The Partae
  • Music
    • NEWS
    • Interviews
    • Festivals & Events
  • Fashion / Culture
  • Stay & Play
  • About
  • Contact Us / Advertise
  • Submit Event

Inteerview: JVLY on Revisiting SUNDER, Creative Evolution and the Making of SUNDERLUXE

October 12, 2026

April Stace Explores Loss, Solitude and Renewal on New Album Aphelion

October 12, 2026

Interview: Todd DiCiurcio on Live Art, Music and Creative Collaboration

October 11, 2026

JVLY Revisits the World of SUNDER with New Deluxe Album SUNDERLUXE

October 9, 2026

WITH “THREE MISSED CALLS”, KERRINGTON GILLESPIE RADIATES POP-COUNTRY ENERGY WHILE CAUGHT BETWEEN...

October 9, 2026

I Ya Toyah Reveals Cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer”

October 8, 2026

Interview: Nate Hill on Art, Photography and Finding His Own Visual Language

October 8, 2026

NYE on the Hill Announces Its Final Festival After 23 Editions

October 7, 2026

Clockenflap Announces Thrilling First Wave Lineup, Including HAYLEY WILLIAMS, KESHI, SLOWDIVE, MALCOLM...

October 7, 2026

“Electric Hills”: the documentary uncovering the Italian roots of electronic music

October 7, 2026

Music Interviews

by the partae
Photo: Renee Oliver/Nae Oliver Creative We caught up with her to find out what's been happening in her world, her new single 'Disaster' and how she's faring in Melbourne's lockdown.. You are from Auckland New Zealand where are you based these days?  I have been based in Melbourne for several years now.   You lived in Asia for 5 years, tell us more about that and how it is influenced you:  Yes, I moved to Bangkok, Thailand when I was 12 years old as my dad was working for the United Nations and I stayed there till I was 17. It had a profound impact on me in more ways than I could ever vocalise. Thailand is a Buddhist country and the teachings have stayed with me and shaped the person I am. It has helped me over the years to stay centred, calm, focused on the present and be my most authentic self, even if I am standing alone (which is hugely helpful in this industry). It is also behind my choice to be a pescatarian and to be kind to all living things. In Buddhism the lotus flower symbolises spiritual awakening, purity of the body, speech and mind, as if floating above the murky waters of material attachment and physical desire, so my high school best friend Fleur and I got matching lotus flower tattoos on our hips when we were 17 and leaving Thailand. We did this so the memories and philosophy would stick with us.    While in Bangkok I attended an international school and was introduced to people of all nationalities, cultures and walks of life and that has continued into adulthood. I like to be around a mix of people, or I get bored. It was a privileged existence, living in a gated community with a live-in maid. Suffice to say reality hit hard (understatement) when I moved back to NZ into a share house and had to clean, cook, and pay my own bills. Bangkok is also where I learnt meditation, kickboxing, Shaolin kung fu and Tai Chi. My dad used to shave his head and disappear off to a temple to live as a Monk now and then. He still meditates morning and night. I do still miss many aspects of Thai life, including the food/tropical fruit and Songkran festival, in which everyone basically goes onto the streets and has a huge water fight, symbolising the washing away of one's sins and bad luck. I was also very naughty and started clubbing as young teenager, but we will leave those stories for another time… ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK AND THE WORLD’S YOUR OYSTER… need I say more!   How did you first get into music? In primary school I was chosen to be in a special choir of a select few and my grandparents would fly down to Christchurch to watch me, which was special. Mum was always singing and playing guitar round the house too, there was always music playing in the background and at every family gathering all the Aunties would be up dancing to the likes of Abba or UB40, so I’ve always been listening. I was also a choir soloist at the International school, the other soloist is now one of Thailand's biggest pop stars. After school I studied jazz at university, and I have done it on the side ever since. I have lived a transient life in many respects (living in many different places since I was young, going to 6 different schools, 3 tertiary institutions, working many jobs), which has often lead to feelings of loneliness and being misunderstood (that few know and understand me on a deeper level or know my past), but music has been a constant in my life since I was young. No matter where I go it is always there for me. I feel that I have life experience well beyond my years.    Melbourne has pretty much been in lockdown since mid-March, how have you been faring? You know sometimes I’m good at accepting it for what it is and channel my energy into my music and being productive but I have times where I feel trapped and isolated missing my family back in NZ. I typically head back to NZ 4 times a year to see friends, family and be there for milestones, so clearly that has not been the case this year. My siblings are a lot younger than me (my youngest sister is 15 years younger than me and was 2 years old when I moved out of home), so I try to go back regularly so I feel connected to them and know them as people. I have also used this time to declutter and sell things I no longer want or need.It is a bit difficult watching family and friends’ lives returning to normality back in NZ, whilst we are back in lockdown with no no end in sight.    You worked corporate for a number of years, why the move to music?  Music has always been my #1 love, but I got into sales and broking to make a living but always felt I was in the wrong place, that it was no more than a pay cheque. Writing, creating, and releasing music can be a very personal and emotional yet rewarding experience and a great outlet. I believe I have both creative and business sides, which allows me to push forward when things do not go my way and see things from a business perspective not an emotional one. Most of all I love the process and know that this is what I am born to do.   What do you like to do outside of music? I love the beach... it's a Kiwi thing I think. If a week goes by where I have not seen the ocean I do not feel right. I like to go to the gym or do some form of exercise first thing in the morning (after a coffee of course). Exercise helps to put things in perspective and overcome obstacles and just makes me a happier person. I used to be a fitness fanatic, but these days I'm less particular about diet and exercise. Other than that, I like reading (self-help books and biographies) and baking (although only occasionally as I do not trust myself around sweets). Other than that, I like spending time with my cat and partner, going out for a meal or drinks with friends. Oh, and Netflix (limited to an hour each night – haha). My parents have a property on Great Barrier island off the coast of NZ (mum is the island doctor on weekends), which has the most beautiful beaches, so I try and get out there at least once a year. I always come away feeling more in tune with my spirituality and connected to the earth. Putting photographs in albums is also something I enjoy. I have always got a kick out of looking back through albums. Oh, and travelling… when that was a thing!   What are your plans for the remainder of 2020 and future goals? Happiness is always the goal (In saying that heart break is what produces the best songs so there is a silver lining). Career wise I would of course love to win an Aria or a Grammy (go hard or go home). There are tonnes of amazing artists and producers I would love to work with including Joel Little, Skrillex, and Diplo (to name a few). A collab with Gwen Stefani, Rihanna or Charli XCX would be the ultimate for me though I think. This year I am dropping 3 singles and an EP. I had plans to do shows but for obvious reasons that is not happening, but I will be doing some live performances from home.   You have some new music on the way, what can we expect? You can expect some edgy, sultry pop with powerful vocals on a bed of synths. As well as a tongue in cheek dance single thrust in there.   Who are some of your Influences: I love world music, Ragga Music, Ravi Shankar (I love plucking instruments, they always sound ethereal and are used a lot in Thailand), African music (Johnny Clegg), Kate Bush, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Rihanna, Bjork, Imogen Heap, Flume, Hermitude and Charli XCX.    What are you listening to now? I listen to such a range. A lot of Jazz (often without a vocal haha). I have been loving Charli XCX’s new Iso album ‘How I’m feeling now’ as she combines a lot of interesting sounds, Kita Alexander, Major Lazer, Hermitude and Ava Max. You can check out my ‘JoannaBop’ Spotify Playlist to hear what I am currently listening too…    What did you find most challenging and rewarding throughout the creative process?  I am very much an innate writer so it usually just comes out without too much thought, however I often sing a melody and then come up with words to it or alter the words in order to create a story that makes sense and or give it meaning/depth. The challenge for most creatives is to silence the inner critic and just be present and not pay too much attention to whether or not the song will be successful or not as that kills the creative process and energy flow.  Your new single ‘Disaster’ is available worldwide today, what influenced the song and how did it come about? Disaster started off as a remix of one of my unreleased tracks, but I liked it so much that I gave it a new melody and wrote new lyrics. Disaster is part 1 of a 2-part narrative. This song is very much ‘fifty Shades of Grey’ sonically, however the narrative conveys the range of emotions that are felt when a person decides to end a relationship with their significant other. The loss of connection and loneliness that is felt when you realise you are no longer happy and you want different things to your other half, that there is no way forward. Then feeling responsible for tearing something that meant so much apart. Disaster is an anthem for the most difficult time for couples.   If your house were on fire, what would you grab on the way out: I would grab my cat, photo albums, laptop, and hard drive (because all my music creations are on it). I (like most) enjoy the finer things in life but do not value or get attached to them. These are my only prized possessions.   Favourite food and place to hang out?  My favourite cuisines are definitely Thai …go figure haha (’Blossom Thai’ in South Yarra is the most authentic Thai I’ve found in Melbourne) and Mexican (‘Hecho en Mexico’ in Fitzroy do the best fish tacos, but I do make a mean home-made Guac). On a (rare) sunny Melbourne day you’ll find me walking bayside and popping in to Elwood Bathers for a coffee. Spotify: https://spoti.fi/316tMsz Music channels: https://ffm.to/disasterjoannajones Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joannajonesmusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannajonesmusic/

Joanna Jones

Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like there?   I was born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario but I’m currently based in the Toronto area. There's a wide range of music that comes through this area. It's not necessarily the hub for country music but country is definitely building a name in the Toronto music scene. Being surrounded by so many genres of music has definitely influenced my current sound!     How did you first start playing music?   I've been singing and writing songs since I was very young and I always knew I wanted to be a performing artist. The way I started on the stage was through singing contests and open mics. I didn't have access to singing on stage in any other way, so this became a good way for me to learn and develop. From that, it turned into showcases and then bookings. My stage experience has come a long way – there's nothing else like it! I love being an entertainer!     What's been happening recently?   Well, I released my new summer song "Free" and it's been getting an amazing response so far! Apple Music has really gotten behind it and it's been so cool to see how much people are really into it. I wanted this song to be something that would pump people up and remind them of those moments when they've felt most free.   Also, I haven't released a song to Canadian radio in a while and I'm proud to say that this song has gone to radio... so that's really exciting for me! I also just finished in the studio to record more songs and will have an official music video for "Free" later this month. Oh, and did I mention that I have a Youtube video series? It's been an interesting experience so far. I've been filming and editing like crazy but I love being able to stay connected with my fans in a more personal way.    Your new single 'Free' is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?   I wanted to create a summer anthem and knew that the tempo and energy would be really important to capture that. I love that country music is all about telling the story and giving the listener a real experience through song. Country has definitely influenced my way of storytelling and how I emote it through my voice. As I've grown in this industry and grown in my experiences, I also really like bringing in other inspirations like catchy pop melodies and structures to bring a unique sound to my songwriting. This song was inspired by some of the electronic pop styles of music happening right now and I thought it would be fun to experiment and bring it into my brand of country music.    How did you go about writing Free?   It started with a title and the hook. I knew that I wanted to write an upbeat, feel good song and started playing around with melody and hook ideas. The words "We were young and wild and free" was definitely the first inspiration that started the direction of the song. I recorded a voice note in my phone with me tapping my leg for a feel of the tempo and then sent it to my co-writer Shawn Moore. We got together to work on this idea and it came pretty easily for us. I wanted to share some of my own personal memories growing up in my hometown and give the listener some painted pictures through the lyrics. I love that it captures a fun summertime feel, while being nostalgic.    Where and when did you record and who with?   This was recorded in Vancouver, BC with Dan Swinimer from Manicdown Productions. Dan had been prepping this song a couple of months before we got together in his studio to record my vocals in January. He's a great person and a tremendous talent. He really drove the production home!   You're working with multiple producers at the moment (Dan Swinimer, Paul Shatto & David Wills) how did this come about and how are you keeping the production cohesive whilst working with 3 different producers?   I had the fortune of being introduced to Paul Shatto & David Wills through my publicist Jasper Anson. I met them for the first time during a tour when I was performing at Sunfest on Vancouver Island. Paul & David are a great duo that I connected with right away and knew we'd work well together. We're like-minded people and I really like how invested they are in getting to know the unique attributes of an artist. They're able to take that information and personify the productions in a very honest way.   I met Dan Swinimer on the same trip to BC after a last minute opportunity to write together. I've obviously heard Dan's work before and was super impressed by his talent. I really enjoyed getting to write with him as well! Dan comes from the background of being on stage in a band as well as developing artists, and I knew that he'd be able to bring all of those years of experience to my music. Not only that but It makes a big difference for me when I get to know someone through songwriting, so that I can see if we have the right creative chemistry and if the vision is there to make a song the best it can be. It's been an honor and a lot of fun to work with Dan so far... I mean, listen to my song "Free" - he blew that one out of the water!   Both production teams are slightly different in their approaches, but very much the same in that they want the best for the artist. I love that! I've never had multi-producers on a project before, but I really like the freedom of being able to show slightly different sides to me. These producers are going to do that in an amazing way and because I'm at the center of it all – my songs, my vision and my style are what's going to make it all connect.    Please tell us about the challenges that you've come across whilst recording virtually:   Fortunately I haven't had to do too much of that. I've been listening to the tracks in my headphones and recording vocals in my voice notes. Surprisingly, that's worked well enough for everyone to start building worktapes and get the song directions figured out.   Other than that, the difficulty has come from not being able to connect in person. In person is always better for creating. You vibe off of each other's thoughts and energy! The good thing is that I had my song "Free" ready for release a few months early, so it's given enough time for everything to open back up, so that we can finish our project together.   Please tell us about your experience with releasing music during this unique COVID19 period:   It's been a lot different than what I've been used to and forced me to change my mould of how I do things. My team and I had to put our heads together to come up with ways that we could make this happen in a changing world. It happened in the middle of my own momentum and once that happened, I had no idea what to do next and how to make it happen. By working on these new ways of doing things it's definitely shined a light on new ways I can connect even more with my fans. It's been amazing to see how connected I've become with them and how excited they are about my musical journey.    You have a YouTube vlog series, how did this come about and what is the vlog about?   It happened through these discussions about releasing music during covid-19. Since I couldn't be out on the road connecting with fans and the industry, we thought what better way to do that than create a video series? I've never done something like this before so each week is a new experience. My song "Free" is the centerpiece to the series, with all of the topics being related to the themes of the song, either through self-help inspired videos or behind the scenes vlogs. The behind the scenes look at my life is as an artist and the different developments of “Free” during my life right now.    Who are you listening to at the moment?   That definitely changes week to week, but I've been really into Danielle Bradberry's music. I'm a big fan of a growing artist named Kelleigh Bannen, I also love Tenille Townes’ stuff and been listening lost to Morgan Wallen, Travis Denning, and Thomas Rhett, too.    What do you like to do away from music?   I love the outdoors. Any of my free time is usually spent doing something outdoors. I love being by the lake, by a bonfire. I've been trying to soak in those moments when I can. I also love family time. My family means so much to me. So nothing too exciting – haha - family time and outdoors time. And since this Covid-19 thing, I've been getting into cooking too!   What's planned for the remainder of 2020?   Depending on what life is like for the remainder of this year, I hope to be out performing again, for sure. But either way, I'll be recording the rest of my project, putting out full-on music videos, creating more YouTube episodes, releasing more music and writing more music! Music is my life.    Favourite food and place to hangout?   Favourite food.. can I saw two? A great pizza or pasta. I love my carbs haha. Favourite place to hang out... anywhere outdoors with some sunshine and good company!

Elyse Saunders

Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like there? I currently live in Saskatoon, Canada where I’ve been for about 4 years now. I am still getting to know the music scene in this city. So far, it has been welcoming and I have met some amazing musicians. I spent about 13 years in Regina and really loved the music scene and my music family out there. How did you first start playing music? I always dreamed of performing on a big stage and used to sing in my basement and pretend it was to a big crowd. I don’t know why I did it, I just did. I would also make up songs on my walks to school, which I think is kind of a unique thing to do. Through high school, I was in a pop-rock band called N.O.B. (Name of Band) – haha – and I learned to play guitar through those years and started writing music with that band. I was kicked out because my voice wasn’t “rock” enough and the band found a replacement. Back in those days, that sure hurt my feelings, but it was the right move for them and for me. I took some time off from music and then decided to go at it alone and back to my country roots. I started writing, making connections, and surrounding myself with the best in the industry and never looked back. What's been happening recently? Musically, the focus has been on my new single, “Take It Out On Me”, and getting it out to the public. I’ve also been focusing on writing for my next single. I’ve been writing with other artists as well and have 3 cuts for singles that have been released. This track was written by three top Nashville writers being -  John Ozier (Lee Brice), John King (Randy Houser), and Brad Tursi (Old Dominion), you worked with Bart Mckay who is very highly regarded in Canada, how was this experience and how did you come to be chose to record 'Take It Out On Me'? With regard to the song choice; my manager, Leslie Mitchell (Nashville, TN) sent a call out to her contacts looking for outside songs for me to record, which was a new experience for me since I had written all of my own singles prior to this. After about 4 years of back and forth with the publishing companies, they finally signed off on it. John Ozier and I have known one another for a few years and I was thankful he sent the song our way. I immediately fell in love with the lyric and melody. To me, it fit with all of the other songs I wrote in the past. I connected with this song right away. How and where did you go about recording 'Take It Out On Me'? I recorded my first 3-song EP with Bart McKay, back in 2005 and then a full-length album with him in 2009. He is a great guy, producer and friend. I love going to his studio and spending time bringing the songs to life. It’s one of my absolute favourite things to do. Bart is great at getting a performance from an artist, guiding them through a song and coming up with ideas. What did you find most challenging and rewarding throughout the process? I’d actually given up on ever recording “Take It Out On Me”. One of the publishing companies did not sign off on me recording it, initially. That was heartbreaking. When I decided I wanted to release a new single, I got Leslie to check on it again and sure enough, they said yes! That was the most challenging part about it. The reward comes from being able to finally record this song after chasing it for 4 years, and seeing the positive response to it so far. You've had recent nominations for Male Vocalist of the year and Fans' Choice Entertainer of the Year at the Saskatchewan Country Music Association Awards, what does this mean to you? It always is nice to be recognized by your peers at the awards. I feel grateful and humbled to even be nominated at all. What do you like to do away from music? I spend a lot of time with my fiancée, Erin and our two dogs (and the cat when he feels like it). We spend a lot of time in our backyard, working on the garden. We take our dogs out as much as we can and go for hikes with them. We also spend a lot of time trying new recipes. It’s pretty simple everyday stuff but I love it. Who are you listening to at the moment? Currently, in this moment, Tenille Townes’ “Come as You Are”. What's planned for the remainder of 2020? This year’s focus has shifted from performing shows and doing a radio tour to performing online shows and planning for a tour in 2021. Favourite food and place to hangout? I am a big homebody and I love Erin’s cooking, especially this chicken and rice dish she makes, so truthfully, home and that dish are my favourites. If I had to pick a place in town, I would say Bon Tempes in Saskatoon makes some dang good spicy Cajun dishes that I love. Chicken and biscuits is my favourite on the menu there. Great atmosphere! Facebook: @AlexRunionsMusic   |   Twitter: @AlexRunions   |   Instagram: @AlexRunions   |   YouTube: @AlexRunions   |   Spotify: smarturl.it/AlexRunionsSpotify

Alex Runions

Nuno

Where are you currently based? I am currently based in the South East Suburbs of Melbourne, so unfortunately that means I am in lockdown at the moment haha How did you first start playing music? I started playing guitar when I was about 8 years old, I hated it at first, was kind of a chore for me, but when I started listening to artists like Jimi Hendrix and John Frusciante and how they played the guitar, I kind of just wanted to be like them and found a love for it. I’ve worked really hard on being able to play all the instruments I play to a good standard , but I think Songwriting, Structure and Melody are the components I probably work on the most when it comes to music. I find them to be the most important, and a lot of that learning comes from just listening to as many different styles of music as possible. What's been happening recently? I am in the process of finishing off my debut EP. The Songs have been done for a while but I just have to finish off some recording. Melbourne has just gone back to Stage 3 Lockdown which has delayed the last couple of sessions, but would much rather everyone be safe than sick. Gives me some extra time to make sure things are perfect. Your new single 'Feels' will be out August 14, what influenced the sound and songwriting? I was listening to a D’Angelo record when I wrote the opening riff, so I often think that inspired the sound of the intro section, however when I hear the song, I hear a lot of Jamiroquai and some of my more funk/soul influences coming through. Lyrically I was inspired by the situation I was in at the time where I was scared to be vulnerable with someone and fall in love. I think it’s something a lot of people can relate to. There is a lot of inner turmoil that goes on with those feelings and I tried to convey that while also touching on the beauty that also comes with love. How did you go about writing Feels? Like a lot of the songs I write, I often take bits and pieces from other songs I have written and trial them with new ideas. For example, ‘Feels’ started off as an intro riff and a Chorus idea and nothing much else. So I grabbed the verse of a song I’d be working on that wasn’t really going anywhere and made it fit to the overall vibe of ‘Feels’, it ended up working super well so I left it. The only other thing I added was the Pre-Chorus, which had been a stand-alone melodic idea sitting in my phone voice memos for months. From here I just had to work on the structure and production, which flowed really well once I had all the sections written. Where and when did you record/produce and who with? I recorded all the songs for the upcoming EP including ‘Feels’ at Debasement Studios in Ferntree Gully. One of my Uni Teachers owns it so I just book it out for the day and get everything done. It’s a really sweet set up and just a great place to record! I do all the recording and production by myself, which sounds super stressful, but really I prefer it that way. I have worked with recording engineers in the past and learnt a lot of great things, but eventually I felt in order to get the sound I wanted, I had to do it myself. It does often mean very lonely days in the studio starting at 8am and leaving at like 11pm at night, but once it all works out, and thankfully it always does, it’s so worth it. You also have an EP titled 'Feels' coming out in November 2020, what can we expect? ‘Feels’ the EP is something I am really excited to share with the world. It is a collection of stories of my experiences with love, attraction, sexuality and the inner conflicts that come with feelings of that nature. There’s a bit of a pink Floyd thing going on in that it plays as a whole piece of art, rather than a collection of songs that don’t really relate to each other. There is a good mixture of Funk, Rock and Soul in their too, depending on what the song is trying to convey. Overall I am really proud of how it sounds and just can’t wait for people to hear it. What did you find most challenging and rewarding during the creation of the EP? I think there are always challenges when you are creating something for release. There is a lot of pressure you tend to put on yourself, trying to make things perfect. Engineering the whole thing by myself definitely took it’s toll a few times, especially when I was by myself in the studio after days in a row tracking. But at the end of the day I think once it’s out there, that’s reward in itself. I know I’m proud of it and that is enough for me. What do you like to do away from music? I am big into my sport and fitness, so I usually try and fit a run or a gym session into my daily routine as it allows me to remove myself from music for a while. I’m also a big Richmond supporter so I love kicking the footy or watching it at home. Besides that I spend a lot of time watching films or writing poetry. Movies give me a lot of musical inspo, not even from the scores themselves, but general imagery in a scene can spark some really cool ideas for me. Who are you listening to at the moment? I’ve been listening to a lot of stuff from the 70s lately, mainly The Isley Brothers and Prince’s first few albums. But I have also been digging The Goods new abums ‘II’ which is sick! I usually listen to a bit of everything though. What's planned for the remainder of 2020? 2020 has been a very unpredictable year! The EP and it’s release is my main focus at the moment, and I’m trying not to write any new material until it’s all been recorded. But I think once the EP is out I want to get back into the studio as I have a few plans for next year that I want to get underway. I am also hoping we can get back to playing gigs soon as well because I am really missing being on stage. Favourite food and place to hangout? Favourite food – Chicken Parma, nothing compares!! Favourite Place to Hangout – I love going to live music and Melbourne has so many amazing live music venues. So really any chance I get to go to a gig with friends and listen to music, that’s my favourite place to be.

Zachary Leo

Adelaide's JOSH KROEHN makes his mark with the revealing new single, 'NEVER FOUND'

Josh Kroehn

Where are you currently based? I am currently based in Melbourne (having moved from Geelong as of a few months ago). How did you first start playing music? I always enjoyed singing as a child; if anyone has seen the movie 'Three Amigos' my family used to call me 'the singing bush' as a joke. I didn't pick up a guitar until I was about 13 or 14. The reason I started playing guitar is actually kind of embarrassing, at the time I was watching an anime called 'K-On!' (a play on the Japanese term for 'light music') and it's basically a cute show about a group of high school girl's who join their school's light music club and make a band. As a teen I just thought the idea of girls jamming and making music together was the coolest, so I picked up an old guitar my dad had lying around and the rest is history. Since then I have also been learning more piano to help me write songs. What's been happening recently? Pre-COVID I had been playing a bunch of shows with my band (including Queenscliff Music Festival and supporting Cousin Tony's Brand New Firebird), live music opportunities have obviously dried up recently but I have enjoyed participating in the new live stream projects that people have been creating. As an introvert being in isolation has honestly been a great time for me to recharge, write new songs and reassess what I want to do going forward with clarity (although I am missing playing and seeing live music). Your single 'Humans Weep' will be out in August, what influenced the sound and songwriting for this track? Sonically, this is a pretty new direction for me. When I started writing this song in 2018 I had begun to listen to more alternative R&B, which was a stark contrast to the folk/jazz influences on my EP (strange combo, I know). From the beginning, I wanted to convey a sense of monotony in the song due to its themes of apathy towards life and I tried to do this by using fewer chords and focusing on the arrangement to drive the song. This purposeful choice was honestly pretty restraining for me as I normally try to embellish songs with chord/key/rhythm changes, so to keep it interesting was a challenge. However, this lets the lyrics shine through which I believe are the strongest part of the song. The monotony of the verse also allows the chorus to really open up. Even then, the main melody in the chorus is sung in a low key, vulnerable and intimate way, which I wanted to keep fairly dry. Aesthetically, I pictured dusk/dawn landscapes that I wanted to somehow convey through sound. The tension between light and dark. To me the warm yet mellow guitar and electric keys contrasting with the cold sounding violin illustrates this tension. Whether you can hear that imagery or not I can’t say, but I love the result regardless. Additionally, the effects on the second guitar in the background add those spacey-dreamy vibes. The cricket sounds towards the end of the song are the final touch in creating this “dusky aesthetic”. As we all know, cricket sounds are often used to emphasise silence in media (often for comic effect), which I felt further teased at the sarcasm of ‘Humans Weep’ while also implying silence in an intimate way. Overall, the sonic vision for this song is an audible departure from the acoustic nature and intensity on my debut EP. How did you go about writing Humans Weep? 'Humans Weep' is written from the perspective of being overwhelmed to the point of apathy. I wrote this song in what was the aftermath of a pivotal point in my life: I had basically been excommunicated from my immediate family and from this conflict I had begun to reconnect with my mum (who had been diagnosed with cancer in our years apart) as well as my extended family whom I had been estranged from for most - if not all - of my life. I’ve always been an introvert and grew up somewhat isolated, so at the time I truly believed that I could not feel or lose any more than I already had. But the point of the song wasn’t to recount those specific events; they simply put the song into context. I had very little belongings, no money and no home. My sense of normalcy was totally removed from me and I was trying to rebuild my life while simultaneously feeling like everything could fall out from beneath from my feet (since it had).  I was constantly questioning everything, asking myself things like: Why, after all of the pain I've been through, do I feel so numb? Why am I working such long and strange hours to not even have the time to properly live in this new home I've created for myself? The love I received from my family was not unconditional, 'what if I wake up and all my friends are gone'? Where and when did you record and who with? I recorded 'Humans Weep' late last year in the home studio of Isaac Barter (Didirri, BATTS). It was so relaxing and wholesome to record with such a great listener and well-rounded musician. Working with Isaac was the best recording experience I've had to date and I look forward to getting back into the studio with him soon! What programs/instruments did you use? The song started out on vocals and guitar, which I brought to the band to add bass and drums. We then slowly started adding keys, violin, extra guitar effects and backing vocals. The song was recorded on Pro Tools. Who are you listening to at the moment? Recently I've been listening to Cleo Sol, Jorja Smith and Rina Sawayama. Aurora's new single 'Exist For Love' is also super cute, I just ordered the limited edition pink vinyl for it which is in the shape of a clamshell *cries*. Though at the end of the day, I'm always revisiting albums by Bjork, Joanna Newsom and Sufjan Stevens. What do you like to do away from music? I'm usually torn between being an Internet girl/gaming/reading manga and being out in nature. Before I became a musician I used to paint a lot, so I also do that from time to time. Please tell about the Queenscliff Music Festival Emerging Artist Grant that allowed you to record Humans Weep, how did it all come about for you? I'd known about the grant for a little while but I had never applied for one, so when the opportunity came up as I was planning to record a single I decided to go for it (very last minute). I basically smashed out my application in a weekend, getting quotes from all sorts of people, and they ended up telling me the budget I put together was one of the best they'd seen. When I first got that call I held my breath until I'd been told that I got the grant, then played it cool until I got off the phone. I was absolutely over the moon and still am to this day. Your new album 'Anticlimatic Girl' will be out in 2021, what can we expect? I've written and decided on 6 tracks to be recorded as an EP. Expect what you probably wouldn't expect from me, likely experimenting with electronic beats, sarcasm with softness and more genre-bending madness. What's planned for the remainder 2020? Once I've released the single (and we can go out again), my main priority is to finish the long-delayed music video for 'Humans Weep'. So keep an eye out for that. Favourite food and place to hangout? Wow that is a hard question, but I am definitely a sweet tooth. Does bubble tea count? When Stage 3 restrictions were lifted I mostly met up with my friends at different botanical gardens (I love to picnic), so I think that's my answer! https://www.momokorose.com/ https://ditto.fm/humans-weep https://www.instagram.com/momokorose/ https://www.facebook.com/MomokoRoseMusicArt/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DIM3wi3ZQgczUY6aUClpQ

Momoko Rose

Where are you currently based and where are you from? We are both from and based in Southwest Sydney, Campbelltown 2560. How did you’s first start playing music and rapping? Growing up our oldest brother Rodz was always playing rap and hip hop, He was always in tune with the scene back then and even had all the latest hard copy CD’s and albums so of course being the little brothers we looked up to him and wanted to be like him in every way. In doing this we both found our passion in rap and rapping. Our older brother even helped us write rhymes when we were little and bought us our very first microphone to record tracks. How does your background and where you are from play a role in your music? We are both full Samoan so being samoan we were raised with a strong musical background from singing hymns in church to playing the guitar and singing and rapping at drink ups. Being from Campbelltown we were also influenced from our area and surroundings, Campbelltown being a part of Sydney that is well away from the city with half of our area being housing commission and all of it being very multicultural. Growing up in these types of areas there is a big hip hop and rap culture and influence and being from there is a big part of our artist identity. What's been happening recently? Just the usual working at our jobs and also working on our music, We recently signed with Biordi Music so from there it’s just been full blast with our music. We’ve been trying to perfect our art as much as we can and record as much quality tracks as we can so the studio has been like our 2nd workplace. Also a lot of strategising and organising with our team at Biordi music, a lot of things to look forward to from all of us. Your new single 'The Top' is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting for this track? As soon as we heard the beat we just vibed out and put our own twist on it. It’s different to what we normally do so we just wanted to still keep our style and flows on it and in the end it all worked out and it’s a banger. How did you go about writing The Top? We actually wrote this track in the studio our manager Lowkee came in with a beat and said there’s this beat that we have to jump on and as soon as it played we were both feeling it. So we wrote the track then and there and recorded it in the same session. Where and when did you record/produce and who with? We recorded it at red stage studio with DJ Sefru and it was Mixed by Mixtri and mastered by Chunkyluv, So a big shoutout to all these guys. Also the producer for this track is relyt who is from the UK. What did you find most challenging and rewarding through out the creation of The Top? The most challenging thing would probably be not knowing how the Australian audience will take it, as there’s not much tracks like this in our scene. The most rewarding thing was probably just putting the track out there. Before this we had a bit of a break from making music so putting this track out as our first one back was really rewarding for us. What do you like to do away from music? (Pistol) VIP lounge and sinking a pint at the local. (Enzo) away from music, spending quality time with my son & my partner is what’s important to me. Who are you listening to at the moment? (Pistol) I listen to a lot of old school like Dre, Big, 50, Lil wayne and also listen to some of the current UK artist like Dutchaveli, Dave, Tion Wayne, Jhus, But mostly I’m listening to instrumentals and beats that I can rap on and also the tracks I’ve made. (Enzo) lately I’ve been listening to a lot of uk/aus rap artists but always crank meek mill & b.i.g those 2 are my go to. What's planned for the remainder of 2020? More banger singles and an EP  Favourite food and place to hangout? (Pistol) my favourite food would have to be a mad seafood platter, Lobster, oysters, kina and all that stuff ay and also any Asian food would have to be my favourite. My go to hangout spot would probably just have to be Any VIP lounge or Dragons Den. IYKYK (Enzo)  favourite food has to be seafood oysters,muscles,prawns,etc . Don’t have a favourite place to hang out as long as the company’s good.

Pistol Pete & Enzo

Where are you currently based and where were you born? Currently based in the St George area of Sydney. Born and raised in south-west Sydney - Campbelltown followed by Camden.  How did you first start playing the guitar/music? At 3 years old, I’d mimic my idols as well as my father who was a passionate hobby guitar player. If you asked my parents, they’d say that the only thing that came natural was my work ethic and passion to play. I’d lock myself in my room with a singles record player and try to copy my favourite riffs and guitar solos for hours on end. Eventually, my father began to nurture my passion by creating practice routines that ultimately put me on the path of being the guitarist I am today.   What's been happening recently? My focus has been divided amongst a few exciting things - completing my album, filming an episode of Australian Story, booking a tour as well as spending time connecting with the world on a new platform - Twitch.  Your new single 'Before You Check Out' is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting for this track? The vocals set the tone for the song. With the lyric being deep and at times confronting, I wanted the production to align a little more with the positive aspects of the message. I did this by keeping the tempo fairly up, and choosing appropriate instrumentation. Fingered acoustic, retro slide guitar, light percussion. On the flip side, I used 70’s influenced slide and trumpet to trigger “happy sad” emotions. Depth was achieved through big velvety keys, sub bass and piano from the bridge onwards. It was really important to me that the track stretched beyond simple folk production.   How did you go about writing Before You Check Out? I wrote BYCO after attending a cousin’s funeral who sadly lost his battle with depression/anxiety. Having recently dealt with my own demons that resembled his, I identified strongly with what he went through and understood why he made such a permanent decision. One morning I woke up rattled with regret that I hadn’t reached out to him earlier and began to query myself on what wisdoms I would have shared. My life transformed for the better when I learnt how our thoughts and beliefs colourise our experience. When we aren’t aware of this, we can be misguided on what the source of suffering truly is. The chorus lines instantly came to mind - Before you check out, before you give in, just know you’re checking out of a place you’ve never been. Ironically, I wrote the rest of the song whilst sitting in front of a sunset that was right in front of me, yet too lost in thought to notice.  And you’ve got a new album due out August 6 too, you sure have been busy!  Where and when did you record/produce and who did you work with? Too busy!!! Ha! I’m looking forward to having my weekends back. The first 5 tracks were produced by myself, co-produced and mixed by Tony Buchen (Montaigne, Mansionair) with half of the recordings engineered at Free Energy Device by Richie B. I decided to take on the rest of the tracks by myself with help from the ears of friends to keep me from falling down unproductive rabbit holes! ;)  How did you approach the recording/production? Many of these songs were written when I wasn’t intending to return to music. The demos were created over time purely from a place of catharsis. For most tracks, the aim was to do better versions of the demo and in some situations, we reverted back to takes used in the roughs! Influences were sub-conscious with flavours and styles forming organically with time. All songs bar one were chosen unanimously by myself and team. Let’s just say that if everyone around you passionately protests against the removal of a song -Listen! Fortunately, I did and with some love, it’s now close to one of my favourites.  What programs/instruments did you use? Pro Tools for recording and mixing. Guitars, bass, real drums, sample drums, brass, keys, piano, vocals. You've also made an amazing video to accompany the single, how did the concept for the video come about? Synchronicity! I wasn’t intending on releasing a film clip with this song. Cornered by my team, the pressure was on to create a clip in 3 days. I had to come up with a simple idea that cost no more than $500 and remembered that I always wanted to do a clip with a projector. With the song being about how projections of the past can colourise our experience, I felt like the idea would make sense both visually and conceptually.  Where and when did you film and who did you work with? I directed and edited myself with help from a DOP friend Andre Moonen who created the film clip for my song “Castles In The Sky”. Projector footage was archival from myself and 2 mates - Sean Boyd who did some work on a mindfulness clip I created some time ago for my vlog and a travel vlogger friend who had footage that took the visuals from being appropriate to also having a narrative. What did you find most challenging and rewarding during the creation of the video? Most challenging - committing to a deadline when I know little about film clips and had zero experience working with a projector!  Most rewarding was when we realised we had a clip that didn’t just aesthetically suit the song, but had an underlying narrative that helped to amplify the message. Who are you listening to at the moment? Broken Bells, Lana Del Ray, Khruangbin, Tame Impala, Father John Misty, Ry Cooder, Ennio Morricone ;) What do you like to do away from music? Go for hikes, take in beautiful views, enjoy all the simple things with my kids, TV series binging, surfing, training  You'll be featured on Australian Story in early August, can you give us a clue as to what we can expect? I can definitely guarantee that I’ll be seeing it for the first time when a million others see it! I believe it showcases my experiences as a child touring the world, battling Leukaemia and later in life how I came to get back in touch with myself and my art after dealing with relatable adversities.   You have a massive Australian tour coming that's kicking off in October followed by Bluesfest in 2021, what do you have in store for these shows? Contrast to how I grew up playing on stage, these shows will see me play songs and tell stories as a hybrid duo (2 guitars, sampler and at times, a trumpet player). As a kid, I just wanted to play music but these days I enjoy telling a story. Whether it’s about how music helped the healing process when I was sick as a kid to not knowing who Jimmy Page was when he asked me to sign a CD for him. I’m also very open about my struggles and feats with the hope of inspiring.  How do you prepare for shows and what do you most enjoy about playing live? That’s something I’m still working on. At the moment, after getting comfortable at sound check, I might have a nap followed by some sort of walking meditation to get my mind and body in sync. If nerves run too hot, I have mental “anchors” to help keep me grounded that are used while I shake out my body.  The moment I open my eyes after losing myself to realise that everyone was right there with me. It’s a connection that I’ve never felt off stage. To have so many different walks of life come together over a song or a story is pretty fucking special. Post-show bliss is pretty amazing too!  Any tips for aspiring musicians? Know why you play and never lose sight of it. For me, one half of the purpose is self-expression and catharsis but equally as important is connection. This means that I not only need to ensure that I’m expressing myself in an authentic way, but the way in which I do this needs to translate! Otherwise, I’ve only satisfied one half of my purpose.  Favourite food and place to hangout? Pizza! Fucking DF/GF so I haven’t had it in years :(  Takeaways on the beach. 

Nathan Cavaleri Interview

Where are you currently based? I am based in Amsterdam & Apeldoorn in The Netherlands. In Amsterdam I love the city life and Apeldoorn is a much more quiet place. It is more like the countryside which is a great place for me to rest and to find inspiration. How has your COVID19 experience been so far? I’m lucky to be healthy and that the people around me are as well. Of course it’s been rough just like for everyone else.Ii get my energy from touring and playing shows, meeting new people and discovering new cultures, and from exploring different countries so to be at home for such a long time was boring. But it also made me realise how much I love my fans and how grateful I am for the life I am living. How did you first start playing music? I started drumming when I was 5 years old and I actually never stopped doing that. I started saving money for a DJ set when I was 12 and discovered FL Studio when I was 13. From that moment on I was hooked to producing music. I remember getting home from school and immediately start making music, even when a class got cancelled I went home to produce haha. What do you attribute to your success? I think it’s my out of the box thinking with producing and constant motivation to be the best at my craft. I try to just be myself and produce what I like to produce. That really helps me to stay motivated and inspired during my creative process. I don’t like to act like I’m somebody else so what you see is what you get. I love performing and producing and I think people like the ‘’realness’ when it comes to artists. Your latest track 'Nobody Knows' is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting? I got the vocal from my label STMPD RCRDS and I was instantly hooked. I was driving home and immediately had the ideas for the production in my head. I started recording the ideas on my phone and when I got home I started working them out! It was a really nice creative journey because I always love to challenge myself. Feldz really delivered some amazing vocals and it's crazy but I never even met her! So we worked via email and the result is amazing! I’m very happy to have worked with her on this record! How did you go about writing Nobody Knows? See my previous answer. Where and when did you record/produce and who did you work with? I was at my home studio because all the studio complexes were closed due to COVID-19. Working at home can be amazing but also very different than going somewhere to work. You really need to motivate yourself to stay in your home studio so I’m lucky to be very hardworking, it keeps me going. What programs & instruments did you use? FL Studio, a lot of synths and a laptop:) Your track with Brooks 'Without You' rode in the Beatport charts for many weeks, how did you come to with with Brooks? We do a lot of sets together, and we had some amazing back 2 back sessions. Fans really loved it so we came up with the idea to build a special intro for Tomorrowland. When we made the intro and tested it live, the crowd’s reaction and the reactions we got online were amazing. I got messages every day saying ‘when does that track with Brooks come out!’ so we thought it would be even better to make it a collab. It took a few months and during ADE we finished it and tested the whole track live for the first time. How did this track come about? See my answer above. What or who influences your music? The answer is pretty simple: life around me. Everything that happens to me or things I see give me inspiration. I think my music is also my way of expressing myself! Who are you listening to at the moment? I love to just put my Spotify on shuffle and let everything come by haha! I’m listening a lot of Kanye West at the moment. He is one of my favorite artists of all time. What do you like to do away from music? Kickboxing, going to the gym, discovering restaurants and keep up with the latest fashion. Please tell us about your YouTube series, how it came about and what you aim to achieve: My main goal was to give my fans more insight into my life as a DJ/producer, but also my personal life. I like that I can use my Instagram to show only the best parts of my life but I felt like my fans needed some more ‘realness’. So that's when I thought making a YouTube series would be the perfect look inside my life. I want my fans to feel connected with me even though they are at home. Especially during these times it’s a good way to still connect with fans and show them that I’m just a normal guy that loves to make music, party and tour! What can we expect from your upcoming releases? I have a pretty big stack of tracks ready to be released. A lot of tracks with my signature ‘’Julian Jordan sound’, and also some crossover tracks, still with the signature but on which I try new things. There’s definitely a lot to be excited about! What's planned for the remainder of 2020? Hoping to be back on tour very soon haha! But I don’t like to just sit and wait so I’m busy with a lot of exciting concepts and projects to keep everyone entertained and keep myself busy! You will get to see a lot of that in the upcoming episodes of my series. Favourite food and place to hangout? For Italian food: Fiko Amsterdam, and for Japanese food: Momo Amsterdam.

Julian Jordan

Henry Green

Henry Green

https://www.facebook.com/MARVELL.OFFICIAL/

Marvell

Where are you currently based? Well, Israel How did you first start playing music and singing? My big brother was very popular amongst his friends because he was beatboxing and drumming. I envied him a lot, So I started imitating animals And beatboxing myself , One thing led to another I found Aretha Franklin and I want to be here ever sense.  for real now music was always there, And, it saved me from depression so many times. In 2018 you won the Eurovision Song Contest, how did you come to be involved with Eurovision and what how have things changed for you since winning? It actually started really different with me. It started when I was performing in Late night jams, I was paid with some beer because I could improvise in a very entertaining way.  When money came short i figured out I can't pay my rent anymore doing small gigs , I went to a reality show in Israel just to make a living.  I ended up winning it, And The grand prize was to go to Eurovision song contest and surprisingly to me,I wan that too.  It seems like since that moment there has been a lot of water under the bridge. Eurovision has opened me to an international world, and it will forever be a part of my heart - like a mythological ex that keeps haunting you. Sometimes I call Eurovision when I’m drunk. Your new single Cuckoo was showcased on Saturday the 16th of May to over 45 countries, what influenced the sound and songwriting for  cuckoo? Cuckoo is like a heartbreaking lullaby for a dying relationship. I was in a moment of doubt, I doubted absolutely everything in my life. While people expected me to be happy - having a relationship and a peaking career, I felt lost and caged in their perception of what they want me to be, and what I really want to become. How did you go about writing Cuckoo? I was on a writing trip In LA and I got a lot of dates with writers and producers  But everything that we achieved was very mediocre.  And one of the mornings I we We're waiting for a songwriter to show up and in Came a girl with a kimono and gave a really loud burp. And I was thinking 'that's it, we found her! her name is Krista Young's and it took us three bad songs in very expensive rooms to figure out we need to go to her apartment with her roommate Burt Elliott to sit on a beer spent 10 minutes writing and then  we had  cuckoo There are two versions of Cuckoo, please tell us how the music box concept came about: The song speaks about a cage and I thought about cages in general I remember me as a little girl asking my mom: "Does the ballerina inside my music box ever get out the box"The loop of the music box Channels really well the  tragedy of being stuck inside a comfortable fancy cage. We spent three whole months building a custom music box which is an instrument from the 16th century for it to be in a loop and play our arrangement . Where and when did you record/produce and  master? After this song came out so beautiful I knew I wanted someone special to produce it.  JR Rotem Was a perfect fit to me for this track and he did such a magnificent work on it. You also have a new EP on the way, what can  we expect? My new EP name is Goody bag . When you get a goody bag, you actually get leftovers from the party, So you can savor the experience a little bit longer. I had an amazing two years, and this is what’s left of them. I decided to gather them up in a bundle and move on. Who are you listening to at the moment? little big koffee , bby motha  Doja Cat. What's planned for 2020? hahaha Favourite food and place to hangout? I miss Thailand so bad right now ,so I have to say coconut pancakes.

Netta

Sophie Castriota

Sophie Castriota Interview

Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like there? I am currently based 50/50 between Nashville and Alberta, Canada. The music scene in both places is great! Obviously in Nashville, it’s very amplified with it being Music City after all, but Alberta has a great scene and some amazing music festivals. How did you first start playing music? I have been singing ever since I was a little girl. My mom likes to tell the story of how I could “hum” before I could talk! My first shows were at Christmas concerts when I was about 5 years old which then led to singing competitions and starting a band when I was in high school. What's been happening recently? I recently released my brand new single “Dream Catcher” to all digital streaming platforms and to Canadian radio! We also just released the music video for it recently. It's been a fabulous journey so far and I recently drove across the United States to return home to Alberta to spend the summer with my family. Your new single 'Dream Catcher' is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting for this track? I am originally from Alberta Canada and growing up there was a big Native American cultural influence. I have always loved making Dream Catchers since I was a little girl and while performing at a festival two years ago, I had the “aha” moment that I needed to write a song about me going out and catching my dreams, thus “Dream Catcher” was born! It’s been such an incredible journey of inspiring those around me to go out and catch theirs as well. Where and when did you record and who with? We recorded “Dream Catcher” in Nashville about a year and a half ago. I was able to co-produce the track with my producer Simon Gugala and it was an incredible experience to hear this song come to life!  How did you go about writing Dream Catcher? When I had the "aha" moment to write “Dream Catcher”, I knew that I needed to co-write it with one of my best friends Andrew Beason. He is so incredibly talented in every aspect of songwriting and I held on to the idea for about three months until we were able to get in the writing room together. I fell in love with what we wrote and about a month later during a morning meditation, the bridge just came to me and the song was complete!  What programs/instruments did you use? We wrote “Dream Catcher” on the guitar and in the studio, we used guitar, drums, piano, bass and the program Logic Pro. Please tell us about the album that you've been working on and what we can expect: I am so excited about my album and cannot wait for everyone to hear the new songs! These are tunes that I've written and co-written over the past 5 years! While recording them, we allowed each song to have its own moment and blossom into exactly what it should be, instead of keeping the overall album in a specific genre box. The songs range from pop and country to beachy and a little rock and roll.  You have a music video out that was shot in the desert, how did the film concept come about? I have been drawn to the Arizona desert for years now and went out to Phoenix for a “Dream Catcher” - inspired photoshoot in the spring of 2019 that turned out amazing.  During my time there, I had some beautiful spiritual realizations and I knew in my heart that I had to go back to film the music video and get inspired by the magic all over again. Where did you film and who did you work with? We filmed the “Dream Catcher” music video in Tucson, Arizona. I had never been to Tucson before, but Angela – my stylist and also one of my best friends – suggested it and after seeing pictures and videos from a trip she took, I knew in my heart that it was perfect! As a crazy coincidence, my videographer Jenny is from Tucson, so we had access to some amazing shoot locations. It was all meant to be!  What did you find most challenging and rewarding during the creation of the music video? Most challenging would be making sure the weather was just right, which is obviously out of our control, so there were a lot of positive vibes going out to Mother Earth. The weather was the most rewarding aspect! The sky was stunning with light clouds. It was an incredible view!  Please tell us about your podcast: Yes! I'm so excited about this! :) I started a podcast based on my song “Dream Catcher” and knew 100% in my heart that my friend Carli Kahl was the perfect person to host it with me. Carli has been on my team for the past three years helping me out on the road as tour manager, assisting in projects, and being an amazing cheerleader on my team! We started working on the idea last summer and wanted to have a platform where we could share other people's stories of them catching their dreams thus the Dream Catcher Podcast started up! It's been such a great project and to receive messages on how we have inspired those around us is incredibly rewarding!  Who are you listening to at the moment? Right at this moment, I am listening to my friend Zack Dyer! Zack and I have played shows, written together, and been on a music journey for the past four and a half years. We've travelled around the US and Canada performing and as of this past year, he recently signed a deal in Nashville as a songwriter! I’m so proud to see his career take off, as he is incredibly talented. Zack and I recorded a cover of Brothers Osborne "Stay a Little Longer" and put it up on YouTube a few years ago, which gained us both a bit of attention. Make sure to check him out!  What do you like to do away from music? I love to be in nature, so hiking, biking and spending time on my longboard are at the top of my list. I am also a lover of yoga, meditation and all things spiritual. When I'm not directly doing music, I am planning out my next adventure!  What's planned for 2020? 2020 is the year for adventure, family and spending some much needed time with myself. I am spending the summer in Alberta in my own trailer that I have decorated myself with a Bohemian theme. One of my sisters just had her first baby and my other sister is expecting her first later this summer. So I’m so happy that I can be here for them on their journeys as moms. I can't wait to sing lullabies and get in all the aunty snuggles. I feel like I've been warming up my vocals in Nashville for the past 8 years for this moment to sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to my niece and nephew. :) Favourite food and place to hangout? Favorite food spot would be The Wild Cow Vegetarian restaurant in Nashville! It's the place that launched my love for vegan food and propelled me on my plant-based journey! If you ever go, make sure to order the vegan nachos!

Mandy McMillan

Danny Serrano is an artist who’s been on the top of his game for some time now. A Madrid man who’s repped the likes of Circus, Saved Records, Truesoul and more, he’s an individual who commands a deep respect in the tech house world. Alongside names like Wally Lopez, he’s also recognised as being one of Spain’s best exponents of a groovy, tech laden sound. Aside from the labels he’s worked with, Serrano also runs his own label — the brilliant Serrano’s Kitchen, which of course, is also the name of his famous studio in Madrid. It’s in Madrid where he crafted his latest work, the exceptional Craft, which just hit shops recently. An interesting time to release an album it may be, but then Danny Serrano has never been one for conventional. We caught up with Danny just as the album dropped to talk about his 2020 so far, the Madrid scene — and much more besides…  How was your lockdown period? And what was it you found most challenging about it all? It is a really strange situation for everyone, I think no one would have ever imagined living something like this in life.  Are you worried about the future of live musicians? Or are you confident things will go back to as they were? Or maybe go more ‘underground’? I think everything will go back to the way it was before, I thought our industry was going to change but I think when a vaccine is found I am sure everything will go back to the way it was before. I hope so anyway!  What do you think this all spells for the scene in Madrid?  The scene in Madrid is quite difficult at the moment, the big clubs are closed for now so it’s hard to say. I guess it’s a global issue as much as a Spanish one, but without government support it’s hard to say what’s going to happen.  Can you tell us a bit about your some of your favourite clubbing memories down through the years?  I have great memories of Space Ibiza, Space of Sound in Madrid and also Ushuaia Ibiza. Space Ibiza was one of the best clubs I have ever played, this place was magical and special for me. I wish I could go back tomorrow!  Do you ever get to go out as a clubber these days? Who was the last DJ to really impress you in that regard? Of course I have not gone out during this quarantine, I have been at home with my family. But there are several DJ’ that I admire… but if I had to pick one, I’d perhaps say Loco Says… his set in Fabrik in Madrid was simply amazing!! You’ve been busy recently putting out your new album. Was there a time when you considered delaying it with everything that’s going on?  The truth is that I have thought about not publishing it ... we are living a strange moment with the music ... but in the end I decided that I wanted to publish this album in my brand Serrano's Kitchen. This album is special to me. Have you had to think of more imaginative ways to earn a living? Or do you have other gigs lined up for other periods in the year? I currently work in my recording studios Serrano’s Kitchen as a mixing studio engineer and master for other major artists and labels. Thanks to that I am surviving this pandemic but I miss not playing in clubs and festivals.  How have your goals and dreams changed since the start of this year? Has staying positive been an issue for you at all? My vision of the music sector and industry has changed for sure. Now I am focused on my Serrano's Kitchen study and academy project.  I am very happy working as a mix engineer and master for other labels, artists and bands so let’s see where I go with that.  Can you tell us a bit about Craft and the production process behind it all? How does this project differ to things you have done before?  "Craft" is a more personal sound, I was a bit bored of working in the studio and always making the same sound, I wanted to do something different ... and Craft is the result of all this. I hope you all enjoy it! On a personal level -- and music aside -- what’s keeping you excited at the moment? As I have previously commented, my Serrano's Kitchen project is the most important thing for me at the moment, our studies and music academy is a fundamental part of my life and surely in my career for the future, when I'm locked up I escape from the world and I don't think about the problems …!  Can you talk us through three pieces of art (music, books, art etc) that worked for you over the past few months? Music from the Beatles, Michael Jackson or Queen are a constant reference for me. The last book I read was ‘The boy with the striped pyjamas’.  https://www.beatport.com/release/craft/3007867 https://www.facebook.com/djdannyserrano/

Danny Serrano

  • ‹
  • 1
  • …
  • 49
  • 50
  • 51
  • 52
  • 53
  • …
  • 59
  • ›
Loading...
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

The Partae © 2026


Back To Top
  • Music
    • NEWS
    • Interviews
    • Festivals & Events
  • Fashion / Culture
  • Stay & Play
  • About
  • Contact Us / Advertise
  • Submit Event