What is your name?
Hopium!
Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like there?
I’m in London at the moment. The music here is so varied, there’s obviously a lot of grime but tons of great electronic, indie etc. So many of my favourite artists have been English so it’s an exciting place to be.
Your new single Leave is out now, where and when did you record?
I started Leave in London, and finished it in Berlin and a farmhouse in Normandy.
What programs and instruments did you use?
We used Logic, vocoders and analog synths like the Juno-106.
What influenced the songwriting for Leave?
I had been through a pretty bad breakup and was tapping into the other perspective. I was trying to create a character of the ultimate narcissist. Someone who will unapologetically do you wrong.
The video for Leave was filmed in Berlin, what inspired the video and how was the film making experience?
I wanted to make a lyric video and had played a lot with projections in the past. We actually went to each location with a projector and generator and projected each line over a few very late nights in Berlin.
Who did you work with on the Leave video?
I worked on it with my Berlin-based friend and mixed media artist Corey Schneider.
How did you first start playing music and what do you attribute to your success up until this point?
I started playing piano when I was 6 years old. If I’ve had any success it’s due to the talented people I surround myself, plus a very persistent attitude!
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I’ve been listening to UK artists like Col3trane, Rex Orange County and Jorja Smith. I also love Kendrick, SZA, Kanye (controversially atm!) and Kali Uchis’ new album.
You have been on a bit of a break; it’s good to see you back! What do you have planned for 2018?
It’s great to be back! This year I want to put out as much music as I can, including an EP later in the year. I also want to get out and start playing shows.
You are an Aussie artist from Adelaide and now based in London, how has the UK experience / residency on a living and musician level be thus far?
London has pushed me to raise the bar as much as I can in terms of the quality and relevance of my writing. It’s also been a really personal experience to be so far from home and build a new life and circle of friends, so I try and put that into the writing.
You have travelled extensively through China, Amsterdam, London, New York and Los Angeles & lived in Berlin for six months, has the travelling and experiences that you have come across along your path affected your music in any way? If so how?
It’s definitely affected it! I travelled alone for much of it and so I got a lot of time to be really introspective and get to know myself on a deeper level, which I think is reflected in the music.
Top 3 artists of all time?
Beatles, Frank Ocean and Kanye.
When and where are you playing next?
I don’t have any shows booked at the moment! But I really want to put something together ASAP!
Favourite food and place to hang out?
I love Asian food. My favourite place to hang out is definitely the studio.
https://www.facebook.com/highonhopium/
