefully to be released one day soon. He is a great producer and writer and he really believed in the project just as much as my self. I am super grateful to have been able to work with him on my debut release, and I am even more grateful to now call him a friend.


I hear that you have an EP in the works, what has been influencing the sound and songwriting?

Well it’s another big debut for me and by the time the release comes the aim is to have people sit up and take notice. The tracks I think are all so different, which makes total sense having all been written over a few years. The sound is influenced by a combination of the team of producers I have been working with and myself falling in love with electro pop music. The brief I set for this EP was I wanted to be able to groove hard! Very broad, I know. But I am pretty confident that we have come up with some serious jams. I am hoping that this collection of tracks will really show the potential I have to be in this industry and hopefully stir a serious buzz for d e n n i s.  

How do you usually go about writing music?

Writing music varies a little for me. I really love to write with other likeminded producers/artists as well as on my own. However collaboration is definitely key for me. I believe collaboration is important; it keeps out creative minds on top of our game and sometimes it may feel as if we have met our rival, but healthy competition is good and it pushes us to want to create further than what we already know.

 

When will you be releasing the EP?

The date is yet to be confirmed, however it looks like the half way mark of 2019 and the debut EP will be here!


Who are you listening to at the moment?

Right now I am on the BROODS vibe. I am totally digging their recent releases and am so keen for more new music from them. The new E^ST EP is also a cranker! I also as cliché as it is right now am pumping the Xmas tunes! My absolute favourite is ‘Baby it’s Cold Outside” – Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Jordan.


What do you like to do away from music?

Honestly so many things but right now its perfect weather on the GC to be at the beach. So probably spending a day out on the water boarding and sunbaking is my top thing to do when I’m after a break from music.

 

What do you have planned for 2019?

I feel like I have set super big plans for myself in 2019! Releasing more music is number one. Playing some live shows will be super nice and hopefully I get to make some new music friends and starting building a name for my project! I’m pretty stoked for 2019 to get here already!

 

How did you first start playing music?

Music has been all I have ever known since I was pretty young. Everything sort of began because my neighbour showed me how she could play the piano and so then I wanted to be able to do the same. I am super lucky that my family and my Mum and Dad in particular saw that music was serious for me and encouraged me to pursue music as a career. Not everybody is fortunate enough to get that type of support so I really do consider myself lucky. Plus growing up in a small town, there isn’t always a lot to do!

 

Favourite food and place to hangout?

There is this pasta/pizza roof top bar – Justin Lane in Burleigh Heads (GC) right on the beach and its super hip and trendy. Definitely is where you want to be on a Sunday afternoon as the sun is setting and is also definitely where I plan to be all summer long.  

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Music InterviewsMusic News

Youthfire X Diemne Interview Each Other

by the partae
written by the partae

Youthfire to Diemne: Q1 – What inspired you to start rapping? Was there a specific artist that inspired you?

I remember the first time I ever thought I could start rapping was mainly due to the fact that I had done really well in English in high school, I figured ‘I can do that, string words and rhyme together, easy’. (laughs)

I guess hiphop music was basically always a part of my life from a pretty early age, which probably started by listening to Eminem and 50 Cent on family road trips in between sessions on the gameboy colour. But when I first started, a friend of mine was rapping and pushed me to get involved and we spent a lot of time hanging out and rapping together, so I guess my first influence to actually start was probably Brisbane artist, Midas Gold. Musically or stylistically I was listening to a lot of Kendrick Lamar and Tyler the Creator at the time, they were probably my biggest artistic influences, to begin with and now that I think about it, they probably still are.

Shoutout Franky Oceannn


Diemne to Youthfire: Q1 – Youve come so far on your musical journey, how do you think your life experiences have helped you as an artist?

I had an unusual introduction to making music. When I left high school I started making YouTube cover videos and released them once a week. I did this religiously for years which helped me to evolve and to grow.

Growing up being gay had a big impact on how I viewed myself and the world. I struggled with issues around self acceptance for quite some time. And went I came out I still battled with feeling like an outsider.

These experiences most definitely informed my musical journey with music and in many ways they still do.

Youthfire to Diemne – Q2  Where do you see yourself going with your music? What do you want to achieve?

Tough question!

I think my goals often shift back and forth. I’d like to make an impact on people’s lives in some way and I think that my music is one way to achieve that.

I’ve always said to myself that achieving local or national support would mean a successful career in the music industry… I think that touring the country and playing festivals around Australia would be the baseline for success with my music, it would definitely be something to look back on and say ‘yeah I did that, I made a go of it’. As long as you try your best right?

Outside of my own artistry, ever since I started making music, its been my number one priority and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. I grew up embracing hiphop culture and music has just become an extension of that. I think in the future I want to be involved with other emerging artists, helping them grow and achieve their vision.

Q2 Diemne yo Youthfire – if you could work with any three artists, alive or dead, who would it be any why?

It’ll be hard to only pick 3! But definitely on the top of my list is David Bowie, I’ve been inspired by Bowie from as long as I can remember. I love how he constantly redefined himself through his career and pushes boundaries. He also wasn’t afraid to try something that could fail. His fearlessness is so inspiring to me.

Next would be Prince. Except I think I’d be so nervous being in the same room as him. I think just overacting him in action would be enough of a learning experience for me.

Having the opportunity to work with Quincy Jones would be a dream, but again I’d probably feel more comfortable to observe him in action. I’m really inspired by producers and artists like Quincy who can bring out the best in the artists they work with.

Q3 Youthfire to Diemne – Was there something that surprised you, or that you didn’t expect would happen, when we wrote Emerging?

I think the songwriting process for emerging was the most interesting or surprising part of the process as It was the first time co-writing with another artist and exploring lyrics in new ways I hadn’t thought of before. During the process, we engaged with films and literature, identified key ideas or phrases and used those mediums to drive the vibe of the song, which ultimately led to a really cohesive sound, both lyrically and sonically.

I am also always astonished at the power of mixing. I think producers don’t get enough love in the music business and they make or break a record. Shoutout Youthfire for the production. You all make me sound drippy! 😉

Q3 Diemne to Youthfire – If you had one piece of advice too give to a young self what would it be?

I’d say, don’t be afraid to collaborate! Early on, I was very self-conscious to work on writing songs with other artists, songwriters, producers, etc. The story I’d tell myself was, I’m not good enough. In a way, I still feel this but I’ve learnt to value collaboration so much that it’s easier to override those thoughts now.

Q4 Youthfire to Diemne – what inspires you to keep pushing the boundaries making music? And do you see Melbourne as an inspiring place to do this being a rapper?  

I think the most successful artists in history are those who continue to push boundaries and evolve as musicians.  For me, I want to try and make music that not only resonates with people now but in the future as well.

Hiphop as a genre is still really young and has undergone dramatic changes since its inception, led by artists pushing boundaries and exploring outside the box.  I think that’s what makes music so exciting for me, you never know where a project or song might take you as the genres start to blend and bleed into one another and eventually you end up with something completely unique.

And yes, Absolutely! Melbourne is a really inspiring place to create art.  Coming from Brisbane only just over a year ago, I think the biggest difference is the urban nature of the inner city and the culture, which for me, brought on a bunch of new, eclectic experiences.  I think the artists I resonate with most tend to tell their lived experiences in a very personal way and as such, the culture of Melbourne allows vulnerability to flourish. Its un-suppressive, open, diverse and those attributes are celebrated by the community.

I definitely think its the hub of music, hip hop and culture in Australia.

Q4 Diemne to Youthfire –
What do you want to say with your music? What does youthfire mean to you?

Hard question… for me, Youthfire has always been about love and acceptance. And, at the core, acknowledging the power that we each have within us. I aim to create music that’s very real and honest drawing from my own personal experience as a queer person. I also think it’s more important than ever for people within the LGBTIQA+ spectrum to create and to share their art. And if I have the opportunity to be apart of a community of creative, unique and free thinking people, then this is my goal for Youthfire. x

 

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Music InterviewsMusic News

Cat Dealers

by the partae
written by the partae

What are your names and your separate roles within Cat Dealers?

We are Pedro and Lugui. We work pretty much together in the project. Sometimes one of us has an idea, but we always talk about everything and come to a result together.

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

We live in Rio de Janeiro, our hometown. The music scene has grown a lot and we love playing here, maybe because it’s our city haha but it’s great. The people really love music and there are so many other great artists that we work or are friends with.

You recently opened for Shakira for two of her Brazil shows, how did this come about and how was the experience?

It was awesome! When we first heard that we were opening for her we got super excited! Excitement soon turned to nerves because we didn’t know if the fans would know us or what they were expecting, since they were there to see Shakira. It turned out great though, the crowd was amazing and we had the best time.

When and how did you first start DJing?

We’ve always been into music since we were kids, then came a time when we became really fascinated by electronic music. We started following it religiously and learning as much as we could about it. We liked it so much that we started producing our own music and in 2016 Cat Dealers officially began.

You’ve climbed a massive 26 places in this years DJ Mag Top 100 and you’re now sitting at the 48th position, what does it take to get to this level in the DJ game?

A lot of sleepless nights hahaha! I think that what really makes the difference is loving what you do and being willing to work hard. We are also really thankful for our fans and the team that work alongside us, without them all we wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we have.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

Right now I’m really into Rüfüs Du Sol’s new album. I really like them and I’ve been addicted to their latest releases.

You’ve just released a beautiful remix of Lauv’s ‘There’s No Way’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7eyg617PmQ how do you go about remixing music?

Remixing Lauv was awesome, he has such an amazing voice and great music. We love remixing in general because we get to put our own stamp on tracks, allowing us to include some of these awesome songs in our own sets!

What programs/equipment do you use?

We produce using Ableton Live, and our favorite synths are Sylenth1 and Nexus (that is not an actual synth, but it’s awesome!).

What do you like to do away from music?

While on tour, we really like to get to know the places we’re playing at so we try to sightsee as much as possible whilst touring a country and experience everything it has to offer. That’s not always possible though, sometimes we have to leave too early and don’t have enough free time, but we do appreciate when we are able to do that. When we’re at home, we love spending time with our family, pets and friends because we don’t get many chances to see them due to travelling so much. We also like to play videogames, watch series and movies, just like everyone else haha.

You recently released the music video for your single “Keep On Lovin” which features Brazil’s hottest trending actress Agatha Moreira  – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEdH1UY6YNE how did this music video come about?

The video was the result of incredible work by many people. We actually feature in the video and we were all so excited that it didn’t even feel like work, it was just so fun. Agatha loved the music and the idea of the video, so we were very happy she agreed to participate. In the end we were so proud of it, everything about the video made us smile.

 

What is your process for producing music?

We don’t have a normal schedule when producing music. Each one has a different process. Sometimes we start with the vocal, sometimes with the drop, sometimes we just like to have fun creating anything, so the process is just playing around hahaha.

You’ve just been on tour in Australia, how were the shows?

They were fantastic! It was our first time playing here and it’s amazing. The crowd is great, they make us feel really comfortable on stage and it’s been an awesome experience.

What are your impressions of Australia and the Australian music scene?

We’re in love with Australia. We always wanted to come here and it really is beautiful! Everything about it is awesome, the cities, the beaches, the people… We wish we could have stayed longer haha! The music scene is also pretty great! There’s so much going on and people are really interested in knowing and enjoying it. We surely will be back!

What do you have planned for the remainder of 2018 going into 2019?

We still got some great gigs coming up, we’ve just played in Ireland for the first time and now we’re headed back to Brazil. December is probably our busiest month, we’re travelling to so many great Brazilian cities. There’s still music to be released too, like our upcoming track My Way, by Spinnin’ Records. So we got a lot going on till the end of the year and we’re really looking forward to 2019.

Favourite food and place to hangout?

I would say that the food of BB Lanches (a food place in Rio de Janeiro) is the best! But we really LOVE Burrito California. It’s a burrito type that is really hard to find outside of Southern California. Favorite place to hang out… the beach for sure!

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/CatDealers/

https://www.youtube.com/catdealerstv

https://www.instagram.com/catdealers/

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Hussykat

by the partae
written by the partae

 

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

I live in Sydney in Parramatta. I think I’m the only musician there lol like the closest thing to musicians there is people with $500 cars + $2000 sound system bumping loud Lebanese hit songs from the year 2001. The closest music scene to me is Newtown it’s like 25km/50-minute drive thanks to traffic in Sydney ☺. Parramatta is beautiful though! It’s close to both work and Uni and I have my chiropractor Daniel 500m away from home which is helping me keeping my back pain under control ☺

You grew up in Egypt, how was this experience and how has the Egyptian culture influenced your music?

People in Egypt breath music ! When I grew up there, music piracy wasn’t a thing so there was countless songs released daily and if you don’t listen you’ll be left out of conversations next day in school or at soccer practice. That helped shaping my diversified musical taste. Listening to music for musicians is as important as going to the gym is for bodybuilders.

How has it been adapting to the Australian culture?

It wasn’t easy, when we first arrived to Australia about 10 years ago we resided in a town in QLD called Yeppoon. It was definitely a culture shock and the fact that I couldn’t speak a single word of English didn’t help at all. I reckon it took me about 3 years or 4 to adapt. I was fortunate to have an amazing group of true Aussies making the process of adaptation smoother.

Your new album is very personal, please tell us about what influenced the sound and song writing?

The sounds were influenced by various artists, for example you can definitely hear some Miami Horror in Track 6  “Trynna Bring Us Down” There is a Flume feel to track number 1 “Feeling Lucky” I am sure that you can get a feel or a different artist on each of the 8 tracks on the album. The lyrics were inspired mainly by life events. I came up with “now I run the block you can call me scotty cam” while watching the block 2018! Which was a great season btw!

How did you go about writing the music for this album?

I start by making a beat, writing the music and lyrics for it, record it and send it to Stuart B to mix and master it. Then when I hear the final product I ask Stuart If he can make some changes with the production. I usually come up with my lines either on my way to work or Uni them polish them when I am recording with Neal. I wrote “Why do you hate me so much” in the studio with Neal after playing him the beat Stuart made. At the time I genuinely thought that my supervisor at the time hated me! then I found out that she didn’t hate me ! she just hated everyone so I kinda felt better about it.

What was it like working with Stuart B?

It was amazing. He’s the most chilled guy you’ll ever come across like we did nearly 20 drafts for some songs and he was totally ok with it. He’s based in Melbourne and I am in Sydney now so we did everything through emails. I found out about Dom Cork and Taka Perry through Stuart so I reached out to them and we did 2 tracks.

How do you go about balancing your work life with your music career?

Lots of coffees mixed with sleep deprivation. I work 2 jobs in addition to doing my masters at Macquarie university. I wish I can take some time off work to focus on music more but as an independent you have to pay for: Production, recording, mixing and mastering yourself! so taking time off is a luxury I can’t afford

What do you have planned for the remainder of 2018 going into 2019?

I’ll just see what life throws at me ☺  for now I’m just enjoying a break from Uni and enjoying to having to stress about getting the album done.

What do you like to do away from music?

Watching movies ! Playing soccer (before my lower back injury)! Watching soccer! Watching rap battles !

Who are you listening to at the moment?

Kendrick lamar’s section 80 ! Drake’s Take care ! Drake’s nothing was the same ! Meek mill’s Dream’s and Nightmares.

How did you first start playing music?

In 2011 I got a mac book and it had Garageband installed. I foundout that you can play piano or any instrument on your keyboard!! Then I got addicted to it until I upgraded to Logic pro

Favourite food and place to hangout?

When I used to live in Melbourne I loved hanging out in “Lucky Coq” on Chaple Street! Unfortunately we don’t have anything close to it here in Sydney. There is a very cool café in Bondi that I always go to, it’s called Preach. Also, the best burger in Sydney is at Nadia’s in Parramatta! It’s a cool café inside Westfield Parramatta.

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Music Interviews

Johnny (From The Burbs)

by the partae
written by the partae

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

 I am currently based in Sydney’s Hills District, just a little further out from Parramatta. There is a lot of great music coming from around here – not just in hip-hop either. So many talented folks are putting out music around here.

 You were recently in the U.S, what did you get up to?

 Funnily enough, my trip to the US was more for leisure than anything music related but nonetheless it was sick, I went with my boys and we hit up Florida and New York. We were pretty active there, went to Universal Studios in Orlando which was mad, we saw Tyler, the Creator and Vince Staples at Madison Square Garden Theatre which was off-chops. We also ended up filming a music video for the EP opener ‘ELON’ while in Times Square.

 What influence did this this trip make on your mixtape (i.e. the name, BRADENTON)?

 It’s very funny cos, the mixtape was more or less finished before we got on the plane, and the name had already been picked before we left – but – the name was inspired by the trip. When we went to Florida we actually stayed in Bradenton because its where one of our closest friends lives with his amazing wife and they housed us for nine long days.

Some songs were inspired by my trip to the US from a growing excitement to visit – WINTER is actually about my excitement to go to New York. When I got back from the US however, I took a look back at BRADENTON and ended up recording another verse for the last track ‘ANTIDOTE/BRADENTON’ which was deffs inspired by the trip – y’all can hear it for yourself though hahaha.

 How did this mixtape (Bradenton) come about?

 I’ve been doing hip-hop just over 8 months now, I dropped my first tape ‘SPRINGTIME SORROWS’ on October 31st and after that wanted to have a little chill. In December I started writing again and by the end of January had basically everything finished from beats to recorded vocals.

My goal going into it was to come across as more focussed, both on beat production and lyricism and flow. Going into writing and record I would research rhyming patterns and different flows for inspiration – I was (and still am) very heavy into Tyler, the Creator’s ‘Flower Boy’ so I think that played a huge part on the mixtape as well.

Where and when did you put this mixtape together?

 Basically 99% of the mixtape was recorded in my house from the months of December to January. However, when I got back from the US, a mate and I re-recorded the vocals on ‘BASTARD’ at his studio in The Hills.

 Did you work with anyone else? If so, who?

 Yeah, a couple people actually. Shout outs Tim (TIMBA) who features on track three, ‘WINTER’, Tom Elliot who helped me re-record some of the vocals on ‘BASTARD’ and for featuring in the pre-chorus, and big thanks to Sam Lloyd (BLAINE STRANGER) who mixed and mastered the whole thing.

 How did you first start playing music?

 I’ve been playing in music in bands since like year 9 – so like, about 7 or 8 years ago. Jumped from a bunch of bands with my mates, to playing more semi-professionally in a heavy metal band known as Under Night’s Cover from 2013-2017 as the lead vocalist until we eventually dissolved as a band! (RIP UNC).

 Who are you listening to at the moment?

 I’m not listening to anything too specific at the moment actually, I’m listening to a couple scattered singles – JPEGMAFIA’s ‘1539 N. Calvert’ is a staple right now, Flower Boy is always on constant rotation. The new Drake tunes are really, really good too. I’ve also been listening to a couple local bands – Sagrada Familiar, who just dropped a killer debut album, and Papaya Tree who are killing the scene rn.

 What do you like to do outside of music?

 Outside of music, when I can find the time, I love cooking, hanging out with my boys and/or girlfriend hahaha – I love getting around the Mario Kart also. I’m also currently volunteering/interning at Lentil As Anything in Newtown, which can be pretty cool. We hold an open mic once a month if anybody wants to come down.

I just love down time, and like, sleep. Hahahahaha.

 What do you have planned for the remainder of 2018?

 I’m currently jamming with a couple good friends for live shows with a band in support of the mixtape. So hopefully the wheels on that can start spinning REAL soon. Asides from that, I’m setting my sights on recording a third mixtape before the end of the year, if not a debut album.

 Favourite food and place to hangout?

 I’m no stranger to a good feed but I’m a massive, massive fan of Asian cuisine – I go absolutely crazy for a fat bowl of Ramen from the Ippudo in Westfield in the city. My fave place to hang out is probs my house tho.

 

 Insta: @johnny4rmtheburbs

Facey: www.facebook.com/johnny4rmtheburbs

Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnny4rmburbs

Unearthed: https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/johnny-burbs

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Van Oasis

by the partae
written by the partae
Where are you currently based? Melbourne
How did you first start playing music and how did you progress into playing live?
I’ve been a drummer all my life and played various other instruments aswell but had an injury at one point three years ago that forced me to stop playing. Couple months when recovering I discovered Ableton and House music and started creating music. It was an alternative to playing actual instruments and aloud me to express myself musically still. Now I can play Instruments again and record them all the time in my tracks but without the injury I would of probably never picked up Ableton and started to make electronic house music.
 Please tell a little about yourself:
I am a Melbourne based Producer/DJ under the alias of Van Oasis. Creating music that is a reflection of my love for several genres and styles such as house, disco, Italo and worldly beats. Combining these with my background of percussion and drums, I create unique electronic pieces that cannot be reduced to a single genre.
Your latest EP release entitled “KILLERS//LOVERS” https://soundcloud.com/van-oasis/sets/killerslovers
 
 
Vanoasis is full of natural elements and grooving electronic grooves, where and when did you record?
I record this ep in my bedroom with the help of a few friends (producers) and some late nights I produced this really dynamic EP last year.
What programs and equipment did you use?
 
I use Ableton as my DAW with alot of Sampling from old bargain bin records. I started investing in hardware though as I really found you couldn’t compare the sound of a real Korg M1 piano with a plug in version. So a use of hardware like the M1, a tr-8 is great for laying down drum beats really quickly and have just acquired some new synths with a Roland Ju-06 n Jx-03.
 
What influenced the tracks on this EP?
 

Been Djing for nearly two years at the time I was opening my horizons to lots of house music and electro beats. So very housey drum beats and staby chord lines were things that influenced me from the dj side of things but before I started listening to house music I really enjoyed some ambient and moody tracks from producers like Taylor Mcferrin, King Kurle and Tame Impala so there is some influences from these acts I still listen to all the time.

How do you usually go about writing songs?
 
I have a bedroom studio and I generally like to find samples off old records, sample them and try vibe out something that comes to mind when listening. Sometimes I just sit at my piano or a synth for hours and play around without the intention of making anything and usually something will come out of it and I will try develop them. I like to only make music in the studio though as it becomes the place of creativity instead of taking a laptop around the place making tracks. It feels like a good area to develop sounds.
 
 
Have you been working on any new material lately? 
I have a next EP with another Melbourne Producer Tony Chocoloney – Together we have made an 80’s inspired disco house record full of fun grooving beats that will sure to tune some heads when it’s released. It is entitled ‘Body Balm EP’ and we are looking very forward to seeing what people think of it.
How has the collaborative process been with Tony?
 
Tony Is a musical genius and is really inspiring to develop music with. There is laughs and pure brilliants working with him. Together we really enjoy the same house and disco jams and discuss new releases and thing we could remix or work on together as we are just excited to make music for the fun of it.
 
How did the colab come about?
 
We just seemed know the same people and meet after been booked together on the same bill one night djing. Thought we would keep in touch and have a jam. When we did we wrote 3 of the 4 songs on the ep in 3 days. We just clicked so well together and will continue to do so.
 
Where will we be able to hear the new EP?
Well that one is under wraps when and where and how you can listen to it 😉 so you just have to keep on checking in on us to find out.
 
You run an event brand called HomeTurf, how’s HomeTurf going?
HomeTurf has been a really great way for me to experience and explore the music industry from a booker, promotor, manager and dj perspective. It has been a really organic and flowing journey learning about how a show runs or what is expected in the behind the scenes of running events. Slowly I will keep expanding the brand and hopefully create a label but for now we will keep doing what we are because it seems to be working. Party on!
How did HomeTurf start?

HomeTurf started after seeing a bunch of local talent around me not getting gigs because they didn’t know how to get bookings or where not involved in crews. So I just started running events with my friends and local artists. Then we went a step further doing free mixtapes of producers tracks as a hub to support and showcase some of their talent.

What do you have planned for the rest of 2018?

We have just started diving into booking international acts this year starting with Germans very own Black Loops we did back in January. Continuing to book some bigger acts and try get into as much different clubs and spread the word is the mission for the rest of the year. Hopefully turn HomeTurf into a record label next year though imprinting original records for vinyl aswell as still holding great parties around Melbourne.
 
Favourite food and place to hangout?

Melbourne is overfilled with places to hang out and eat but I’d say Favourite bar : Palm Royale – Little cocktail bar in richmond that plays some disco tunes, knows my drink orders ( A Harvey Wallbanger with pineapple Juice) and has a tiki theme decor. Very Van Oasis style.  Favourite club : New Guernica – a cozy and interesting club with decor that changes as you walk through. One room is a Carnaval theme dance floor the other a Kitchen rave room, another a private country club quarters where you can have private conversations and relax, and favourite Food spot in Melbourne : Lazer Pig – Wood fire pizza with amazing choices I go there maybe every month with my girlfriend.

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Music InterviewsMusic News

Sam Feldt

by the partae
written by the partae

Where are you currently based?

I’m currently based in the capital of my country Amsterdam, in the Netherlands.

Your new single Sam Feldt & Möwe – Down for Anything (feat. KARRA) is out, where and when did you record?

The track has been in the works for quite some time now, I think around half a year. Möwe approached me with this amazing vocal by Karra and the idea to make a track together. We hit the studio and connected really well creatively!

What influenced the song writing for this track?

Together with Möwe, we decided to create and produce a song that captures the feel of the warmer days that are ahead of us. We were really looking for a song that played well on the radio, has a catchy melody to it and sticks in your mind right from the beginning. Together with the sweet and poppy vocals provided by KARRA, I think we pretty much nailed it and we managed to get the results we were looking for.

How was it working with KARRA?

It was amazing, she has such a beautiful voice and she immediately knew what we wanted to achieve. It was an absolute breeze working with her. Next to being an incredible singer, she’s also one of the sweetest girls I know. I think we will be hearing a lot more from KARRA in the future.

How did you first start playing music?

I started playing the piano when I was around the age of 8, It didn’t take long before I decided I didn’t just want to play music, I also wanted to create it. When I was 11, I started DJ’ing for friends and family and before I knew it I was travelling with my dad across the country with my own drive-in DJ show. At age 17, I set foot in a club for the very first time. Right away, I knew this was something I wanted to pursue professionally. I wanted to be the guy who plays the records that people dance.

Your debut album From Sunrise to Sunset gained a lot of momentum just months after its debut in October of 2017, what influenced the sound of this album?

The Philosophy behind the two albums combined was to create music for each hour within a day. Whenever you listen to the album, you’ll find a song that perfectly matched the time of day. Sunset, which was released as a surprise album and is the follow up to Sunrise, tied the two albums together. Combined, they represent the 24 hours within a day, hence the title ‘From Sunrise to Sunset’.

How have things changed for you as a consequence of releasing Sunrise to Sunset?

I think releasing the album, shows the world the sound of Sam Feldt and is my gift to all the fans out there, It’s also the perfect opportunity to give new listeners a good idea what Sam Feldt is all about. I had so much music that I wanted to share with my fans, so I thought turning this music into an album would be the best way to do it. It also opened up the door to something I have been wanting to do for quite some time now and that is bringing all these live instruments that I use in my productions to the stage, together with my live band.

You supported the Sunrise Tour with the addition of band members and live instruments which led you to travel the world and play at the biggest venues. This year you will continue to travel the globe with your band in addition to your solo DJ sets. What do you find most enjoyable and challenging whilst touring?

The most enjoyable part about bringing the live band with me on tour is the extra dimension they add to the show. The energy goes through the roof and with the addition of live instruments you can really provide the audience with a complete different experience you normally wouldn’t be able to with just djing. The most challenging part might be streamlining all our agendas, because next to touring together we all have our own separate projects that also demand our time.

Do the crowds interact with you differently when you have the live band as compared to a solo DJ set?

Absolutely, when adding live instruments you get a much more dynamic performance on stage. People are not just looking at me to interact with but also the guys who are playing the instruments. In my opinion it gives the experience more depth for the people in the crowd, but also the interaction I have with the rest of the band takes it to another level and was something I always wanted to do. Seeing people play their instruments live simply adds that extra something.

In February you surprised us with your new remix album: ‘After the Sunset’ this is packed with 16 songs that are more club-oriented versions of tracks from your debut album, remixed by some amazing artists.  Who did you work with on this remix album?

The remix album is packed with so many great artists, like Calvo, Mesto, Breathe Carolina, Zonderling, Toby Green, DJ Licious, Redondo and many more awesome producers. I was blown away by the end result and the remixes they delivered. It’s so cool to hear your music being remixed by others and to see what they made of the tracks. I’m super happy with the remix album and I feel blessed by what they did to the tracks.

Why did you decide to release a remix album?

Over the past 2 to 3 years, I worked so hard on creating my own album, which resulted in 24 tracks that represented the Sam Feldt sound, to the best of my abilities. Because I spend so much time on this album and having so much material, I not only wanted to share it with the fans, but I was also wanted to have other producers take my music for a spin and have them make their versions of some of the tracks. It’s just incredible to see this happen to you music and hear their interpretation of something that means so much to you. After receiving so much love from the fans from around the globe after my debut album and my supporting tour, I thought it would be the perfect gift to surprise them with a brand-new remix album, filled with tracks they know by heart, put into a more club oriented style. The album adds to the wide spectrum of music that Sam Feldt stands for and adds yet another chapter to the story I want to tell through my music.

What do you most enjoy about playing music?

In general, I think music is the ultimate universal language there is. Give people a bass drum and we automatically start to move. I think music is something we can relate to on a very deep and emotional level, so being able to play people music enables you to share a certain emotion and take them on a trip by guiding them through your musical journey. Being able to do that is such a magical experience.

To see the fans get excited and share their love for something you created is indescribable. You get so much love back from the people on the dancefloor and that on its own creates a very special connection that automatically strengthens itself, making me work even harder to deliver.

In March you returned to Miami Music Week with your Heartfeldt Poolparty. How was this show and how did the concept come about and come into fruition?

Miami Music Week on itself is always a special happening. This year we decided to do another Heartfeldt Poolparty like we did last year. Again, it turned out to be a huge success. We sold out pretty quickly and it was absolutely one I will remember for a long time. We had some incredible artists on the lineup such as: Goldfish, Hook N Sling, Jay Hardway and SNBRN. KARRA also joined me on stage to perform our newest single ‘Down for Anything’ together with me for the first time. Overall, we had the best time ever and the crowd seemed to love it from the moment the first records was played.

At the beginning of this year you hinted through an Instagram post about plans for a more sustainable world, please elaborate on this:

Traveling the world as a DJ has been what I wanted to do with my life from a very young age, but it comes at a cost however. With over 200 flights per year I consider myself to be among the most polluting persons in the world. In the upcoming weeks I will shed more light on the projects I’ve been working on lately. I’ll be announcing a way in which I’ll become carbon neutral from this day worth and who I teamed up with, in my pursue to these goals. There are a lot of projects I’m currently focusing on, so keep a close eye on my socials because more info is coming very soon. In the meantime, try to ask yourself, what it is that you can do to make a better world, starting today.

You run the App Fangage: How is this App progressing?

Very well! We are now hosting fan portals for over 35 top influencers in music and sports and allowing them to get closer to their fans. Right now, over 200.000 active users are using the application to access exclusive content they can’t find anywhere else and that number is increasing by 10% every month. We have so many cool new features in the pipeline that I can’t wait to show you guys!

What do you have planned for the remainder of 2018?

2018 is doing well so far, I’ve just released my brand new single together with Möwe and KARRA called ‘Down for Anything’, I’ve got a couple of other music projects on the horizon, which I can’t talk too much about. The festival season is also getting closer and looking at my tour schedule makes me super excited about the Summer months to come. We’ve got so many cool shows coming up, with my live band or as a solo DJ. I think the rest of this year is going to be awesome and I can’t wait to see my fans from across the world again

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Music Interviews

Black Stone Cherry

by the partae
written by the partae

What is your name and role within Black Stone Cherry?

-Ben Wells and I play Guitar

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

-I live in my home state of Kentucky. It’s beautiful here! The music scene varies from country, bluegrass, rock, and indie. It’s very diverse!

You’ve had huge success with your last LP Kentucky – and the Blues covers EP Black to Blues was also well received, where and when did you record Family Tree?

 -We recorded Family Tree the same place we did Kentucky and Black To Blues! It’s located in Glasgow, KY at Barrick Recording Studio. It’s a great place to record-great vibe and sounds! The owner/engineer, David Barrick is one of our longtime friends and is great to work with!

What programs and equipment did you use?

-We recorded to Pro Tools. As far as mics, I really can’t tell ya that… that’s not my department! Haha. But i used Gibson, Fender, Epiphone, and Gretsch guitars with a Budda SuperDrive 45 amp.

How did you first start playing music?

-Elvis Presley made we want to start playing music and entertaining   He is my biggest influence hands down! My parents gave me a guitar for Christmas when i was probably 7 years old. Never looked back!

The new album Family Tree was written, recorded and produced in a very organic fashion – all the band members participated in the creation of it (and all BSC releases)  – so very much a “family affair” what were the highlights of this process?

-Yes, we are all very much hands on when it comes to BSC. Highlights as far as writing would be the fact that we wrote most of this record while on tour on the bus. It was really cool because each day we would gather in the back lounge and come up with a new song! Recording is always fun. We don’t like a stressful work environment, so it was very laid back and fun!

I hear that the Album was influenced by all the music that you all grew up with such as Cream, Led Zeppelin and The Faces plus blues legend Muddy Waters, please describe your usual song writing process:

 -There really is no method for us. Most of the time a song starts with a guitar riff or melody, then everything else falls into place as long as everyone in the band likes the particular riff. Someone will come up with an idea, and the rest of us will dive in! Or sometimes a song will come from jamming all together at soundcheck, which is really cool!

The theme of Family is very strong with Black Stone Cherry – you have been together a very long time and are a really tight unit.  Your drummer John-Fred’s dad is in a band (still going) called Kentucky Headhunters –and BSC as a young band rehearsed in their practice house.  How did BSC form and why did you think BSC has lasted so long?

-We formed in 2001. I met the guys in June of that year. The other 3 guys went to the same school-I was from another county over. When we all jammed the first time, it was instant chemistry! We knew we had a band. I think we all just shared the same common goal and focus to be friends and make music together. We have stayed together so long because we are family first-band second.

Legendary musician Warren Haynes is a guest on the album – and singer Chris’ 5 year old son sings backup on a track, how did both of these guests come to be on the album?

-Chris’ son was a very spontaneous thing! Chris’ wife and son dropped by the studio one day and he has been singing that song so we basically put a mic up to him, stood him up in a chair and had him sing it! It was so cool!

Warren has been an influence on us for many years. We met him several years ago and have always been fans. We knew he would sound great on “Dancin in the rain” so we asked him if he wanted to be a part of it. He said, absolutely, so we sent him the tracks to his studio and he knocked it out of the park! Very honored to have him on this record!

What do you have planned for the remainder of 2018?  

-Touring and promoting the new album is the plan!

Will you be returning back to AU?

-We hope to return very soon! We have really enjoyed the past two tours we have done in Australia and can not wait to return!

“Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On”

Ben Wells

WEBSITE           FACEBOOK         TWITTER           INSTAGRAM 

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Music Interviews

Dave Hole

by the partae
written by the partae

Where are you currently based?

Perth

How did you first start playing music and what do you attribute to long and fruitful career as a musician within Australia and internationally?

I started messing with guitar when I was eleven after becoming smitten with all the twangy guitar sounds I was hearing coming from the family radio.  I retired at the age of twelve but took it up again when my friend roped me into a high school band he was forming.

   My long career in Australia before being ‘discovered’ internationally is probably due to a combination of bloody-minded perserverance and not being much good at anything else!  My international career came about by virtue of a lucky break when the right people heard and liked my first album.  For many deserving musicians this just never happens.  I feel very fortunate.

When it comes to playing guitar, do you have any tips for the best method of practice?

 I’m told that it’s just about putting in all those hours and being disciplined about it.  In my late teens I did sit for hours on end in my bedroom listening to all the blues greats and jamming along with them but I now practice only spasmodically.  I do like to improvise and experiment on stage, however, which I guess is kind of like practising on the job.

Who are some of your favourite guitarists – both Australian and international and why, dead or alive and why?

OK – my list of Australian greats would have to include Kevin Borich, Peter Walker, Phil Manning, Mal Eastick, Jeff Lang, John Meyer, Kent Hughes, Ian Moss, Lindsay Wells and Dutch Tilders.  Apologies to all those I’ve left out.  What I like about these players is that they all have uniquely identifiable styles.

  Internationally some of my absolute favourites would be: Elmore James, whose recordings inspired me to take up slide guitar; Robert Johnson, who pretty much ‘wrote the book’ of blues standards; Buddy Guy, who can ring more emotion out of a Strat than just about anyone I know; Albert Collins, who had a unique style, was absolute ‘master of the Telecaster’ and a hell of a nice guy; Freddie King, the most powerful force of nature ever unleased on a blues guitar; and then there’s Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan – what can you say about them? They took blues guitar playing to it’s zenith and then some!  These guys are only the tip of the iceburg.  There’s been so many.  Of all living guitarists the one I most revere is Derek Trucks.

It’s been a few years between releases, what do you like doing away from music?

I like to play tennis, go to the movies, hang out with friends, go for a run, spend time down on Western Australia’s southern coast – basically just living like anyone else.  Being out on the road all the time can be great fun but it’s not ‘real life’.

How has the music scene changed since you first started?

When I started out the pubs were in full swing all over the country.  Now that they’ve all but disappeared we lost that excellent training ground for young performers to learn the craft of playing live.  Nowadays you get these amazingly talented kids coming straight out of their bedrooms and onto national TV etc.  They may have great songs and great voices but I don’t hear much instrumental improvising from them.  That is something that only playing lots of live gigs with other musicians seems to foster and I confess that I miss it in today’s music.  The other huge change is the digital revolution which has changed the way music is recorded, delivered and listened to.  In some respects the internet has prised open the vice-like grip of the major record companies and been somewhat liberating. A really good artist doesn’t need a major these days to be heard.  Unfortunately, neither does a mediocre one!

What is your setup when recording and playing live guitar, pedals, amps?

Over the years my use of pedals has diminished.  I have three on stage at the moment: a Roger Mayer Axis pedal, an Ibanez CP9 compressor and an Australian made MI Audio Blue Boy Overdrive.  Most of the time only the Axis pedal is on.  My amp is either a Fender 1962 Bassman Head or a Marshall Silver Jubilee.  In both cases the speaker cabinet is a 4×12 Marshall with 25 Watt ‘Greenbacks’.

Who are what influences your songwriting and playing?

This is hard to answer.  I never really know where the songs come from.  John Hiatt reckons that they’re just in the air and if your antenna is up at the time when one is passing you might catch one.  I tend to agree.  If I start out with a guitar in my hand you can bet that it’s going to be a blues and what comes out will be fragments from a lifetime of listening – half remembered bits and pieces that get subconsciously combined into something that might be considered new.  Lyrically I’m influenced by people and events around me that I observe.  Quite often I’ll write about someone else in the first person which can lead to some misapprehensions on the part of listeners.  When I’m performing I try to give free reign to my emotions and let all and any of my musical influences just flow.  That’s part of the excitement of flying by the seat of your pants and doing so much improvising.  The other part of course is not knowing just when you’re going to fall flat on your face.

How do you keep the creative juices and desire to perform live going at the sexy age of 69?

I don’t know.  It’s just still there, as strong as it ever was.  I take heart from the fact that John Lee Hooker and BB King were still producing great music well into their eighties.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

Bukka White, The Alabama Shakes, Rory Gallagher, Lake Street Dive, Ali Akbar Khan, Little Feet, Steve Winwood.

Does living in Perth (the most isolated capital city in the world) help or hinder your creativity?

Well it probably does both in different ways.  I think it’s helped a lot of us from over here to be a bit more individual.  We don’t have quite as many other musicians around us to copy or to learn from and  so we just go our own way – for better or worse.  It probably helps you become proficient a lot quicker if you’re able to see great musicians all around you but if you don’t have that you tend to come up with your own musical solutions.

What do you have planned for the remainder of 2018/19?

It’s been hectic getting the album out, so after the May tour I’ll take a couple of months off to relax and do a bit more writing  I would like to tour Australia again in October to get to some of the places we’re missing this time – Adelaide, Canberra, regional centres etc.  I won’t be going overseas until 2019 and even then I won’t be doing an all-states US tour. It just takes too long.  I’m at that stage in my career where I’ll only do things that are really enjoyable – so some selected US and European shows but not the long list of one-nighters

(album out April 27 via Only Blues Music)  Dave touring Australia May 2018 – check website for details. US tour likely for later in year.

FACEBOOK        WEBSITE

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Music Interviews

Bruce Mathiske

by the partae
written by the partae

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

I live in Newcastle but because I am a touring act I am not really part of the local scene however Newcastle is undergoing huge change I am led to believe it is developers with curfews versus  music venues and artists. But ultimately, I think change is good and I hope the scene will flourish again.

How did you first start playing music?

I used to watch my older cousin, Trev, strum a few chords. Then at age seven I started lessons and learnt those same chords, then wanted to play “that other fancy stuff” which was lead guitar. From that wherever I found a teacher, classical in Bendigo, Jazz on The Gold Coast and Sydney and whist still playing in rock bands, I just loved to play and learn.

How would you describe yourself as an artist and your musical styles – you have covered such a diverse range of music:

Guitarist/Composer with “world music” flavours, it’s a real melting pot but I like rhythmic music.

How did you come to compose for other instruments and an orchestra? What are the greatest challenges?

It’s all instinct and hearing a melody or counter melody then assigning the appropriate instrument. I do love the deeper instruments like Cello and Bassoon and the beautiful chords a brass section can play.

Was it a risk stepping outside the comfort zone of guitar?  Is that what appealed to you?

Rule 1 – Have no fear! As I really compose for myself first, I am pretty good at saying this is how it must be, it sounds and feels good.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

I don’t listen to much music as I like to keep my ears fresh. I hardly ever listen to guitar music. Currently in my car, I have Cold Chisel and Mumford & Sons.

What or who influences your songwriting process?

I love Ennio Morricones “The Mission” and Pink Floyds ‘The Wall”

Who are some of your favourite guitarists – both Australian and international and why?

Ian Moss for his tone and phrasing

Leo Kottke – I just love his pieces

Django Reinhardt – The raw gypsy energy

Who are some of your favourite composers and why?

Ennio Morricone and Roger Waters as they write very emotionally, sometimes dark. As a composer, I am not supposed to Like Andrew Lloyd Webber but sometimes it takes courage to write a simple, happy piece and not complicate it for the critics.

What do you have planned for 2018 / 2019?

2018, new solo album and tour and beyond that I don’t have any plans at all and I find that exciting!!

Favourite food and place to hangout?

I love hanging out at home with my wife and pooch and also riding my motorbike to the beach.

I seem to always end up at Thai when we dine out but sometimes you can’t beat a good old fashioned roast.

WEBSITE 

FACEBOOK 

Bruce touring Australia April thru June – check website for details and tickets.

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Music InterviewsMusic News

Taao Kross

by the partae
written by the partae

How did you first start playing electro and progressive house?

I started very young and at home, I imagine that like almost everyone. First trying to mix with cassette and later with turntables!

What do you attribute to your success?

I believe success in life in general, and at a professional level I still have a long way to go, although I

am working hard to achieve it!

Your recent track ‘Evolet’ is out now, where and when did you record it?

Evolet came up very quickly, the sound came to my mind and I shot it in the studio. It’s a club sound,

now I’m just working in another direction.

What inspired the songwriting for Evolet?

I needed to transmit something fresh, with punch, with much joy and it was achieved.

You had a massive touring schedule in 2017, what do you find most rewarding and challenging of maintaining such a busy schedule?

I love to be on tour continuously, this year we have the obligation to overcome 2017 in everything.

I have to keep doing a lot in my career and I do not want to stop. I want more shows, more

productions, more collaborations and even more interviews … hahahaha

 You had a massive residency at Pacha, how did you prepare for each show?

I really like to improvise, I am one of those who look at the track and give them what they ask for.

Although after so many shows at PACHA I already know the public well and I like to drive them crazy.

 What do you think think is the key to a successful string of residency shows such as the Pacha shows?

Hard work, passion, a lot of sacrifice, a lot of excitement … all this is what TAAO KROSS adds up

every day to keep taking steps in the industry.

What do you have planned for the rest of 2018 in Ibiza and the rest of the world?

Keep working, soon I can reveal that you will be with me at IBIZA, but there are very nice things,

many shows in many countries and a lot of music to play

You have all the info on my website … www.taaokrossmusic.com

Are you or will you be working on new music?

I’m working on a lot of music, on incredible things that excite me a lot, on completely new sounds, I

want to innovate in the electronic scene and I have to get there!

What influences your songwriting and sound as a whole?

It influences me from my life day to day, experience, the family … I try to relate the sounds to

everything that surrounds me.

 Favourite place to hangout?

IBIZA I adore her for all that she has given me, for all that she gives me and for all that we are going

to do together.

 What hobbies do you have outside of music?

Enjoy the family, my friends from my city and the other life outside the shows and music.

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Music Interviews

Albert Savage

by the partae
written by the partae
Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like there?
 
New Jersey. The US of A.  The music scene here is really good.  We have a lot of talented people here in the North East, and a lot of music to listen to.  You just have to look for it.  I can’t say for other states, but it’s a little competitive in NJ.  Music I think is meant to build a musical community, it goes further when that is in play.  Lots of – this is mine, and this is also mine.  We don’t like that philosophy. We try to keep the big door open as much as other will allow us to, and share our accomplishments with our peers and fellow musicians.
 
What is your name and role within Albert Savage?
 
My name is Mike Frank, and I write, sing, and play guitar in the group.  I also bring the snacks. ? 


How did you first start playing music?
 
My Father bought home a guitar from a yard sale when I was a pup, and he played in a country band while I was growing up. So one could say he started all this and you can thank him for all of it.  I was always in pubs, and places when I was a kid.  I picked up on music at a young age. 
 
Pup, that is what they call a kid down under right?
 
You played festivals in the summer, did you have a favorite festival of the summer? If so, which and why?
 
I think all of them are our favorite.  Festival times are the times that you get to play for people wanting music in a big open setting.  Mad Summer Melt Down 17′ had some cool acts to be on a bill with, but so did all of the festivals. Kung Fu killed it.  We played 7 festivals last year, and we really got to meet some talented musicians in 2017.  Musikfest was good this past year because there was a baby grand piano we got to pull up and use.  I remember wondering who has to lug that thing around at the stage company?  I also remember not having two of the same socks at that show, and some how that effected my performance. 
 The band went to the video shoot with Relix magazine in NYC where you also recorded, how was this experience?
 
The experience is one that we all really kind of marked as a accomplishment.  Get into a major publication was on our band bucket list. Relix magazine started to cover recording the Grateful Dead back in the 70’s and just went on from there so, it was cool to be in a office with all the staff working in their nice office set up, you know, covering music and reporting on all these musical endeavors.  Setting up and playing in a office was weird to myself, I can’t speak for the rest of the band, but imagine you go into an office and a band sets up in a room surrounded by desks, and plays some music while you are drinking your morning coffee checking email.  I wish I had that at work.  I thought to myself this must be a cool place to come to work everyday.    
 
You played Musikfest in 2017, the biggest free music festival in the USA, how did you prepare for this gig and how was it playing such a massive festival?
 
We practiced a lot, and then some more, and then made a set list on a napkin 5 minutes before went on.  Musikfest is always a shot in the dark for some to get in.  Obviously you will get selected if you keep submitting, but it’s a process yearly.  We had to play on the street on their doorstep for a year to get some recognition.  What I mean by that is, there was a art studio we would play free demonstrations with the glass blowers, and we kind of got in through all of those shows for the glass guys.  We watched some awesome glass be created in front of us, while playing to a open bay door in Bethlehem Pa.  They must of heard it, cause they hired us for the festival.
 
How did all these festivals come about?
 
All the festivals came about by meeting the right people, and reaching out through websites with press kits.  A lot of sending, and little response in that world. For every 10 emails, if you get 1 back then you did well. These festivals are flooded with submissions year after year, and most the groups all have chops to back their requests to get on the stage.   One of our favorite promoters we met is Grateful Dick. He really helped us get into some other places, and out of Jersey for a hot minute.  I think once you are “in” with the Dick’s of the world, people like him enjoy bringing music to people and placing people together in bigger events.  It has to be cool to run a festival like Lockin. That is one festival we want to be at!  We would like to get out of the USA and play some festivals in other parts of the world, I think that is on the list.
 
Who are you listening to at the moment?
 
Medeski, Scofield, Martin, & Wood – A Go Go
 
Please tell us about your album?
 
The album “Savage on the High Seas” is on ITunes right now, and I don’t think to many people know about it.  So this is good. The recording session was a big accomplishment for the band in early 2017 because we did the whole CD in two days in a state of the art 24 track studio.  We recorded live in Asbury Park NJ, a place that Bruce Springsteen made famous back in the day. Although we sound nothing like him, it was cool to record our new record in the same town.  New Jersey bred musicians here…  
 
What equipment and programs did you use to record?
 
All of our own gear instrument wise was used. Guitars, Bass, Drums, Organ, Percussion.  We recorded digitally this time, through a 71 Neve Console.  The one like Dave Ghrol uses.  The last album was under my own bands name Mike Frank & Friends, and we recorded to 2″ tape.  The sound was fat.  That album “A Doorway Beyond” was mostly the same group.  It is a good listen as well.  Our engineer Tim, he did a good job of keeping us moving during the two 8 hour sessions.  Again, lots of practice is needed for the studio cause it can get expensive. 
 
What or who influences your songwriting?
 
The people in my life influence the thought process on the songs when I write.  “Are you gonna be on time today?”, is a lyric that I ask myself everyday at 5am.  There is a little inside joke of a story behind most the songs, and some are just straight up fiction that come from outer space.  I sit on my roof with a net, and scoop the songs out of the air.  Maybe it’s a little turbulence and change that are a factor as well, and sometimes our favorite groups pop in and out of our playing collectively.  The songs call for a internal perspective, that sounds kind of ambiguous and vague, but we all have a perspective.  Really it’s a mix of all of that.  Life influences the songs, so I suppose that is why it is the living art.  I like Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zepplin and good music is good music.  I like it all.  Panella likes Medeski, Martin & Wood and other rock like the Doors, and some other jazz stuff.  Steve and I always share the music of the Grateful Dead, and Phish, but he likes the funk a lot.  Gotta have that funk!  Todd is into the classic rock bands as well as jazz, and blues.  He attended music school, and knows the theory of it all pretty well, as does most of the band.  Sometimes I don’t know what I’m playing at all, and he’s like, “Son, this is actually what you are doing right here.”  I know the Who is one of his favorites.  Rakow draws on a lot of  golden classics as well, but turns anything on guitar into his own ripping guitar lines. He really has his own style.  All of these influences make our sound pretty unique.   
 
What do you like to do outside of music?
 
I know we all do our own thing outside of this little group.  Todd enjoys a good sailing trip on his boat, and spending time by his woodstove.  He collects corn cob pipes and enjoys a smoke with a glass of something good by the fire in these dark winter months.   At heart Todd loves his family time. Something about that just sound comfy.  Panella is very into the arts with his Glass projects. I swear he is never not busy, and is always on the move working with musicians who play hammond organs.  He knows Hammonds inside and out, and repairs them for touring acts.  The stuff Panella creates in his spare time is really awesome, and he teaches glass students on a regular basis.  if you meet him, and spend time with him, you will probably get recruited into assisting him in the shop.  Steve is a music fanatic, and attends open jams a lot to keep his chops up when it’s not hibernation time.  Even in his down time he likes to create.  Steve’s last project was a electrified wash board for when we play acoustically.  He hooked it up to a wah wah pedal, and well, it sounds like a wash board through a wah wah pedal.   Rakow brews beer in New Jersey at River Horse Brewing Co.  Although it is his Job, being the head brewer I think takes up a part of his social life as well with all the craft shows. We always have fun playing the brewery events.  I know he is very smart when it comes to electrical components too, I need my q-tron fixed, and I keep forgetting to ask him to fix it.  My self, I enjoy my garden, treasure hunting, and learning new skills for when the end of the world is upon us.  I grew so many tomatoes and veggies last year, I was giving them away.  I like cooking, and doing the family thing, and hanging out with my girl friend.
 
What do you have planned for the remainder of 2018?
 
We want to do some music videos this year, a bunch of music videos, obviously play shows and keep up the grind work.  How about a trip to Australia?  We’re all down to play down under.
 
Favorite food and place to hangout?
 
Pizza…. duhhhh!  What else is there? Sushi, nahh… I think sun flower seeds are the food most like the music industry.  A lot of work, and little pay off.  Strangely satisfying.   Do they make bags of pre-shelled sun flower seeds?  I’m just kidding there, I enjoy seeing people smile when we play.  That is what it’s all about.  The hang outs of local musicians and open mics are always fun to shoot the breeze.  I haven’t been to many lately, but that is going to change coming up here shortly.
 
I like to hang out in the garden and turn on the tunes, watch the bees and the butterflies do their thing.   It’s relaxing and people need more of that.  People need less artificial light and cubicles.  Kick off your shoes and let your feet be in the dirt for a minute.  Have some friends over and watch the plants grow, and eat together.  That is good for the soul.  If more people did this, we’d understand more about each other and less hungry.  All of it, music, art, socializing, reading, learning useful practical skills, sailing, that is what it’s all about.  You have to do your own thing to make music.
 
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Music Interviews

Anderson East

by the partae
written by the partae

Your new album Encore is out now, where and when did you record?

We recorded it in the restoring RCA A studio in Nashville Tennessee (where I live, as well) with my friend, Dave Cobb producing it. We did all of over 2017 but it was in sporadic bursts since we were on the road so frequently.

What or who has inspired the songwriting and sound of Encore?

We were very inspired by all sorts of classic and modern sounds but we had the intention of making every song have the ability to be played as the encore during a live performance.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

NPR mostly, Howard Stern, Travis Meadows, Foy Vance.

How did you first start playing music?

It came from singing in church as a child but when I was in my early teen years, I received a 4-track tape record and the fascination of making records is what ultimately maintained my interest in making music.

Encore features the singles All On My Mind and King For A Day. Encore is a strong mix of blues and soul, with a Nashville twist. Where did the blues and soul influences come from?

Probably growing up in Alabama.

 What programs/equipment do you use? 

I’m all over the place when it comes to that. We use a mix of modern and vintage recording equipment. We track to tape but then dump to ProTools for quick work flow.

What do you enjoy most about playing music?

The community, be it other musician, engineers, songwriters, etc…. but the greatest is the community with the audience.

How do you prepare for each show?

I usually have dinner, do about 20 minutes of yoga, warm up the throat, listen to some loud music with the fellas, have some Jameson and then rock and roll.

Favourite food and place to hang out?

Usually Thai…

The bus.

 

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