This Is How We Never Die is the refreshingly on-point third instalment from prestigious Sydney producer Chasm. Joined by local and international artists; Chasm approaches beats like a learned artist with a brush, building on classic principles to create evolutionary new music.
aahh: This Is How We Never is the title to this absolute masterpiece of a production album. Explain to us the concept behind the title of the LP and what the you wanted to accomplish with this album? Chasm: The title is taken from a Currensy line I heard on one of his latest tapes, ‘Real music lasts forever, this is how we never die’. I just really like the phrase and I have always loved that idea with music, that it’s a legacy, something you can leave behind when your gone and people can hear it twenty, fifty years later and still feel it.With this album, I was just making music that I was feeling, I was just interested in working with MC’s that I loved and respected and making good soul music, that’s it.
aahh: When did you begin developing the concept to this album and how long did it take you to complete from start to finish? Chasm: I sat down with my manager and kinda said ok let’s do this now, maybe eight months ago, something like that. Before that I just had a verse done here, a verse done there and had a bunch of beats I knew I wanted to use. But I was busy with other projects so it was just a matter of organising a timeline and making the whole thing happen, but once it got underway it came together quite quickly really. For this album I used the MPC 5000, Logic, Maschine, records, a bunch of soft synths and a Moog Source. That was the artillery.
aahh: The emcee’s featured on This Is How We Never Die reads out like a who’s who of hip hop. We’d like to ask you about all the artists involved, but can you just give us a little background on a few of your favourites and how the relationships came about. Chasm: I had a great session with Guilty Simpson and Phat Kat when they were in town, such humble good dudes and we had a dope studio session. Both were inspiring to be in the lab with. Also to collaborate with Lazy Grey, Delta and Brad Strut was for me a huge thing. All legends of the scene and crazy talents so to have them bless my joints was killer. Gappy Ranks was another highlight, he came down to my studio when he was on tour out here, he just vibed on that beat in the lab and wrote and recorded it on the spot, another inspiring session watching him work like that.
aahh: The first single from the album is titled The Truth and features The Tongue, Hau and Dazastah. Tell us a bit about the recording process with this one we hear it was knocked out pretty quickly by the MC’s? Chasm: Yeah Daz had a day booked at 301 studios here in Sydney. He was out here on tour, and had a day in the studio finishing off collabs I think. So he had invited a few people down to work on stuff and asked me to pass through. So I took my MPC down with the original of ‘The Truth’ just chopped really simply on the sampler. When I played the tune those guys were all vibing on it and the energy in the studio was ill that day, just a good creative vibe, so they all ended up writing that afternoon and recording later that night. It was dope. Hau put down the chorus a couple of months later.
aahh: Your no stranger to the music scene in Australia, you’ve released albums with Astronomy Class through Elefant Traks and also solo work through Obese Records including numerous other side projects. What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep producing music? Chasm: I just love music and I love being creative so it’s just something I always will do, even if I get frustrated and sick of the industry, give myself a few days off and I’m excited again to get in the studio and make something. I guess mainly its just hearing music old or new that is inspiring that gets me pumped to make more music, and just life, things in my life motivate me to express myself through the music.
aahh: What was one of the hardest challenges you faced on producing an album like this, especially with its international artists? Chasm: It was just time-consuming organising everyone, making sure I got all the parts back when I needed them and making sure everyone recorded when they said they would.The hardest thing though was the different microphones and booths that were in the mix! For one track you could have two or three different recordings so there was no consistency with the mic and room sound for all the vocals which made it tricky when it came to mixing. Trying to make it all sound cohesive was a tough one.
aahh: You launched This Is How We Never Die at the GoodGod Small Club in Sydney earlier in the month with a host of local names plus a special guest in DJ Neil Armstrong. Tell us about that. Chasm: It was a great night, all my people’s showed up so it was a nice vibe man, I appreciated the love that was shown from the crowd and all the rappers that jumped up with me, it was a mad night, I had a ball. We busted out a bunch of Astronomy Class tunes which is always fun, having Ozi Batla and The Tongue and Sir Robbo on stage and Thundamentals fellas got up and did some older joints that we did together which was cool.
aahh: Four dates have been announced in the This Is How We Never Die tour, are there any more dates planned and do you have any details you’d like to share on that? Chasm: Through July I’ll be touring the country in support of the album. The show will be a sound system style show with Hau on the mic to hype the crowd for me, should be a lot of fun. Will be having guests jump up at certain shows too!
aahh: What’s next for Chasm? We know you have many side projects, will we see say a Dr Don Don album soon? Chasm: Yes Dr Don Don album is pretty much done so gonna drop that after a couple more singles. Astronomy Class are hopefully gonna do an EP this year too and I have some ideas for the next Chasm release so hopefully will begin that too.
This Is How We Never Die is the refreshingly on-point third instalment from prestigious Sydney producer Chasm. True to the quality displayed throughout debut album Beyond the Beat Tape (2008), and Move (with Vida Sunshyne, 2010) Chasm proves himself once more as a consummate composer.
Joined by local and international artists; This Is How We Never Die features USA underground vocal heavyweights AG (Showbiz & AG), Guilty Simpson (Stones Throw), Vast Aire (Def Jux), and Fashawn (One), New Zealand’s Dave Dallas, and Blak Twang (UK). Not to mention an assortment of Australia’s top lyricists including Solo, Lazy Grey, Mdusu, Delta, Dialectrix and Brad Strut.
Chasm approaches beats like a learned artist with a brush, building on classic principles to create evolutionary new music. The collection of beats chosen for the album vary from old to new, moving through down tempo, blunted soul, up-tempo funk, and reggae. The This Is How We Never Die Tour will consist of dates throughout July and August. Chasm will be joined by various contributors from the album in their respective states, and Hau will be onboard for the whole tour!
Tour Dates: Fri 13th July – Mojo’s – Perth Fri 27th July - The Laundry, Melbourne Sat 28th July - Republic Bar, Hobart Fri 3rd August – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane More TBA
This Is How We Never Die is the refreshingly on-point third instalment from prestigious Sydney producer Chasm. True to the quality displayed throughout debut album Beyond the Beat Tape (2008), and Move (with Vida Sunshyne, 2010) Chasm proves himself once more as a consummate composer.
Joined by local and international artists; This Is How We Never Die features USA underground vocal heavyweights AG (Showbiz & AG), Guilty Simpson (Stones Throw), Vast Aire (Def Jux), and Fashawn (One), New Zealand’s Dave Dallas, and Blak Twang (UK). Not to mention an assortment of Australia’s top lyricists including Solo, Lazy Grey, Mdusu, Delta, Dialectrix and Brad Strut.
Chasm approaches beats like a learned artist with a brush, building on classic principles to create evolutionary new music. The collection of beats chosen for the album vary from old to new, moving through down tempo, blunted soul, up-tempo funk, and reggae.
The new clip for the track Smokey lifted from This Is How We Never Die and is produced & directed by Bryce Hooper & Tristan S Edouard.
This Is How We Never Die is the refreshingly on-point third instalment from prestigious Sydney producer Chasm. True to the quality displayed throughout debut album Beyond the Beat Tape (2008), and Move (with Vida Sunshyne, 2010) Chasm proves himself once more as a consummate composer.
Joined by local and international artists; This Is How We Never Die features USA underground vocal heavyweights AG (Showbiz & AG), Guilty Simpson (Stones Throw), Vast Aire (Def Jux), and Fashawn (One), New Zealand’s Dave Dallas, and Blak Twang (UK). Not to mention an assortment of Australia’s top lyricists including Solo, Lazy Grey, Mdusu, Delta, Dialectrix and Brad Strut.
Chasm approaches beats like a learned artist with a brush, building on classic principles to create evolutionary new music. The collection of beats chosen for the album vary from old to new, moving through down tempo, blunted soul, up-tempo funk, and reggae. Lead single The Truth with its eclectic sample combinations, fuses Latin piano loops with brass accents and futuristic synth solos. Bringing a new shine to the art of braggadocio, the track features emcees The Tongue, Hau, and Dazastah.
Vast Aire and Dialect team up on the sample-heavy Intergalactic. The two brilliant rappers attack the beat as it slams alongside an eerie drone, while delicate piano flourishes glint throughout. I Am Legend features the masterful AG and Delta riffing over classic boom bap teamed with driving keys. Lyrically the track is a soulful reminisce to hip hop’s greats and the legacies left and lived by. This Is How We Never Die is certain to be a historical cornerstone reflective of the unifying strength hip hop inspires. A testament to the power an accomplished producer possesses, bringing the most diverse of artists and fans together.
Track List 1. New Day 2. Rusty Griz Feat. Lazy Grey 3. I Am Legend Feat. AG & Delta 4. The Truth Feat. The Tongue, Hau & Dazastah 5. Soldier and a Thinker Feat. Hau & Blak Twang 6. Highs and Lows Feat. Fashawn, Solo & David Dallas 7. Ruthless Feat. Guilty Simpson & Brad Strut 8. Intergalactic Feat. Vast Aire & Dialect 9. Smokey 10. Dreamin Feat. Gappy Ranks & RuCL 11. I See You Feat. Marvin Priest 12. All Lovely Feat. Phat Kat & Mr. Clean 13. King Pin Shottas Feat. Guilty Simpson, Mdusu & Hau 14. We’ve Arrived Feat. Jeswon, Tuka, Skryptcha, Scott Burns, Rinse & Dialectrix
Chasm – This Is How We Never Die is available through Obese Records on April 27.
Chasm’s highly anticpated LP release This Is How We Never Die is due April 27th through Obese Records and features big names such as AG (DITC), Delta, Lazy Grey, Hau, Brad Strut, Guilty Simpson, Fashawn, Solo, Blak Twang, David Dallas and many more.
Chasm is one of the leading hip hop producers in Australia, signed to Obese Records for his solo work and to Elefant Traks for his work with his crew Astronomy Class featuring Ozi Batla and Sir Robbo. Having released 2 crew albums, Exit Strategy (2006) and Pursuit Of Happiness (2009) and 2 solo joints in the last five years Beyond The Beat Tape (2008) & Move, Chasm also has a stack of production credits and remixes to his name.
The Truth is the new single from superlative producer Chasm, the first instalment from his upcoming LP, featuring three of Australia’s most proficient emcees; The Tongue, Hau, and Dazastah, the track is innovative and brazen.
From the get-go the track detonates out of a vocal crescendo into its punchy, progressive party feel. Chasm with his exceptional ear for eclectic sample combinations fuses latin piano loops with brass accents and futuristic synth solos. Bringing a new shine to the art of braggadocio, the three emcees effortlessly glide through verses, each repping his distinctive style with assurance. The Tongue, Hau, and Dazastah all wrote and recorded their verses for The Truth in one day.
Mention Rainman amongst the initiated and the respect attributed to his name is palpable. Recognised nationally as one of Queensland’s finest, Rainman’s list of collaborations, support slots and guest appearances reads like a who’s who of Australian hip hop.
Rainman is poised to drop his second album Bigger Pictures, in stores Friday 4 May through Obese distribution. The album sees Sammsonite (The Optimen) return for the lion’s share of the production but also features some of Australia’s finest beat – smiths including the APRA and AIR Award winning, ARIA nominated Count Bounce (TZU/Urthboy), DJ Bonez, Mangohig (Sietta), Chasm (Astronomy Class), Cam Bluff (Spit Syndicate/The Tongue/Vegas Aces) and Calski. Guest MCs on the record include Muph, Tommy Illfigga, Yuin Huzami (The Coalition Crew), and many more, while Laneous (Laneous & The Family Yah) and Kel on Earth (Bankrupt Billionaires) lend soulful vocals across the album.
Tracklist: 01. Welcome (Intro) Production: Cam Bluff 02. Can’t See You (Feat. Laneous) Production: by Chasm 03. A 1000 Words (Feat. Muph) Production: Rainman & Sammsonite 04. WTF (Feat. Kel on Earth & Yuin Huzami) Production: Sammsonite & Rainman 05. Duck Face (Feat. Kel on Earth) Production: Rainman & Sammsonite 06. Muse Sick (Feat. Laneous) Production: Sammsonite 07. Big Night (Feat. Tommy Illfigga) Production: Rainman & Sammsonite 08. The Valley Production: Rainman & Sammsonite, Cuts: DJ Butcher 09. Everything Ain’t (Feat. Leah Carr) Production: Chasm, Cuts: DJ Butcher 10. Count Blessings Production: Count Bounce 11. The Buzz (Feat. pear) Production: Cam Bluff 12. Darlin’ (Feat. Calski) Production: Calski 13. Move! (Feat. Seven & 4TH) Production: Calski 14. Too Much (Feat. Youka) Production: Mangohig 15. The Bigger Picture Cuts & Production: DJ Bonez
Rainman is also proud to release the brand new film clip for the single The Valley. An ode to Brisbane’s notorious night spot of the same name, the tune and clip were inspired by and filmed amongst the grit and circumstance found in abundance on any seedy inner-city nighttime adventure. In Rainman’s own words: ‘It’s a pretty jaded and sarcastic portrait of the epicentre of Brisbane’s nightlife that is Fortitude Valley. It’s a place I definitely have a love/hate relationship with, having had some of the best times in my life there, along with the worst – and a whole heap in between.’
The release also comes with the announcement that Rainman has officially become a newly minted member of the Born Fresh Records family, joining label mates and album co-conspirators including producer Cam Bluff and MC’s Tommy Illfigga, Yuin Huzami, Seven, Mr Hill and more. The Valley follows on the success of recently released first single Darlin’ which was received strongly across the country; receiving triple j airplay, FBI Radio (Sydney) rotation and widespread praise for what critics are calling a “classic slice of hip-hop” (Sherlock Ohms.org).
Catch Rainman launching the clip at the following dates: Calski (feat. Rainman) supporting Joelistics (TZU) and Diafrix for the ‘Running to Shine’ Tour: Thursday April 12 Beach Hotel Byron Bay 18+ Free Show Friday April 13 Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane 18+ Saturday April 14 Sol Bar, Maroochydore 18+
Calski (feat. Rainman) supporting Dialectrix for the ‘New Generation’ Tour: Friday April 27 The Annandale, Sydney 18+ with Ellesquire Saturday April 28 Great Northern, Newcastle 18+ with Ellesquire Thursday May 3, Juicy, Brisbane 18+
Your favourite label is leading the way with a new system of album sales through the Elefant Traks online store called CD + MPfree. Get a CD or vinyl sent to your letterbox; receive the same album as high quality MP3s in your inbox, free and Immediately!
Downloads and cloud-based consumption is undoubtedly the future, but labels still sell more CDs than digital albums. This is about rewarding those who feel the liner note love and value lyric booklets or signed copies, or the joy of a parcel in the mail. It’s two for the price of one, without devaluing either. Not only are they free, but the MP3s are high quality (320kbps).
This is a permanent feature of the store, from our wonderful new signing The Last Kinection and their record Next of Kin to our Darwin stars Sietta. And yes, The Herd , Horrorshow, Hermitude, The Tongue, Urthboy, Joelistics, Ozi Batla, Unkle Ho, Astronomy Class and more.
After years of humbly impressing Australian audiences as a member of Thundamentals, Rumpunch and Sketch The Rhyme, it’s now time for emcee Tuka to step to the fore and distinguish himself as one of the country’s most exciting lyrical talents. As comfortable rocking over a stomping Gypsy horn line as he is over Dub-Reggae or a driving Boom Bap rhythm. Tuka’s debut LP Will Rap For Tuka is the culmination of years honing his craft, both in written form and performance and delivers one of 2010’s most diverse efforts right before the buzzer sounds. With only two guests on the entire album (Tenth Dan and Radical Son), Tuka really has wholeheartedly taken on the ‘solo’ mantle, with even the cover art being hand drawn by the Sydney emcee. Production comes from Mike Silk, Marz1, DJ Morgs, Brokn, Caustic and Tuka himself.
Your next favourite Emcee-Producer, Tuka’s debut solo set eschews easy comparison and overtly big singles (with the exception of Pro), instead opting for cerebral Jazz and Dub influenced head nodders that tip their hat to producers and projects like early RJD2, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Soul Assasins Volume 1 or Nightmares On Wax. A veteran of the scene, Tuka has played everywhere from Woodford Festival and Sydney Festival’s First Night, to iconic venues The Hordern, The Metro and The Palace Theatre. His approach is both highly melodic and rhythmic in nature, and freestyle comes as naturally as composition – he regularly performs entirely improvised sets, and as a host of triple J’s National Open Mic and guest on FBi’s Stolen Records, he has showcased that ability over national radio more than once or twice. When not on stage or making music, Tuka is a teacher for the NSW TAFE Outreach Program, teaching hip-hop to disadvantaged youth to improve their literacy by encouraging them to express themselves creatively as individuals.
His work with Thundamentals has lead to critical acclaim, from Sydney Morning Herald dubbing them “one of the Top 10 live acts to watch in 2010“, to triple J’s Dom Alessio hailing them “one of the more exciting Aussie hip hop outfits to emerge in the past few years”, Rolling Stone and MTV labeling them one of the top up and coming Aussie acts and iTunes after naming The Mash iTunes Single of the Week, Thundamentals were invited to record an exclusive live EP for fans and competition winners at Sydney’s iTunes store.
Tuka has had the privilege of playing alongside some of the finest local and international acts – to give you a taste, think A Tribe Called Quest (USA), Lyrics Born (USA), Kool Herc (USA), Q-bert (USA), Braintax (UK), Mystro (UK), DJ MK (UK), Supernatural, The Herd, The Red Eyes, Rastawookie,Bliss n Eso, Muph & Plutonic, Chasm, Urthboy, Koolism, Astronomy Class, Pegz, Spit Syndicate, Delta and many more. A collaborator of the highest order, he has worked and recorded with Dialectrix, Two Toes, Chasm and The Tongue.
Tuka’s Will Tap For Tuka is out now through Big Village Records.
You can also catch Tuka in the upcoming Rappertag.
Alternative Energy is the title to your second full length LP dropping today. How are you feeling about the finished product?
I feel like its my best work to date. I’m working with the best producers, I’m writing the best songs of my career, all the guests brought their A-game….I’m really proud of this album…
It’s a slick-looking package for sure, is there any meaning behind the title Alternative Energy?
The human race is headed for disaster….I don’t believe in that 2012 crap but all the signs suggest we need to change our ways. If we don’t find a better way to think/live/treat each other than we are in big trouble. We need to switch from greedy to considerate, from racist to accepting. We need to look for new ways of existing because our current approach is simply not working. Each one of us needs to find our own Alternative Energy.
You’ve just released an amazing film clip for the lead single The Show. What was the creative motivation behind this clip?
That video was a collaboration between myself and the director Prad Deep. We only had 8 days to script, organize and shoot the video…the fact that it turned as great as it did is a testament to Prad and his team’s professionalism. Their company is called Artifact (www.artifactdigital.com.au) They also did the Spit Syndicate “Starry-Eyed” clip, “Nothing To Loose” by Gully Platoon, “I Go” by Jess Harlen and the Astronomy Class”Where You At?” video. Prad is going to be a big director in the future…I can feel it.
We really must mention the beats on Alternative Energy. We see tracks from Dizz 1, P Major, M-Phazes and Kid Fiction, but it’s Elgusto that we see you teaming up with most on AE. What did you think Elgusto could bring to your album?
El Gusto is simply a freak. If you listen to his catalog of music…all the Hermitude albums, all the production he’s done he’s done for Urthboy…there are so many styles, so many fresh sounds. I feel like he is truly original with his production. He’s definitely in the top 3 producers in Australia.
I have nothing but praise for all the other producers, none of whom I had worked with before. They all gave me amazing music, no question. I could write an each on why each of them is dope. The aim of this album was for every beat to sound nothing like ‘Aussie hip hop’ as we know it. I feel like there are too many style of hip hop which are ignored here in Australia…theres too much ‘boom-bap’….while I’m a fan of Bias B, Pegz, Hilltops etc I don’t want the average listener to confuse me with them. I want my own sound. Think about it: If Dizzie Rascal rapped over standard ‘rap’ beats he would never have the success he’s enjoyed…it was by finding his own sound that he separated himself from the pack. I feel like we hit the mark with production on this album…its something fresh for your ears.
I wanted to make a record that would stimulate the listeners body and mind….kinda like when a girl talks dirty into your ear while giving you a really good hand-job.
Was it your idea to put the lyrics in the booklet. We see alot of artist shying away from that these days under fear of lyrical scrutiny.
I express myself through my writing…so I’d like people to be able to read what I write. If you hear a song on the radio once or twice you might miss the more subtle lyrics…if you are at a live show it’s often hard to hear every word. By giving you a lyric-booklet you can see exactly what I’m saying and what I stand for.
The track Proof Of Life gets right on that soulful tip, we loved your approach. How did you feel heading in to the booth to record this one?
Proof Of Life was scary for me to do- obviously I’m not a trained singer nor do I consider myself to be a particularly talented singer. But there are plenty of great artists out there who have average singing voices (Bob Dlyan, Kid Cudi, Tom Waits, Jay from Frenzel Rhomb). They may not sound sweet or hit every note but you can hear the passion and the emotion in their songs.
The music industry is full of people with perfect voices and nothing to say. Also- I feel like Australian hip hop needs more people pushing the envelop…artists shouldn’t be scared to experiment and be themselves…thats how we progress. Too many dudes are putting on an act.
“Alternative Energy” is a cool album because its honest….on some tracks I’m taking the piss, on others I’m damn near crying in the booth rhyming about homelessness. Ask El Gusto…I was choked up while recording “What A Day” because the emotions are all real. People will have a much better sense of who “The Tongue” is after hearing this record.
Oxymoron is one of the stand out tracks lyrically. Here is an example for our readers: “Terrified of cancer, kill for a tan. Hate slave labour still buy the brand”. Do you draw motivation from these types of social and political issues?
That track is about how ridiculous life is. We are all walking contradictions. I AM terrified of getting cancer but I try to get a tan in summer. I don’t eat burnt toast but I do smoke and drink…it makes no sense. We should all be able to admit how back to front our logic is….a lot of people who want to ‘save the whales’ are happy to eat deep-fried chicken.
You just got back from an overseas trip to New York City, what was the highlight?
The whole city is one big highlight. It really does make Sydney seem very tame and conservative in comparison. Every day there is something amazing going on- you go to a bowling alley and Questlove (from The Roots) is djing in the corner…you go to Central Park on a Sunday and Public Enemy are doing a free concert…people there really know how to have fun. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.
I think people would have seen the vision by now, for those who haven’t, at your album announcement things got a little heated and you threw down with some jerk reporter. Will there be any repercussions from this?
He was a dickhead and I’m glad I popped his eyeball. The court case is next month…so lets wait and see what happens….although considering I just admitted I’m guilty (and its on tape) I’m pretty sure I’m going to jail.
Final words?
The single launch for “The Show” will be at the Sandringham Hotel next Friday the 17th in Newtown, Sydney.
We are announcing the national tour next week…I can’t give you details just yet but there’s a good chance it will be a co-headline tour with a big act on Obese Records…we’re coming to all capital cities
1.Alternative Energy is the title to your second full length LP dropping today. How are you feeling about the finished album man?
I feel like its my best work to date. I’m working with the best producers, I’m writing the best songs of my career, all the guests brought their A-game….I’m really proud of this album…
2.It’s a slick looking album for sure, is there any meaning behind the title Alternative Energy? Maybe some cosmic undertones here?
The human race is headed for disaster….I don’t believe in that 2012 crap but all the signs suggest we need to change our ways. If we don’t find a better way to think/live/treat each other then we are in big trouble. We need to switch from greedy to considerate, from racist to accepting. We need to look for new ways of existing because our current approach is simply not working. Each one of us needs to find our own Alternative Energy.
3.You’ve just recently released your film clip to the single The Show, which features some colourfully masked luchadors. What was the creative motivation behind this clip?
That video was a collaboration between myself and the director Prad Deep. We only had 8 days to script, organize and shoot the video…the fact that it turned as great as it did is a testament to Prad and his team’s professionalism. Their company is called Artifact (www.artifactdigital.com.au) They also did the Spit Syndicate “Starry-Eyed” clip, “Nothing To Loose” by Gully Platoon, “I Go” by Jess Harlen and the Astronomy Class”Where You At?” video. Prad is going to be a big director in the future…I can feel it.
4. We really must mention the beats on Alternative Energy. We see tracks from Dizz 1, P Major, M-Phazes and Kid Fiction but it’s Elgusto that we see you teaming up with most on AE. What did you think Elgusto could bring to your album? Innervision beat just makes us want to break out all the crazy bboy moves.
El Gusto is simply a freak. If you listen to his catalog of music…all the Hermitude albums, all the production he’s done he’s done for Urthboy…there are so many styles, so many fresh sounds. I feel like he is truly original with his production. He’s definitely in the top 3 producers in Australia.
I have nothing but praise for all the other producers, none of whom I had worked with before. They all gave me amazing music, no question. I could write an each on why each of them is dope.
The aim of this album was for every beat to sound nothing like ‘Aussie hip hop’ as we know it. I feel like there are too many style of hip hop which are ignored here in Australia…theres too much ‘boom-bap’….while I’m a fan of Bias B, Pegz, Hilltops etc I don’t want the average listener to confuse me with them. I want my own sound. Think about it: If Dizzie Rascal rapped over standard ‘rap’ beats he would never have the success he’s enjoyed…it was by finding his own sound that he separated himself from the pack. I feel like we hit the mark with production on this album…its something fresh for your ears.
5. Did you want an album that people could get their groove on to, or was that just more of a result of the guys you were collabing with?
I wanted to make a record that would stimulate the listeners body and mind….kinda like when a girl talks dirty into your ear while giving you a really good hand-job.
6. Another that plays a big part in the album is the don Joyride, do you feel a bit ripped off that he is featuring on another album dropping today? Nah just kidding what was it like recording with this guy? We keep hearing stories of how talented this dude is.
Joyride is the Nate Dogg of Australian hip hop. He’s a quadruple threat ; singer, rapper, DJ, producer. And he can play a bunch of different instruments…and at 6’10 he doubles as a bodyguard.
7. The album has been described as political, witty, poetic and globally minded and we’d have to agree. Was it your idea to put the lyrics in the booklet. We see alot of artist shying away from that these days under fear of lyrical scrutiny.
I express myself through my writing…so I’d like people to be able to read what I write. If you hear a song on the radio once or twice you might miss the more subtle lyrics…if you are at a live show it’s often hard to hear every word. By giving you a lyric-booklet you can see exactly what I’m saying and what I stand for.
8. The track Proof Of Life is gets right on that soulful tip. The whole album seems like you’ve just tackled it from a whole different angle from previous efforts, did you go into this album wanting to make something completely different from what you’ve done previously or does it come down to more of and evolution for yourself?
Proof Of Life was scary for me to do- obviously I’m not a trained singer nor do I consider myself to be a particularly talented singer. But there are plenty of great artists out there who have average singing voices (Bob Dlyan, Kid Cudi, Tom Waits, Jay from Frenzel Rhomb). They may not sound sweet or hit every note but you can hear the passion and the emotion in their songs.
The music industry is full of people with perfect voices and nothing to say.
Also- I feel like Australian hip hop needs more people pushing the envelop…artists shouldn’t be scared to experiment…thats how we progress.
9. The creative approach to the track Wargames see’s you and Joyride put a fresh spin on the old going out on the town type track. MIA’s hot right? HA Maybe a future team up?
MIA has got her thing going on…but to be honest thats kind of a personal joke as I was seeing a girl who looked like MIA for a while. I don’t know if she’s heard “Wargames” yet…
10. One thing we really enjoyed about the album is that you haven’t at all lost your classic sense of humor. It’s what made us fans, when we first caught you back in the BFS days. Do you think it’s important in life not to take yourself and life to seriously?
I think its important for artist to be themselves. Too many dudes are putting on an act. “Alternative Energy” is a cool album because its honest….on some tracks I’m taking the piss, on others I’m damn near crying in the booth rhyming about homelessness. Ask El Gusto…I was choked up while recording “What A Day” because the emotions are all real. People will have a much better sense of who “The Tongue” is after hearing this record.
11. Oxymoron is one of the stand out tracks lyrically. Here are some lines “Terrified of cancer, kill for a tan. Hate slave labour still buy the brand” then further on in the track This is my home but I’m still an invader”. Do you find alot of motivation from these types of social and political issues?
That track is about how ridiculous life is. We are all walking contradictions. I AM terrified of getting cancer but I try and get a tan in summer. I don’t eat burnt toast but I do smoke and drink…it makes no sense. We should all be able to admit how back to front our logic is….a lot of people who want to ‘save the whales’ are happy to eat deep fried chicken.
12. You just got back from NYC, how was the trip any highlights?
The whole city is one big highlight. It really does make Sydney seem very tame and conservative in comparison. Every day there is something amazing going on- you go to a bowling alley and Questlove (from The Roots) is djing in the corner…you go to Central Park on a Sunday and Public Enemy are doing a free concert…people there really know how to have fun. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.
13. There were recently reports in the media, and I think people would have seen the vision. At your press conference things got a little heated and you threw down with some reporter who just had no idea. Will there be any reprocutions from this?
He was a dickhead and I’m glad I popped his eyeball. The court case is next month so lets wait and see what happens….although considering I just admitted I’m guilty (and its on tape) I’m pretty sure I’m going to jail.
14. Final words (tour album launch etc)
The single launch for “The Show” will be at the Sandringham Hotel next Friday the 17th in Newtown, Sydney.
We are announcing the national tour next week…I can’t give you details just yet but theres a good chance it will be a co-headline tour with a big act on Obese Records…we’re coming to all capital cities
Ozi Batla, frontman for The Herd is venturing out on his first solo tour in support of his debut record Wild Colonial, starting this Friday! Already heavily featured on triple j, Rage, Video Hits and Channel [V], Ozi steps out on stage backed by Sandro, who produced the entire Wild Colonial album.
One of the most lauded and loved emcees in Australia, Ozi Batla has led The Herd and Astronomy Class on multiple National tours and performances at all the major festivals. Most recently he wowed the sold-out crowds at Before Too Long: Paul Kelly Tribute shows at the Forum in Melbourne.
Expect a classic night of golden era influenced hip hop with one of the most accomplished emcees in the country.
Wild Colonial Tour dates:
Friday August 6 Northcote Social Club • Melbourne
with special guest DJ Bonez, 1/6 and Class A MC
Tickets available from here.
Enquiries 03 9486 1677 or via Corner Box Office (57 Swan St, Richmond)
Saturday August 7 Step Inn • Brisbane
with Rainman & DJ Butcher
DJ Katch / DJ Steve B
Tickets available from here or by calling 1300 762 545
Thursday August 12 The Harp • Wollongong
with Loose Change and Swarmy
Tickets available from here or by calling 1300 762 545
Friday August 13 Hotel Gearin • Katoomba
with Loose Change and Swarmy
Tickets available from here or by calling 1300 762 545
Saturday August 14 The Republic • Hobart
with Crixus and DJ Dameza
Tickets available from here 1300 GET TIX or Republic Bar 03 6234 6954
Friday August 20 Prince Of Wales • Bunbury
with Rythm Infinit and DJ Simmo T
Tickets available from here 1300 GET TIX and here.
Saturday August 21 Rocket Room • Perth
with Rythm Infinit and DJ Simmo T
Tickets available from here 1300 GET TIX and here.
Sunday August 22 Mojos Bar • Fremantle
with Rythm Infinit and DJ Simmo T
Tickets available from here 1300 GET TIX and here.
