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Image: Tori Styles
The follow up to their February debut album Mindless Joy, Melbourne’s LOSER return with new single ‘Upside Down’ today.
With lockdown cancelling their plans to tour Mindless Joy, LOSER brothers Tim and Will Maxwell took to their parents’ garage to build a new home studio from scratch. After coining Restless Noise Studios the duo doubled down, self-recording and producing a new body of work including today’s release. On ‘Upside Down’, the band teamed up with ARIA award winning mixing engineer Anton Hagop, whose work credits include the likes of Silverchair, Powderfinger, Missy Higgins and Birds of Tokyo.
After ‘Upside Down’ premiered via triple j’s Home & Hosed on Monday, today’s official release comes alongside the announce of the official video premiere, happening at 6pm tonight via the Domestic La La youtube channel.
On ‘Upside Down’, Tim Maxwell explains that while their recent album was an introspective exploration on mental health, this track finds LOSER examining the chaos of the world as they see it.
“‘Upside Down’ is about your own personal response to the state of the world. You can either let it consume you, or you can find safety within yourself and watch as the chaos ensues… I guess this is my first political song, I don’t really like to write that way usually but seeing all the news that was shoved down our throats at the time and just being left there to deal with it made me angry,” he shares.
Following the release of Mindless Joy, LOSER performed their album via livestream and were handpicked to support none other than Violent Soho at their sold out Melbourne show in February. Later, mid-year round ups by The Music and Wall Of Sound saw the album classed as one of the Best Of 2020 So Far, meanwhile it recently clocked a nomination for the coveted Australian Music Prize.
LOSER is Tim Maxwell (vocals/guitar), Dragon Maxwell (guitar), Craig Selak (bass), Jake Farrugia (guitar) and Chris Cowburn (drums). ‘Upside Down’ is out now via Domestic La La.
PRAISE FOR ‘MINDLESS JOY’
“A beautiful cross-over of Foo Fighters and Smashing Pumpkins, mixing melancholic guitars with powerfully adamant vocals.”
The Music
“This album has absolutely no lowlights. 9.5/10”
Wall Of Sound
“Mindless Joy harbours a big character, big sound, and even bigger potential for this band to go very, very far. 9/10.”
Hysteria
“There’s something truly remarkable about LOSER’s ability to talk about serious issues while simultaneously making their listeners want to rock out.”
Forte Magazine
http://loser.lnk.to/
https://24hundred.net/
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“There have been some buzz musicians from Perth in the past couple of years. Rest assured Tanaya Harper runs rings around most of them all as both a singer and a songwriter.” – Chris Havercroft, X-Press
Perth’s queen of moody indie rock Tanaya Harper is excited to announce new single ‘Emma’ along with an intimate live performance to a real life audience in her hometown before the year is up. Since releasing her debut EP Some Kinds in 2018 and recent follow up Slow Motion Breakup earlier this year, Tanaya has grown an avid following with her insightful lyricism in the studio and charismatic banter on the stage. Her music resonates with audiences far and wide as she delivers her personal experiences with depression, anxiety and living with bipolar disorder. Now, the rising young artist is thrilled to reveal the next chapter in her songwriting journey with her latest ode to recklessness, ‘Emma’.
Produced by multi-WAM Award-winning producer and engineer Dave Parkin (Jebediah, Abbe May, Spacey Jane) and mastered by William Bowden, ‘Emma’ is a catchy dose of danceable catharsis. Channeling ‘90s indie rock and noughties indie pop, all driven by an edgy garage vibe that packs a punch of present day angst, ‘Emma’ is Tanaya’s first new music since her well-received Slow Motion Breakup EP of this year. Wrapped up in epic riffs and heart pulsing drums, its anthemic sing-along chorus stays with you long after you drop the hairbrush mic.
“Emma is a sad song thinly veiled as a fun song. It’s about a couple months of recklessness I embarked on following a breakup. At the time I felt totally justified in my actions when really, grief and denial were always looming. I was partying pretty hard and having lots of fun with all my friends but once I was alone it would just hit me, all the confusion and unresolved issues and the ‘what ifs?’” – Tanaya Harper
Having supported many admirable musicians, including Alex The Astronaut, Jess Locke and Abbe May, as well as sharing the stage with artists like Stella Donnelly, Lucy Peach and Carla Geneve, plus performing in her bands Bells Rapids and Ghost Care, Tanaya is a true staple of Perth’s live music scene. With a lot of Australia at a live-music standstill in 2020, Western Australian’s can rejoice in the opportunity to see Tanaya Harper live at her upcoming single launch at The Bird, Perth on Friday 20 November with local artists Hannans and Smol Fish supporting, plus a small run of shows in true post-COVID WA touring style. It’s sure to be a special night, so don’t sleep on it.
‘Emma’ is out now via
Spotify / iTunes / Apple Music / Bandcamp
‘Emma’ Single Launch
The Bird – Perth
Friday 20 November
$5 at the door
Hannans: 8:30pm
Smol Fish: 9:30pm
Tanaya Harper: 10:30-11:30pm
The Firestation – Busselton
Saturday 12 December
Free Entry
Six Degrees – Albany
Friday 18 December
Performing solo with Leah Grant
Tanaya Harper – ‘Emma’ Credits
Produced by Dave Parkin
Mastered by William Bowden
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Where are you currently based?
Gold Coast, QLD.
We all picked up our instruments in our teens and played around in multiple bands before forming this one.
Recently, we have been rehearsing constantly in an effort to tighten up our sound for once restrictions lift and we can tour again. We took it as an opportunity to fine tune our live show so that we can be better than we were before.
Originally it was a solo effort from Vocalist/guitarist Jan Nicholas Blom. After playing a few shows here and there I determined that my style was very rhythmic so it would be a benefit to have a rhythm section with me. Once the lineup was solidified, we started pushing the acoustic rock genre into new territory and ended up here.
Once our guitarist, Dylan Brann, switched to the electric guitar and started to have more input in writing, this new sound was born and Apology was one of the first tracks written for the new album. As for the message behind the song, a good friend of mine has been battling with transitioning into sobriety for a long time and with the on again/off again nature of his habits I wanted to put into perspective for those out there who have turned their backs how hard it is for him in his situation and attempt to promote more love, forgiveness and understanding towards the situation.
Our drummer, Kurt Winter, has a little home studio where we tinker with our ideas until they become full songs. This particular track was born out of the reverse piano sound you can hear during the intro. Dylan had nothing else written but by the end of one session walked away with this track in the bag.
We recorded the whole album this time last year with Nik Carpenter at Core Studios on the Gold Coast.
We had the album fully written and recorded during pre-production months before we got into the studio so that the time spent in there would be productive rather than second guessing ourselves. We like to consider ourselves to be over-organised at times haha.
Danny has been lovely to work with and has ideas that we hadn’t considered before which has been important considering we have been mostly self produced up until he got involved. Though, Nik Carpenter had helped us with bits and pieces along the way. Danny has been shaping our arrangements and helping us to understand through his years of knowledge as to how to best position our newer material moving forward to appeal to a wider audience.
We all have varying tastes but recently, I have been listening to a lot of Eden, Greyhaven and Bring Me The Horizon.
Music is pretty much everything for all of us. Outside of it is only really time for our families and day jobs. Jared owns several restaurants, Dylan is in landscaping and Kurt and I both have office jobs within the building industry.
We have more music to release and are in the process of approving several music videos being shot to determine which song comes next. With a bit of luck, restrictions will ease and we can take our show on the road!
It’s no secret to those that know me that the only food that exists is pizza and my favourite place to hang out is in the recording studio.
Artists: R3HAB & Alida
Title: One More Dance
Label: CYB3RPVNK
For his newest single “One More Dance,” electronic music powerhouse R3HAB teamed up with Norwegian singer/songwriter Alida to create a powerful vocal track that will take all of your troubles away. R3HAB cultivates a danceable vibe with deep undulating basslines and breezy melodies, which serve as the perfect backdrop for Alida‘s breathy, soulful vocals. Most listeners will relate to the track’s emotive lyrics, which call to mind having that “one more dance” at your favorite show to gather the strength to face life’s challenges. The new release follows R3HAB‘s remix of Shaggy & Steven Malcom‘s “Fuego” as well as “Am I The Only One” with HRVY & Astrid S and “One Love” with Now United.
“‘One More Dance‘” is about the power of music, which is able to distract you from your pain and to build your courage to overcome your everyday problems. It also works like a drug, that lets you stay in a fantasy for a little bit longer, so press play and get lost in one more dance and get the strength to face whatever situation you’re dealing with.” – R3HAB
“This is one of the first songs we wrote when lockdown started in Los Angeles back in March. A Zoom session with laggy internet between LA and Oslo led to this super on-pulse dance track. I loved working with R3HAB, and we’re so pumped to share this dance track with the world!” – Alida
Dutch/Moroccan DJ and producer Fadi El Ghoul, better known as R3HAB, has been trailblazing his way through dance music for the better part of the last decade. From his breakthrough hit remix of Afrojack, Pitbull and Ne-Yo‘s “Give Me Everything” to his dance anthems, such as “All Around The World (La La La)” and “Lullaby,” which have collectively amassed over 600M streams, to his collaborations with the likes of ZAYN, Andy Grammer, Sofia Carson, Timmy Trumpet and more, R3HAB has proven to be one of the most talented and forward-thinking artists in the game. He partnered with Spotify and GATTÜSO to create the first-ever official “mint” single release. In 2016 he founded his label CYB3RPVNK, which passed one billion streams on its catalog within the first two years since its inception. R3HAB himself continues to evolve and diversify his sound by working with a variety of artists around the globe, experimenting with everything from hip-hop to pop through his collaborations. With his combination of innate artistry and innovative attitude, R3HAB is continuing his journey. Keep an eye out for what’s next!
Alida is a songwriter, vocalist, and artist from Norway, now based in Los Angeles, California. Her passion for singing and creating music began at a young age. At nine years old, Alida started to sing alone in her room, recording herself with a tape recorder. While in secondary school, she decided to focus on music and began to fine-tune her pursuit. It was then when she learned the piano and began writing her own songs. Upon relocating to Los Angeles, Alida began collaborating with various producers, songwriters, and artists, including Noonie Bao, Axident, Big Taste, The Orphanage, Cheat Codes, The Monarch, Loren Gray, Rollo, and Robopop, to name a few. The Norwegian singer co-wrote and was featured on Robin Schulz’s single “In Your Eyes’” which peaked at #1 on US Dance Radio & #5 on European Radio charts. Recent releases include features and co-writing jobs on Matoma‘s “Embrace Your Life” and “Home Now” by Yves V. Alida is an extremely versatile topliner and, with strength in lyric, melody, and concept, can pen records wholly on her own with ease, and she is only getting started.
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TRACKLIST
Intro
Lucid
Nonsense ft. Gabriel LCR
Fruit
Ego ft. Onlysu
NBA
Lullaby
Hancoq
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | Soundcloud
Mirage Records
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Soundcloud
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Countless extraordinary moments have already been showcased across the first three episodes of The Sound’s second season; Missy Higgins unveiled her ode to Melbourne from an early morning Flinders Street Station, The Avalanches performed latest single ‘Interstellar Love’ featuring Texan soul extraordinaire Leon Bridges; filmed live at Melbourne’s Planetarium.
A stunning a cappella from rising star Mia Wray made jaws drop around the country, while NAIDOC Week’s breathtaking tribute to Warumpi Band ft. Christine Anu, Zaachariaha Fielding (Electric Fields), Ngaiire, and Emma Donovan sent a shiver down the spine, plus, outstanding one-off moments from Kylie Minogue, Thelma Plum, Vera Blue, Midnight Oil, DMA’S and more.
The Sound continues to serve up tasty star-studded feasts of Australian talent week on week, with Episode 4 coming in hot this Sunday 22 November at 6pm. Tune into ABC and iview to catch:
- Global powerhouse Tones And I needs no introduction. The multiple ARIA Award-winning, multi-platinum singer-songwriter who has amassed over 7 billion global streams of her hit single ‘Dance Monkey’ alone, will be joined by G Flip, Melbourne folk duo Pierce Brothers and singer-songwriter Adrian Eagle bringing unique vocals to life on Tones’ brand new single ‘Fly Away’
- Music legend Jimmy Barnes is joined by the Australian Chamber Orchestra for a dramatic rendition of his song ‘Killing Time’, which shares its title with his new book Killing Time, Short Stories from the Long Road Home. A master storyteller, Barnes and the ACO perform from Sydney’s iconic State Theatre
- Known for his genuine grassroots story, Sunshine Coast-raised Ziggy Alberts explores themes of love, friendship and connection with the natural environment through his songwriting. On Sunday evening, he brings us the uplifting ‘Together’
- Julia Jacklin’s majestic musical stylings have earned her critical praise both locally and abroad. Released last month, ‘to Perth, before the border closes’ is an attempt to process a new altered reality, her words painting a vivid picture of a changed world. She performs exclusively for The Sound from the spectacular Blue Mountains
- With an anticipated second studio album Chrysalis just released and with close to 12 million Spotify streams for 2018 single ‘Strangers’ under her belt, rising talent Tia Gostelow is fast becoming a global sensation. She performs her latest single ‘Psycho’ from Brisbane
- One of country music’s most exciting breakthrough artists, Queensland-based Casey Barnes has had a cracker of a year. His latest album Town Of A Million Dreams topped ARIA and iTunes Country Charts on release, he nabbed a Gold Coast Music Award and has received his first nomination for the 2020 ARIA Awards. Following on from 2 x No.1 singles, Casey and his band perform uplifting country-rock gem, ‘Bright Lights’ from Brisbane’s Riverstage
- Born and raised near Sydney’s Northern Beaches, uniquely refreshing singer-songwriter Azure Ryder will take to the Hunter Valley this week to perform lead single ‘Petty Isn’t Pretty’ from her forthcoming EP ‘Crazy With The Light’, due for release this Friday 20 November
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Tell your friends because it’s time to start planning! The 2021 line up for The Mountain Goat Valley Crawl is finally here and it’s safe to say it’s one that will quench your thirst for live music.
Graze your way through the multi-venue festival, Saturday 6 February 2021.
Brisbane locals will be treated to the ultimate live music crawl packed to the brim of the best free acts the city has to offer. Your herd can weave their way through Brunswick, Wickham, Warner and Ann St to experience some of Australia’s best music. With 42 artists performing across 10 iconic Brisbane venues including two new crawl additions: The Outpost and O’Skulligans (previously, Barbara), as well as re-inviting town favourites The Zoo and Ric’s Bar.
This year the goat invites punters to bliss out to new indie queen on the block and triple j unearthed High winner George Alice, dance along to the pop stylings of Heaps Good Friends, rock out with Concrete Surfers and revisit some classics with Velociraptor. The stacked lineup will have you rocking, dancing and bopping to a selection of various genres, so you’re sure to leave the night with a new rising favourite. This year the festival will be working with Oztix as well as operating within the COVID safe government regulations. Organisers advise festival attendees that each venue will work on a first-in best-dressed basis, so make sure to plan ahead.
Grab your festie besties and prepare for a night of good beer, good tunes and even better mems. RSVP now to The Mountain Goat Valley Crawl 2021 via Oztix.
18+ EVENT
SAT 6 FEB | 5PM – MIDNIGHT
FREE ENTRY
VENUES
BLACK BEAR LODGE
BLUTES
THE BRIGHTSIDE
THE BRIGHTSIDE (OUTDOORS)
GREASER
RIC’S BAR
O’SKULLIGANS
THE FOUNDRY
THE VALLEY DRIVE-IN
THE ZOO
ARTISTS
George Alice
Concrete Surfers
Heaps Good Friends
Velociraptor
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers
Teenage Joans
Ayla
Austen
Waxflower
BANFF
Debbies
RINSE
OK Hotel
Greatest Hits
The Flowers
Syrup
Sunflower
WALKEN
Sunbather
Daggy Man
Order Sixty6
Lexicon
Colourblind
June
Alt Fiction
Mum Friends
Flamingo Blonde
Victor Bravo
HANNI
Ricky Albeck & The Belair Line Band
Yb.
PNK FME
GENES
Porcelain Boy
Citrus Daze
Pure Milk
Ashgroove
Pipin
Sachém
Oh Bailey
Paris Irwin
Mouse
Photo credit: Vic Lentaigne
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Romy
Website | Instagram | Twitter
theyoungturks.co.uk
remotecontrolrecords.com.au
“As debut albums go, Yours To Lend is quite polished and assured in it’s delivery.”
– Simon Clark, The AU Review
“there’s lots to like about this from dutch monks, it’s got plenty of heart and oomph.”
– Declan Byrne, Triple j Unearthed
Yours to Lend, the debut album from transcontinental duo, Dutch Monks, is a complete and polished body of work that showcases the band’s incredible musical connection. It contains a vast mixture of emotions, grooves, tempos, and textures. Jesse Rudd-Schmidt’s tactful lyrics take the listener through the emotions of relationships and loss, while Thijs Flinsenberg’s intricate piano lines are a stand out, ducking in and out of the lyrical journey and providing melodic highlights throughout.
From the thundering introduction of the opening track “Storm”, and past the catchy indie pop rock bop of their debut single “Colour Blind”, lies a middle section that takes the listener into the heartfelt emotions of the album’s title track, describing the loss of a loved one to cancer and the effects on all of those around. Lead single “Colour Blind” was quickly snapped up by radio stations which saw the band picking up spins on both community and commercial radio.
“Dutch Monks have quickly established a charming M.O, blending the upbeat jaunt of classic Aussie indie rock with raw thematics’.” – Tiana Speter, The Soundcheck
The album finishes off strong with the current up-tempo single “Never! Not Anyone”, and a final lullaby that serenades the listener to the sounds of acoustic guitar and harmonica on the track “Rory”, an ode to a tormented and heartbroken relationship.
“What an incredible experience! Recording a full length album has always been a huge dream of mine, ever since I started writing songs over 15 years ago.
After meeting Thijs and developing such a strong musical connection it allowed all these songs that I had written over the last decade to take a whole new shape, maturing from simple vocals and guitar into much richer sounds with intricate chordal layers and harmonies. And then to have some super talented session musicians add their flavour to it in the studio, it has just ended up something I am completely happy with which I’ve never had before. I’ve always listened back to previous recordings and wanted to improve this and that and tidy it up more. But with all the work we put into the production of this album we’ve already done that. I wouldn’t change a thing on the whole 10 track album.
It’s kind of emotional for me really, because lyrically it tells the story of my twenties… the highs and the lows! I really hope people can connect with the whole range of emotions captured on the album and enjoy what we have made.”
– Jesse Rudd-Schmidt (guitar/vocals)
Jesse is a singer-songwriter from Melbourne, and Thijs, a pianist from Utrecht, the Netherlands. In a stroke of luck, professional work led Thijs to Australia where he met Jesse. For around two years they both worked together in medical research at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. After playing together once after work, a strong musical bond was formed.
Yours to Lend is an album full of heart and has something there for everyone to enjoy.
Website – Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Spotify – YouTube – Apple Music – Soundcloud – Triple j Unearthed – Bandcamp
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“‘God Made You Strange’ is about letting go of the trappings of social acceptance or the rejection that houses you! And when I say you, I also mean me! It’s about embracing all of those unique things that put you outside the box, the beauty of your authenticity and nature … and not hiding away.
“I started writing this song knowing, it could easily be a letter to my teenage self or to my son or just plain old anyone with shoes. High school to me, felt like I was walking down a broken escalator, in a busy mall while (for some reason) just in my underwear, as people all around me started coming over to point and laugh. I was super awkward and I was uncertain of my future. I was dropping out of school, failing my classes, pretending I needed to go to the bathroom just to breathe. God Made You Strange is a call out to anyone who needs to keep stepping out, a little bit of encouragement… it’s a personal anthem of some my story.”
Today’s release follows earlier songs ‘Once Upon A Hilltop’ and ‘Alone Together’, from Shacks & Palaces, two colourfully spirited tunes premiered at Billboard and Consequence of Sound respectively.
The Australian-born, Brooklyn-based artist creates buoyant, folk-informed indie pop, sparkling with likenesses to eclectic icons from Modest Mouse to Beach Boys, Dr. Dog to Hamilton Leithauser. The music ranges from infectious to truly exultant, a blissful blend of bouncing melodies, boomerang hooks and colourful production. Aherne’s voice — a jubilant, stony sort of roar — is recognisable from his contributions to the mid-aughts sensation, but here rings absolutely reckless with spirit.
LISTEN/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CX1LqXonRs
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Where are you currently based?
I’m currently living out of my car, so I guess kinda based nowhere atm. I’m on a road trip along the central coast from Sydney, completing my mixtape, stopping in towns along the way from Sydney to work with artists like Airports, Lovemedo, Doolie and more.
I started writing my own songs in 2013. I was selling handbags out of the back of my station wagon to ladies boutiques along the south coast and was listening to Bertie Blackman’s 2014 ‘The Dash’ album on repeat. When I couldn’t listen to it anymore, I started singing my own songs I’d make up on the drive and then record voice memos on my phone in motel rooms, using cutlery and plates to create beats. I posted an ad on gumtree and met Ben and started my first band, Bec and Ben. Ben was a music teacher so he taught me to play the drums and I converted my floor kit to stand up kit with my bass drum on legs and full body configuration so I could dance and sing whilst playing. Then I taught myself acoustic guitar on a cruise ship I went on with my brother (who bought a 21-day romantic cruise for him and his girlfriend, but then they broke up so he took me). From there I started RACKETT and moved towards the electric guitar and now I take my midilab and laptop with me everywhere.
At the start of covid, I conceptualised, cast and produced a digital TV series called ‘Loud n Queer TV’ in partnership and with Heaps Gay and Create or Die, which I just found out has been nominated for an FBI SMAC AWARD. It was focused on giving artists from LGBTQIA community a platform during venue foreclusore and I produced over 60+ artists on the show over 3 seasons. Once that wrapped in September I started making my mixtape. At first, it was just an opportunity to refocus on writing music, but I was exploding with melodies and lyrics and every session I did with a new artist would produce a song that felt ready to release. Over 8 weeks I’ve worked with Taka Perry, Kim Moyes (The Presets), Jim Eliot (Ellie Goulding, EAST), Muki, No Frills Twins, Tasker, Clara Fable, Joesph Delahoyde, Korkey Buchek, Airports, Lucy Nevile, Cam Nacson, Xira and more. Covid gave me an opportunity to fully focus on what my life might look like as a full-time songwriter and cement my desire to make that happen.
Beks is an extension of myself personally. I’ve been on a journey of self-discovery through music, writing with producers and artists from all around the world. I’ve been writing so much music that has informed me more about who I am as an independent songwriter and what I can create with confidence in myself. I’ve chosen to adopt my new artist name Beks to signify a new era for me as a songwriter. A new beginning, one that will carry my new work cohesively into the future.
Stars in My Eyes is based on a personal confession or realisation I had the day before entering the studio. I’ve always struggled to balance my personal life with my music, the latter taking priority. Finding myself in a familiar cycle of imbalance, holding onto the threads of an unravelling relationship, revealed a phrase that felt symbolic of my fantastical obsession with music; ‘I’ve got stars in my eyes’. This phrase became the closing statement of the relationship and the beginning of the story told in the song. Sound wise, this song was really inspired by my playlist, its a mash-up of all these influences – https://open.spotify.com/
How did you go about writing ‘Stars in My Eyes’?
Tasker and I had never worked together so I wasn’t sure what would come out of the session. We both went into the studio in Marrickville with no pre-made ideas and walked out 4 hours later with ‘Stars in My Eyes’ completed top to bottom.
Expect full pop vibes.
I’ve worked with Taka Perry, Kim Moyes (The Presets), Jim Eliot (Ellie Goulding, EAST), Muki, No Frills Twins, Tasker, Clara Fable, Joesph Delahoyde, Korkey Buchek, Airports, Lucy Nevile, Cam Nacson, Xira and more, both in person and over Zoom, to create my upcoming, 12 track mixtape set for release in 2021.
Everything I’m listing to is here, it’s a pretty rad playlist with mostly pop artists from Australia and some OS icons like Charli XCX, Dorian Electra, Caroline Polachek. https://open.
I love fashion and design and film so when I’m not actually making music, I’m working with local designers and filmmakers for visuals for my music, so umm, music. I have no balance, I work 7 days a week on my art, so it’s music or sleeping and going on the occasional date if I’m lucky.
I’m the road finishing off my mixtape. Writing a lot of KPOP songs for briefs for other artists OS and trying to have a love life/personal life to draw inspiration from. Generally doing my daily affirmations and trying to connect with more people through my music and sustain the indie grind.