Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/vanbergmusic/

Triple J Unearthed Link: https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/van-berg

What is your name and role within Black Pontiac?

My name’s Matty Mclaren and I’m the lead vocalist for Vancouver Black Pontiac.

Where are you currently based?

Currently I’m riding out the 2nd year of our ‘two week’ pandemic lockdown from Vancouver, Canada.

How did Black Pontiac form?

The band formed after myself and Mac Riddell (who plays guitar like no other) started hanging out and writing songs together. Eventually we added Mac’s brother Sam into the equation on drums, and after a revolving door of bassists we found our guy in Avery John Shoesmith. The name comes from the old Pontiac Sunfire that Mac used to drive. We used to hop in the back of that tiny thing and just mob out all over the city.

What’s been happening recently?

We’ve been putting the last finishing touches on our debut album “From Bad to Worse (and Back Again)” that we’re hoping to put out later this year or early 2022!

Your new single ‘Island Honey’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?

I think the pop elements and storytelling nature of the song definitely came from the band Peach Pit. Neil Smith (the lead singer) has a way of crafting incredibly vivid stories that elicit this tender, bittersweet emotion from the little moments in life we often take for granted. He went to my high school and was a big reason I wanted to be in a band in the first place.

How did you go about writing “Island Honey”?

Like most of our best songs, it typically starts with Mac and I getting together and hanging out. He pulled out this chord progression he’d been playing around with. It wasn’t actually meant to be on the album but we ended up finishing it during pre production and figured we might as well.

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

We recorded the song a few months ago with our boy Matt Dipomponio out of Echoplant Studios in Port Coquitlam, BC. He’s been a de facto 5th member through the process of engineering, producing, and mixing our entire record. The album is currently being mastered by Brock Mcfarlane of CPS Mastering.

How did you approach the recording process?

We came to Matt with the idea, and he told us we should finish it. Once we had decided we were including the song on the track list, we tracked all the drums at once. We then switched between bass, guitar, some synths specifically for Island Honey, and eventually vocals. It really depended on how we were feeling when we went into the studio in the morning. The process was super laid back and we had a lot of fun doing it.

What did you find most challenging and rewarding during the recording process?

We went into this process with the intention of getting weird with it; essentially throwing ideas at the wall and seeing what stuck. While it was incredibly rewarding being able let our creativity shine through in the studio and trying every dumb idea we had, I’ll admit it could also be a hinderance when we needed to finish something or make a decision on how a certain part was supposed to go.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

I know Mac and Sam have been really into Frank Zappa for a while. Avery’s still bumping Meatloaf in his Honda Civic and recently I’ve been into this LA band called Momma – they put out an album last year called “Two of Us” that combines soft bedroom pop vocals with a 90s alt rock that I think is sick.

What do you like to do away from music?

Lately I’ve been reading a lot of poetry. I recently finished a book called Black Abacus by a Canadian-Nigerian poet named Ian Ketteku. He bends the English language to his will in a way I’ve never seen or felt before, covering topics like race, time, love, religion, and identity  through an often painfully candid lens. It’s given me a fresh perspective on music, creatively speaking. 

What’s planned for the remainder of 2021 going into 2022?

The album drop (it’s gonna be wild), more outdoor shows, more songwriting, and hopefully a tour somewhere down the line.

Favourite food and place to hangout?

Lucy’s Eastside Diner on Main Street in Vancouver! That place has seen me at my best and absolute worst.

Twitter: @BlackPontiac_

Facebook: /BlackPontiacMusic

Instagram: @blackpontiacmusic

TikTok: @blackpontiacmusic

Website: https://www.blackpontiac.com

Where are you currently based?

Currently based in Wollongong. I moved down here a year ago from Sydney.

How did you first start playing music?

My mum had me on the piano as a young child which was a little on the enforced side. I eventually picked up the guitar and started writing songs in my early teens as a bit of a coping mechanism.

What’s been happening recently?

I’ve completed the studio recordings for an upcoming EP of which the two singles I’ve released this year, including ‘Travel Companion’, will feature on. I’m aiming to bring that out sometime later this year.
Aside from that, I’ve invested a bit of time and money in my own home recording studio set up. I’d like to hone in on those skills a little more for future work and recordings. 

You’re described as a folk music artist, is this accurate? Why or why not?

My roots are in folk/singer songwriter, however I enjoy the ebb and flow. I very much enjoy having the freedom to move around in genre and style. The sound is very dependent on the dynamic, whether I play solo, with my band or a percussionist or a violinist which is usually determined by the venue or availability of the musicians I like to play with. When I play with my drummer and bassist for example, the sound is much rockier/groovier.

I like to describe myself as Alt Folk for that purpose. 

Your new single ‘Travel Companion’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?How did you go about writing ‘Travel Companion’?

I was at a stage in my songwriting where I was writing for the band. I wanted to strip it back down to a singer songwriter level again and the song itself was influenced by that reason. I don’t usually write with an idea or theme in mind, I generally have the vocal accompaniment roughly arranged and then spend a couple of hours singing lyrical nonsenses until an idea has brewed. I had recently been on a solo road trip and I guess that experience combined with the ones preceding cut the mustard for the topic!
I took the song into the recording studio!

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

I recorded the song with producer Guy Fenech at Rolodex sound which at the time was in Leichhardt, Sydney. The track was mixed by Nick Franklin, also working out of Rolodex Sound.

 How did you approach the recording process?
I had a demo track of ‘Travel Companion’ from a previous recording attempt. Guy and I collaborated on our ideas and a lot of the music, aside from the main vocal and acoustic guitar,  was created in the studio. Ella Carstein played the violin and Guy himself played a little percussion.   

What inspired the music video?

Maisie Cohen directed, filmed and edited the video. It was her idea to take the video out onto the road to capture the wonderful rural architecture of the iconic colonial buildings as well as capturing the arid landscapes of outback NSW, which aids in portraying the notion of isolation associated with the song and travelling on the road in Australia in general. 

The music is a waltz once the violin part kicks in, so it was important to me that we captured a little bit of dancing!

Where did you film and who did you work with to create the music video?

The video was filmed in various locations in NSW. We travelled from Wollongong to Mungo National Park, stopping at various towns and locations along the way. The road trip was undertaken in a week with the help of videographer Drew Norley and friend Ariki Hita. Collectively we all contributed our ideas for the video.
We also filmed part of the video at ‘The Servo’ in Port Kembla where we recruited dancer Kiera McGillion as well as my younger sister and her partner. My 4 year old niece also features in the video.

What did you enjoy the most about creating the video?

The road trip was so much fun! I was very impressed and humbled by our ability to maintain the balance of professional and personal relationships with each other.

Please tell us a little about where you live and do your surroundings influence your music?

I live in a lovely little suburb in Wollongong, sandwiched between the escarpment and the beach and I absolutely love it. I’m finding it more challenging to write at the moment because I’m feeling happy and healthy as a result of being here in combination with personal life matters though, so creatively it might not be a good thing! It’s the sad songs that sell right? 

What do you like to do away from music?

I must get out into the bush for walks and plant ID regularly. I’m learning how to surf and to speak Serbian and German. I’m also studying environmental and plant related things stuff with TAFE/uni.

This is majority covid era compensation though – once the pubs and live music venues reopen, I’ll be at the bar having a sing, dance and a healthy yarn! 

Who are you listening to at the moment?

Big Thief released some new music. I’m a huge fan.

What’s planned for the remainder of 2021 going into 2022?

I’m taking it easy for the remainder of the year. I’m going to continue as is and re-evaluate when time becomes a little less uncertain. 

Favourite food and place to hangout?

Sweet potato fries and donuts are the best. I don’t mind where I hang out, it’s the company that makes it special.

PRAISE FOR RITA B

“An acoustic track that will appeal to listeners of Stella Donnelly and Julia Jacklin, ‘Travel Companion’ offers touching lyrics that paint a fragile picture of escapism, isolation, and loneliness.”

Scenestr

Travel Companion “…the video may be a pretty literal interpretation of the track and its thematic elements”

The Music

“At first, I thought the folk band was there to soften the Stella Donnelly-like frankness of Rita B’s badass lyrics but now I realise they are as much the bark as they are the bite. Killer!”

Nkechi Anele, former Roots ‘n All  presenter, Triple j

“relatable, funny and just downright entertaining” 

Divide and Conquer

Website | facebook |Instagram| Youtube | Triple j Unearthed

 Where are you currently based?

I recently lived in Nanjing, China. My studio is also here.

How did you first start DJing?

When I was 16 years old, I heard DISCO and Techno music on the radio. I was fascinated by electro at that time, and I also liked this career very much. By chance, I met a DJ from Shanghai in the club when I was 17 years old.

You recently did a Livestream for DJ mag https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s094lskRTgM 

how did this come about?

I am honored to receive the invitation of DJMAG to participate in this live broadcast. I recorded this program on a beautiful hill in Xi ‘an city. This set mainly focuses on House and Tech House, and also includes many of my works and mashups.

How did you prepare for the DJ Mag stream?

We have done a lot of preparatory work, including music, MV, publicity and so on, all around the positioning of reflecting my Chinese elements to plan everything.

What or who influences your music?

There are many factors that may influence my music, because I have been a DJ since 1997, and the experience and taste accumulated over the years are the source of my creation.

What programs/equipment do you like to work with?

I use FL STUDIO software, and the hardware is getting simpler now, mainly RME sound cards and Genelec speakers.

Please tell us about your recent release on Smash the House

I released two songs on Smash the House, both Tech, House style.

Although I do many different styles of music, I still have a special liking for house music. I will be releasing more House games on Smash the House in the future.

You have new music coming out soon on Ge, what can we expect?

In September, I will release my new work “DISRUPTION” on my own label ECHO STAGE RECORDS, which is a combination of thick Chinese style and Glich Hop. I also shot the Music Video of this Music in Xi ‘an, which a city ancient capital with traditional Chinese characteristics. 

The new single “About You”, which I collaborated with Lost Capital, is our first transnational collaboration. It has a returning House rhythm and a futuristic Vocal. I believe fans will definitely like it.

I collaborated with Fatman Scoop on a new single.I can not spoil much about this new ID, but I can tell you that it is a music with strong Chinese style, it will be released in October. I am confident that this single has a chance to become popular on dance hit lists.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

Recently, I like to listen to ALOK. His music is very comfortable and can also bring me some inspiration.

What do you like to do away from music?

I like to travel and play table tennis in my spare time.

11.What’s planned for the remainder of 2021 going into 2022?

My biggest goal this year is to hit the DJMAG TOP100 DJs list. No matter what the result is, I’m still going to focus on my music career.In 2022, I will shoot more MV’s, so that the world will be more impressed with China’s achievements and the development of Chinese electronic music.

12.Favourite food and place to hangout?

My favorite food is Sichuan food. I also like to visit Chengdu. Everything in Chengdu is like heaven.

https://www.instagram.com/alexso_official/