Where are you currently based?
Hello! I’m in Melbourne, I’ve lived here for 7 years and am originally from the Northern Rivers of NSW.
How did you first get into music?
I first got into music pretty young. An early memory was going with mum to choir when I was 5. I still recall most of the songs, some were African, in different languages and were really rhythmic. It was pretty magical to hear all the different melodies and rhythms of the voices coming together as one.
What influenced the sound and songwriting for your new single ‘Sweet Mellow D’?
With this song, I’m not exactly sure as it was pretty intuitive. I resonate with alternative folk artists like the storytelling of Adrienne Lenker and Angel Olsen, the abstract and quirky characteristics of Aldous Harding, the melody and lyrical style of Hand Habits, the finger picking of Jose Gonzalez, and endless inspiration from local queens Maple Glider, Nai Palm, Angie McMahon and Harmony Byrne.
When and where did you record it?
I recorded SMD in June during Lockdown, with legend friend Nick Herrera in his studio known as The Grove, in Coburg.
How do you usually go about writing music?
There’s no rules and honestly my ‘process’ is pretty random. I usually pop my phone on record, and then forget about it and just go stream of consciousness for ages. Then I listen back and deconstruct little gems that I can collage together and workshop. The improvising helps me say what I actually feel.
What instruments do you use?
I play guitar and I’m hoping to get a piano soon, which has been on the dream list for a while. I play my lovely old nylon, which I picked up second hand in Tasmania, or I play my ‘85 Japanese Strat which I found in a flea market, that was a good day!
I’m left handed and originally learned left, but 4 years ago started playing right handed. Not only can I now jam at parties, but also all the chord shapes I play are upside down and I like the different fingerpicking patterns, and new chord shapes I find. All the songs on my record are written this way.
How do you approach recording/production?
I first found freedom in demo’s. I see them as a carefree and messy thang where there is no room for perfectionism, which can hinder me. As I don’t have a laptop at the moment (sad story) I keep things simple with an ipad and Garage band. It is the perfect way to get a vibing demo as a reference for proper studio time. I quite like the inbuilt mic, and I feel rebellious by not having a monster set up.
Then in the studio is where the music is expanded upon and that is so satisfying. Nick really dug the lo-fi sound of the iPad demo’s and it ended up becoming a stylistic feature in the music – hi-fi lo-fi if you know what I mean.
Please tell us about your new video, how was it filmed and where?
The video was a rapid fire creation, that timed itself well with the lockdowns. I teamed up with my friend Joli.vision, and we managed to get it filmed the day before stage 4 came in. He suggested the time-lapse idea with ‘masking’ elements, I don’t have much language or experience in video, so Joli is the man behind all the tech.
The vision was to set up my lounge room pretty much exactly how it exists in my room somewhere in coastal nature. We found an incredible spot looking over the water to the mountains of Wilsons Prom in the background, which is a prehistoric nature reserve to the south east of Melbourne.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Today I was listening to Godtet from Sydney, and their live performance at the Opera House. I found Duval Timothy whose mostly instrumental sample-based piano music had me in the feels. Also Maple Gliders debut track ‘As Tradition’ has had many plays this week.
What do you like to do away from music?
I make stained glass earrings and during Covid I started Studying Glass and glazing which is cool. I build stuff from wood, I work as a carpenter’s labourer and want to upskill so I can build a shack in the bush one day. I take my dog on adventures and I’m getting into spearfishing after Covid. I’ve been reading a fair bit- I’m super interested in how trauma affects the body, and also the ability for the brain to unlearn and relearn. Also learning about this country in terms of colonisation, the untold history, current issues and my place in it all.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Most common shnack at the moment is A1 Lebanese Bakery for the stretched zaatar –
Favorite spot is Eddie Gardens beers in the sun, or Warrandyte River for summer swimming.
What’s next for you that you’re really excited about?
In terms of music, I have this unreleased album that I’m so excited to share. It’s quite a thing of beauty and experimentation, so I’m looking forward to setting it free. I hope to tour to the UK/Europe but that’s all pretty unknown at the moment, so patience is key.
I’m really excited to go free diving and GTF out of the city.
