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Where are you currently based?
I’m based in Melbourne, Australia.
How did you first start playing music?
When I was 10 I started learning the piano. To be honest I found it a bit boring at first but then I started composing my own music on our first [out of tune] piano. So that motivated me to keep learning and I wrote my first song titled ‘Raindrops’ (instrumental) at the age of 10. My brother is an amazing guitarist and my sister a triple-threat, so I knew piano would be my way of being able to match my siblings musically.
What’s been happening recently?
At the beginning of lockdown 1.0 I decided I would teach myself how to record (because of gigs stopping and music teaching moving online). I was missing gigs so I decided to jump on the #Elisecollab with Elise Trouw. My first recording jamming along to her drum sample was favourited and reposted on her page, so that inspired me to improve my home set-up and record a collection of originals.
What influenced the sound and songwriting for your new single ‘Breaking Waves’?
The songwriting process for ‘Breaking Waves’ started just before the beginning of lockdown 1.0. I was down on the Great Ocean Road swimming in the ocean when I was reminded of the action and metaphor, which I have coined ‘Breaking Waves’ as a form of ‘earthing’. The action that leads to the metaphor is: if you stand motionless a wave could crush you, whereas if you break it by diving under the wave you can move onto the next wave. So I wrote the chorus based on this symbol. It was 75% done when I added the bridge at home alluding to the end of the second verse, “sometimes I wish I could just fall in love”. I then demoed the song until I got it to the point where I felt it was ready.
In terms of the sonic influences, I grew up with an older brother who could play everything from Van Halen to Dream Theater, so I started teaching myself how to play classic songs outside of my piano lessons. More recently, the renaissance of retrowave synth sounds in Grammy Award winning albums from the War on Drugs; soundtracks to Netflix series like GLOW and Stranger Things; or even the dreampop being played on Triple J – I decided I would take it a step further and really put the synthwave sound all the way in it. I guess for me lockdown feels like an 80s Sci-Fi flick so I thought I would let those cinematic elements shine through to create a certain nostalgia for my audience.
How did you go about writing Breaking Waves?
I wrote the song on my piano at my home studio, then made some adjustments as I was recording it at the beginning of lockdown 1.
Where and when did you record and who with?
I wrote, recorded and produced the song at home. I then sent it to my producer Harts for mixing/mastering.
How did you approach the recording process?
I started by getting a good home set-up, then I spent some time honing in on the levels to get the best sound.
What programs/instruments did you use to record?
I used Logic Pro X to track. Learning how to use Logic was an upskill for me in lockdown as it was the first time I was able to devote myself entirely to it. I actually didn’t realise how much I had picked up from Harts. So I invested in a great interface and hit the ground running. I used my Nords/Juno to track a swirling Rhodes, some retro synths, and a good microphone to record a single vocal track. It is the first song in which I played & recorded all the parts myself.
Please tell us about the collaborations that you’ve been working on during COVID19 Lockdown:
As I said earlier, one of the positives to come out of lockdown for musicians is that we have the gift of music and the ability to jam (virtually) with artists from all over the world. So whether it’s collaborating with Elise Trouw in the US, recording keys parts for artists in Melbourne or connecting with filmmakers from New York; I have loved creating online, but have also enjoyed having plenty of time to think creatively between sessions (especially as we enter lockdown 2.0 phase 4 in Melbourne, Australia).
What do you like to do away from music?
I love spending time with my cats, going for walks with a good cup of coffee, meditating and watching a good comedy.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
PJ Morton, Jonathon McReynolds, Hayley William’s solo album, HAIM’s new album, Anna of the North, Tori Kelly and a new album produced by Aaron Dessner which some of you might know.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2020?
At this stage I will be releasing something every second month before the end of the year. I can’t reveal too much, but let’s just say I’m going to take y’all on an emotional rollercoaster.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Would have to say the B.East was my og ‘reggie’ (regular) where I would debrief over a sour beer with one of my best mates. I love the music they play, the burgers they make and just the overall vibe.
Pre-order here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thomasbyrne/breaking-waves
Official Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVx0m8G4OMU
Socials Website: https://linktr.ee/thomasbyrnemusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomasbyrnemusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomasbyrnemusic/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mytb24
Bandcamp: https://thomasbyrnemusic.bandcamp.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thomasbyrne_
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Rough Trade Records & Remote Control Records are excited to announce they will be releasing the debut album by Californian group Hello Forever, with two new tracks, on October 2nd, 2020. Check out the video for new track ‘Everything Is So Hard’ via the image below.
Based in Topanga, California, on a piece of land once used by the infamous Sandstone Retreat and free-love nudist commune, the art-pop collective Hello Forever are led by the eccentric, magnetic figure of Samuel Joseph. They live together, in this pastoral setting high above the Pacific Ocean – not far from where Neil Young recorded After the Gold Rush or Captain Beefheart laid down the tracks for Trout Mask Replica, the group forever expanding and contracting, with members coming and going as they please. However, the group adheres to a stringent five day a week rehearsal schedule, they fuse elements of the 60s West Coast sound with a DIY approach to music and creativity which has spawned their remarkable debut album, the aptly titled Whatever It Is. Joseph and company have created a contemporary throwback to a vibrant era with a set of songs that establish the collective’s exquisite harmonies and colourful instrumentation.
Hello Forever’s music is inextricable with the lifestyle and spiritual goals of its participants, a revolving membership that also includes, at various times, collaborators drummer/co-founder Andy Jimenez, Molly Pease, Jaron Crespi, Joey Briggs, Anand Darsie and Lina Kay. Walk into their communal compound and one of the first things one sees is a copy of the late Baba Ram Dass’ counter-culture classic, Be Here Now, perhaps the best description of the collective’s philosophy of life, creativity, art and music.
Sam explains a little about new single ‘Everything Is So Hard’, “It’s difficult to know what to say about this song. It changed how we think about what we can play, and it brought us closer together — because it came from a very raw place and deep suffering. A lot of our songs emerge through a narrow aperture of a very specific experience that drags up a feeling with broad roots — so everything is so hard kinda revealed itself in a moment when I was in a relationship that wasn’t working, but It hurt too much to leave. You know when you want to stay, even though the sadness you feel starts to taint even the good moments? Getting to the end of it feels like a death. I fear death. It kills me sometimes — the dread of the unknown can suck the life out of the beautiful moments that I love so much as to cause me to fear their ending in the first place. It’s a paradox, loving life, fearing death — my life can sometimes be framed by that suffering despite my best intentions. But still I worship it. I cling to it. Somewhere deep in me loves it all through the fog of fear and pain and grief and cruelty and desperation. In the rare spectacular moments, I get caught up, and I go through the fog and get to really get a glimpse of life, and it’s a blessing. It brings me home and sets me off. But it can’t erase the suffering.”
Stream / Download Hello Forever – ‘Everything Is So Hard’: https://helloforever.
Stream / Download / Pre-order Hello Forever – Whatever It Is: https://helloforever.ffm.
Hello Forever – Whatever It Is is out physically on Friday 2 October via Rough Trade / Remote Control Records
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Where are you currently based and what’s the music scene like there?
I’m currently based in Matsumoto, a town in Nagano, about 200km North West of Tokyo, Japan. The music scene here is small, but but the parties are somewhat similar to what you can find in many other places in Japan. Usually tucked away in a building that is hard to find, with a crew that plays an eclectic selection of whatever is going at that particular party. Many of the people here aren’t exclusive to one genre or crew. Cliques exist, but they are loose, and due to the relatively small size of our city, you often find the same people at various different events, regardless of genre or style. It’s a great little scene we have here.
How did you wind up there and how has it been starting fresh in a new country?
Long story short, I ended up moving here to be closer to my wife’s family. Moving here for me was one of the hardest things i’ve ever had to endure. Culture shock is real, and the language barrier is just the beginning. Loads of little cultural nuances like how to act around certain people, and what to do when. Getting into the music scene here was the same as anywhere in terms of going to events and meeting the right people, but learning Japanese has certainly helped me to network a lot more easily. My Japanese isn’t great, but it’s communicative on a basic level, so it gets me by.
How did you first start playing music and how did you evolve into electronic music?
I guess my journey into music isn’t too dissimilar to the way a lot of people got into it. Started piano when I was 7, then the trumpet when I was 9. I picked up a guitar in my teens, started jamming in a garage with mates and all that. I was in a punk band when i was younger. Our claim to fame was opening for Aussie punk-rock legends “Frenzal Rhomb”. That was a rad gig. Electronic music was always a love of mine though, ever since I heard some breaks back in high school. Artists like Sonic Animation and the Resin Dogs were at the start of my journey, but then i really got into trance after hearing an old Gatecrasher compilation – Global Sound System. A little later, I found progressive house, and that was the gateway too all the kinds of house music (and sometimes techno) that I’m into these days. I started producing sometime around 2004 when a friend of mine introduced me to FL Studio. Of course, I downloaded a cracked version and went from there. I only started taking it seriously around 2011 though, and didn’t release my first single until 2014. You can find it on Spotify if you search “musicbyhux”. I still dig the tunes, but thankfully, I’ve since changed my alias.
The music that I play sits somewhere between minimal house and progressive. My favourite music to play is driving progressive, but the people that I DJ to get right into that 909 High hat drive that comes with minimal house, so I find myself playing a lot of that during my sets, even though I like prog more. As far as my own productions, mostly deep, progressive house, with the exception of my latest tune, but more on that in a bit.
Recently, very little on the gigs front due to a certain pandemic that happens to be kind of a big deal, but also, i recently broke my leg pretty badly, so actually i’ve been laid up at home for the last 6 weeks or so. I’ve been limited to my bed and my living room, so i’ve been playing video games, and doing music related stuff in all my spare time (which happens to be most of my time atm) So yeah, I can’t walk, but i can’t complain too much, because it’s been nice to catch up on some stuff, including rest.
Great question. I know that i’ve been wanting to write a peak time tune for a while, but usually everything I write turns out deep, so this one came as a bit of a surprise to me. My inspiration came from all of my friends, family and supporters who have got me this far in my musical journey, hence the title. There are no such things as self-made people. We all stand on the shoulders of giants, and I really wanted to give something back, which is why anyone can pick up this tune for free from my Bandcamp page.
All of it (bar mastering) was done on my laptop, using software, an Apogee duet, some headphones, and some old Behringers, which i used when the neighbours were out.
For this track, most of it was midi-based using software synths. So no actual recording, and I did all of it from my own home. The whole process happened slowly, over the course of about 8 weeks. In the end, I put about 75 hours into it.
I use Logic pro X, and a whole stack of softsynths. My favourites are Spectrasonics’ Trilian, Uhe’s Hive, and one I discovered recently by Waves, called Codex. Apart from that, a lot of one-shot samples for the drums, claps, hats, percussion etc.
You can listen on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, Google… all the major online streaming platforms, and of course Bandcamp, which I mentioned earlier.
Of course I love to chill with family and/or friends, but apart from that, I really love all things to do with coffee. I was a barista in Australia for about 8 years before I came to Japan, and since I’ve been here, i’ve taken up roasting. It’s a whole new challenge, but i love it, and I’ve been starting to roast some really tasty coffee.
Quivver, Ezequiel Arias, Matan Caspi, Deep Active Sound, Dave Pad, Somersault, Toman, Ben Rau, Dirty Culture…heaps of people!
First on my list is to walk again, second is to make more music. Gig-wise, who knows?! Of course I’d love to get out and about again, but nothing is certain at the moment, so we’ll wait and see.
My favourite food is home-made curry. Can’t beat it. Favourite place to hang out is anywhere with the right people, although there is a whisky bar down town called Kadokko. It’s a very small bar, with room for about 8 people, but it has loads of delicious whisky, and it’s cheap, like the budgie! (10 points if you got that movie reference!)
Photo Credit: Captura Obscura / Matt Puccinelli
As their first move for 2020, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets have made another strong impact with the release of their new single, ‘Mr. Prism’. Bounding along with energy from the onset, ‘Mr. Prism’ is relentless in its approach – a fiery reminder of the type of band Psychedelic Porn Crumpets have grown into over the last few years on the road.
Since the release of the band’s third studio album And Now For The Whatchamacallit, the Perth group spent the second half of 2019 on tour through the UK and Europe, before returning to Australia for a summer festival run. Taking advantage of loosening restrictions in WA, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets are using the opportunity to get back to live performing, introducing their new chapter with a run of headline shows this September.
‘Mr. Prism’, full of chaotic builds and irresistible rhythms as it winds through its second half, is wild in its arrangement. The bulk of the songwriting took place at songwriter Jack McEwan’s home in WA, with drums being laid down at Perth’s Tone City Studios, before landing with Michael Jelinek and Brian Lucey. For McEwan, the song was born out of the feverish haze only illness and a crazy tour schedule can bring. “After our last tour of Europe I had a plethora of reasons to see a doctor. First, he thought I had tonsillitis, so prescribed me penicillin, which didn’t help at all. I did Falls Festival over New Year’s and barely got through – turns out I had pneumonia. I was pushing through on all sorts of meds until someone offered me the HMS Hunter.S alternative and I realised no matter how sick I’d ever be, I could never turn one down. Mr. Prism (my sickly fun-fuelled fiend of an alter-ego) was born.”
Jack McEwan, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
2019 was a massive year for Psychedelic Porn Crumpets both at home in Australia and in the international market. A year of sold out shows across North America, UK, Australia and Europe, not to mention spots on lucrative festivals including Splendour in the Grass and Desert Daze, the Psychedelic Porn Crumpets was well received by thousands.
The release of And Now For The Whatchamacallit reaped praise from all corners with support from Triple J, BBC Radio 1, NPR and noted publications including Q, Classic Rock and DIY have further cemented Psychedelic Porn Crumpets as a long lasting musical presence. With over 7 million Spotify streams and over 120k artist profile followers, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets rounded out 2019 triumphantly.
PRAISE FOR PSYCHEDELIC PORN CRUMPETS
“With jubilant tie-dye riffs and squiggly guitar lines around every corner, A Now For The Whatchamacallit is every bit the celebratory psych-rock album it strives to be.”
DIY Mag
“ANFtW is a continuation of the quality we’ve come to expect from them after a brilliant past 3 years of music. It adds some new playfulness to the psychedelic charm of the past albums and is a consistently fun experience to add to their discography.”
Sputnik Music
“PPC don’t so much as throw caution to the wind as they incinerate caution and launch the ashes from the chopper.” Triple J Unearthed, Dave Ruby Howe
“Their music is completely unique and the people who follow them, do so purely upon the respect of their artistic value and incredible showmanship.”
Isolated Nation
“Hailing from the countryside outside of Perth where they have honed their craft in elongated jam sessions and even longer house parties, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets return as a tour de force of spacious musical expression.”
Sungenre
PSYCHEDELIC PORN CRUMPETS TOUR DATES
2020
Tickets on sale 9am AEST Friday 7th August
Tickets @ www.psychedelicporncrumpets.
Friday, September 11th Prince Of Wales Bunbury
Saturday, 12th September Settlers Tavern Margaret River
Friday, 18th September Badlands Perth
2021
2021 will see Psychedelic Porn Crumpets heading around the country supporting Sydney’s Ocean Alley. Originally scheduled to tour nationally in May and June this year, COVID-19 restrictions forced the tour to be rescheduled for February and March next year.
Supporting Ocean Alley
Saturday, February 6th Hordern Pavilion Sydney SOLD OUT
Sunday, February 7th Hordern Pavilion Sydney Tickets
Friday, February 12th Fortitude Music Hall Brisbane SOLD OUT
Saturday, February 13th Fortitude Music Hall Brisbane
Licensed All Ages 6.30pm Show Tickets
Friday, March 5th Fremantle Arts Centre Fremantle Tickets
Friday, March 12th Thebarton Theatre Adelaide Tickets
Wednesday, March 24th Melbourne Arena Melbourne Tickets
‘Mr. Prism’ is released out now!
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
With A-list remixes previously released by Crookers, Sneaky Sound System, K.I.M (of The Presets), and Sinden, the special new remix from Van She Tech is the icing on the cake.
SOSURE MUSIC
HOLLIS PARKER – ‘UPTOWN SUNDAY MORNING (AKA FLASHBACK)’
OUT NOW
It has become a rarity to achieve pure house from an emerging name. It’s the kind of sound you would expect to hear from the pioneers like Kerri Chandler and Dennis Ferrer. Bending a curve in that stereotype is Hollis Parker who is set to release his sophomore LP ‘Newscapism’ this September.
Providing a sneak peak of what’s to come, Hollis Parker is set to release ‘Uptown Sunday Morning (AKA Flashback)’ as the next single from the forthcoming album on July 31st.
Carefully crafting his style, Hollis Parker homes in on the old-school NYC sound with an added hip hop feel and jazz fusion in his productions. Creating a contemporary and fresh approach to music on ‘Uptown Sunday Morning (AKA Flashback)’ he incorporates sub-bass, spoken word and jazz elements.
“This is a track for reminiscing on all of the good times that were had during the relationship. A song to remember all of the lovely moments in the past few years, just flashbacks. Our hero just wants to take a moment to reflect. I called it Uptown Sunday Morning because it reminded me of Harlem early on Sundays, when it’s so still and beautiful up there.” Hollis Parker
Originally from Queens (New York), Hollis Parker’s roots shine through his music. First turning heads and setting standards with his 2014 edit of Roy Ayres dreamy classic ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine, he then released further vinyl only E.Ps on his co-owned imprint SoSure Music. Further progressing himself on the scene with his first critically acclaimed album ‘Last Raw Era’, he used it as an outlet to express his emotions following a breakup in NYC; almost as a form of a musical diary.
Newscapism arrives as a natural extension of his last album, continuing the story but reflecting his final 24 hours in NYC before moving away to a new life in London. Consistently revealing quality material, Hollis Parker’s ‘Newscapism’ is set to follow suit with ‘Uptown Sunday Morning (AKA Flashback) serving as prime example.
Hollis Parker ‘Newscapism’ will be released 18th September via SoSure Music
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Thomas Byrne releases their first track recorded in iso, titled ‘Breaking Waves’. Released August 6 (AEST), the 4-minute lo-fi track was written about defying anxiety, social isolation and unrequited love, “I’m so in love with you; I want you to feel the same.”
Thomas releases ‘Breaking Waves’ with the goal of releasing something every second month before the end of the year. Thomas wrote, recorded and produced the single entirely in isolation at their home studio in Melbourne, Australia. The Official Video for ‘Breaking Waves’, which is currently being filmed in New York, will soon follow after its release. Check out the Official Teaser below.
Thomas Byrne released their debut EP Rewind at the beginning of 2020. Produced by Harts, Rewind has cinematic infusions of psychedelia, brit-pop, lo-fi pop and nu-jazz. Thomas’ music has been likened to that of Jeff Buckley, Radiohead and Tame Impala. With iso-collaborations praised by internationally renowned songwriters such as Elise Trouw, Thomas has been inspired to record a collection of originals yet to be released before the end of 2020.
Mixed & mastered by Harts, ‘Breaking Waves’ will be released digitally with merch to be sold at Thomas’ Bandcamp.
Pre-order here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thomasbyrne/breaking-waves
Official Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVx0m8G4OMU
Socials Website: https://linktr.ee/thomasbyrnemusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomasbyrnemusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomasbyrnemusic/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mytb24
Bandcamp: https://thomasbyrnemusic.bandcamp.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thomasbyrne_
TERMINAL V CONNECT is a multi-platform streaming channel from gargantuan Scottish festival Terminal V that incorporates incredible Live, Virtual and Augmented reality streams from the world’s leading electronic music artists.