Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like there? I live in South Yarra Melbourne surrounded by yummy mummy’s in range drovers. Inspiring stuff. The music scene in strong in though. I’ve been so lucky to be introduced to some incredibly talented producers and musicians that have helped take my music to a place I would never have dreamed of when I was younger. People have been so supportive with my music down here. I’m currently working on a new track with a friend Alex O’Gorman whose a dream to work with. I’m super excited to show put it out. Alex produces and plays bass with Angie McMahon. He’s also just a true gentleman, the kind of people I’ve met in Melbourne. Truly kind people. Also, I live with two musicians, my girlfriend and brother.
How did you first start playing music? My Dad bought Mum an upright piano for her 40th birthday. She never played it. So I always used to pull up the lid and try knock out some early Coldplay tracks. I just taught myself by ear how to play that now cringe song ‘Clocks’. I started playing music by copying the bands I listened to when I was about 8 or 9. Whatever my family was listening to. My brother was heavily into bands like Interpol, Kings of Leon, The Strokes. So that’s what I was trying to play. That was my first time on a piano. My brother played drums. He was 16, I was 9, and I used to sit against his bedroom door tapping out the drums he was playing. Then when ever he’d let me, or if he was out, I’d go into his room and play the drums. So I was playing drums and trying to learn piano really early.
Who or what influences your sound and songwriting? My Brother and girlfriend definitely have a huge influence on my sound. My girlfriend is also a beautiful musician and has really great taste in music so a lot of stuff passes through her, which I love because she’s such a great songwriter. Also my brother, because, well he’s my big brother. You look up to your older bother and he’s always had such great taste in music which led me to some stuff I wouldn’t have heard at a young age if it wasn’t for him. As for what influences my music, I think that ageing has helped. Having new perspectives on life helps with the lyrical parts and the sound just slowly progresses I think. I hope. I write about the relationships around me. One’s involving me and always ones I see.
How do you usually go about writing music? I almost every time start with a drum beat. I might hear a melody in my head first but I always start with the beat then layer everything over the top. I use Linn Drum samples to program the beats into my pedal then layer synthesisers, then take it into the studio and put live instruments over the top. It usually happens really fast. I’m a master of starting songs and not finishing them, but when the right song comes out I’ll finish it because I know it’s ‘the one’ to finish.
Tell us about how your brother has played a part in your sound and musical taste: Your debut single ‘How Many Times’ is out now, where and when did you record? He’s just that classic older brother who influences the little bother. He tried to push me out of music a little bit because he knew how hard it was/is going to be. He’s been in it for nearly 15 years now so it takes it’s toll I guess. But he’s always taught me to be true to myself and reflect that in my music. He always coaches the best stuff out of me. It comes into the studio and plays drums on my tracks and usually ends up co-producing on the work. He’s got incredible ears and knowledge I completely trust his word. Musically.
How did this track come about? A close friend hurt me, I wrote a song about it. I don’t want to delve into it to much. I’ve made plenty of horrible mistakes myself and we’re good friends now. It’s a revenge track. It definitely helped.
You’ve just released a music video for ‘How Many Times’ please tell us how this video came to be: I really wanted to focus on the colours and camera movement in the video. Editing was always going to play a huge role. We just wanted to create something that enhanced the music. Not focus
on story to much, just try and match the image and audio for an easy watch. I hope that’s what we did. It’s no Childish Gambino, ‘This Is America’, it’s more ‘This a halfway house in Kew’. The director Jack Ralph and I just wanted to have fun with it. Not take it to seriously. The shoot ran from 2 pm till 1 am. We shot it it in my friends house which is quite literally the dankest house through winter, and not in a good dank way. A bad dank way.
What do you like to do away from music? Walk dogs, hang out in drive ways. Lawn bowls in the summer. Kick the footy. Shoot hoops. Golf a lot. Snowboard in the winter.
Who are you listening to at the moment? I’m listening to heaps of Randy Newman, Nick Drake and Brian Jones Town Massacre at the moment. Oh and Twin Peaks. I saw them at the Northcote Social Club a few weeks ago and the general feeling between friends was that it was the best show we think we’d ever seen. I know, big call! But it really was. They were just absolutely shredding and having so much fun. I think everyone in the room could feel it.
What do you have planned for the remainder of 2018 going into 2019? I’m currently finishing off my next single which I’m so so excited to release. It’s very different from ‘How Many Times’ energy wise, slower tempo, more instrumental but it’s still super poppy. This one’s got some real creamy bass, heaps of percussion and hopefully will make you want to dim the lights and swing your partner round on the porch. I actually wrote it the day after I saw Michael Kiwanuka at The Corner Hotel. That was also one of the best shows i’ve ever seen, close second behind Twin Peaks. I’m planning on releasing that with a run of shows early Feb next year.
Favourite food and place to hangout? Chicken Pot Pie, (Mum’s specialty). There are some really great parks and trails around the Yarra River just out of the city. I love going there with my girlfriend and all our friends and a couple of dogs they have. That’s quite simply my perfect afternoon. You forget you’re in the city for a moment which is always nice.