Where are you currently based?
I am based in Naarm (Melbourne).
How did you first start playing music?
Off my brothers iPod! And eventually I just figured out how to make my own.
What’s been happening recently?
Well, I’ve been getting used to having a song out again after 5 years and taking it all in. I’ve been working to pay the bills and working on my music!
Your latest single ‘My God’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
I just started off with a simple beat I made and melody. I don’t think anything in particular inspired it. Maybe just lived experience and trying to have fun with the lyrics. I wanted to do some wordplay with pop culture references so the movie ‘Friday’ with Ice Cube and Chris Tucker, Kill Bill, Michael Jordan & Dr Phil influenced that!
How did you go about writing My God?
I love 808’s, and I was playing around with an 808 melody on GarageBand & then experimented with some percussion samples and slam/kick FX and MIDI trumpets and as I was doing the beat making process, I came up with a melody and then wrote lyrics.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
Over a year ago now, I was in a little bedroom and created the demo. I then took the demo to HAMLEY (producer) who beefed everything up and then Matt ‘Xiro’ Fioravanti mixed and mastered it.
How did you approach the recording process?
After having my version of the demo for a while, I got used to the original vocals I did and was pretty set on them being in the final mix. When I’m doing it on my own time I don’t feel pressure because I can take as long as I like and choose my environment. But I had to let go of what I was comfortable with, re-record them better quality and try to have the same energy as the demo which ended up sounding more powerful in the end.
You’ve recently taken a break from music to work on yourself, please tell us about this
process:
When I put my first song ‘Ocean’ out 5 years ago, I didn’t realise the extent of how much I had going on for myself personally and mentally which put a halt on me focusing on my music. I got addicted to drugs and I didn’t know I was addicted until I was really in the depth of it. I made a choice and didn’t realise the implications it would have. When I knew I wanted help, I made a choice to try and get it. I had definitely tried to get help in the past, but when it worked for me is because I wanted it for myself. Music definitely played a big part in my recovery because when the lockdowns hit, I just threw myself into creating music again.
How did you go about teaching yourself to produce and make beats?
GarageBand, and a lot of YouTube tutorials!
Who are you listening to at the moment?
JK-47. I love his realness and lyricism. A new inspiration of mine too! I can’t wait to see him play at First & Forever – A Celebration of Blak Excellence festival in November and all of the other incredible artists on the lineup.
What do you like to do away from music?
Talk to my cat Chonky, spend time with my loved ones, do backyard hairdressing for friends and myself, converse with people and learn how they see the world and experience it and I like stretching/yoga, I just want to do it more regularly!
What’s planned for the remainder of 2022 going into 2023?
Staying focused on my music and getting it out there! I have a hard drive full of songs I’ve been writing and I just can’t wait for the world to hear them. More released music, more time with friends and family, getting back into live performing, keeping healthy and staying open to learning from every experience!
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Asian food, especially dumplings. My favourite place to hangout is in my bedroom studio. Whilst eating dumplings.